Virion envelope content, infectivity, and neutralization sensitivity of simian immunodeficiency virus

A truncating E767stop mutation was introduced into the envelope glycoprotein of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) strain SIV239-M5 (moderately sensitive to antibody-mediated neutralization and lacking five sites for N-linked carbohydrate attachment) and strain SIV316 (very sensitive to neutralization, with eight amino acid changes from the neutralization-resistant parental molecular clone, SIV239). The truncating mutation increased Env content in virions, increased infectivity, and decreased sensitivity to antibody-mediated neutralization in both strains. However, the magnitude of the effect on infectivity and neutralization sensitivity differed considerably between the two strains. In the context of strain SIV239-M5, truncation increased Env content in virions approximately 10-fold and infectivity in a reporter cell assay 24-fold. The truncated SIV239-M5 was only slightly more resistant to neutralization by polyclonal monkey sera and by monoclonal antibodies than SIV239-M5 with a full-length envelope glycoprotein. In the context of strain SIV316, truncation increased infectivity a dramatic 480-fold, while envelope content in virions was increased only about 14-fold. This dramatic increase in infectivity cannot be simply explained by the increase in envelope content and is likely due to an increase in inherent infectivity, i.e., infectivity per spike, that results from truncation. The truncated SIV316 was extremely resistant to antibody-mediated neutralization. In fact, it was not neutralized by any of the antibodies tested. When increasing amounts of SIV316 envelope glycoprotein (full length) were provided in trans to SIV316, infectivity was increased and sensitivity to neutralization was decreased, but to nowhere near the degree that was obtained when truncated SIV316 envelope glycoprotein was used. Truncated forms of SIV239 and SIV239-M5 required higher levels of soluble CD4 for inhibition of infection than their nontruncated forms; truncated SIV316 did not. Our results suggest that envelope content in SIV virions, infectivity, and resistance to antibody-mediated neutralization can be increased not only by truncation of the cytoplasmic domain but also by provision of excess envelope in trans. The striking increase in infectivity that results from truncation in the context of SIV316 appears to be due principally to an increase in inherent infectivity per spike.     

Impact of mutations in the coreceptor binding site on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 fusion, infection, and entry inhibitor sensitivity

An increasingly large number of antiviral agents that prevent entry of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) into cells are in preclinical and clinical development. The envelope (Env) protein of HIV is the major viral determinant that affects sensitivity to these compounds. To understand how changes in Env can impact entry inhibitor sensitivity, we introduced six mutations into the conserved coreceptor binding site of the R5 HIV-1 strain YU-2 and measured the effect of these changes on CD4 and coreceptor binding, membrane fusion levels and rates, virus infection, and sensitivity to the fusion inhibitors enfuvirtide (T-20) and T-1249, the CCR5 inhibitor TAK-779, and an antibody to CD4. The mutations had little effect on CD4 binding but reduced CCR5 binding to various extents. In general, reductions in coreceptor binding efficiency resulted in slower fusion kinetics and increased sensitivity to TAK-779 and enfuvirtide. In addition, low CCR5 binding usually reduced overall fusion and infection levels. However, one mutation adjacent to the bridging sheet beta21 strand, P438A, had little effect on fusion activity, fusion rate, infectivity, or sensitivity to enfuvirtide or T-1249 despite causing a marked reduction in CCR5 binding and a significant increase in TAK-779 sensitivity. Thus, our findings indicate that changes in the coreceptor binding site of Env can modulate its fusion activity, infectivity, and entry inhibitor sensitivity by multiple mechanisms and suggest that reductions in coreceptor binding do not always result in prolonged fusion kinetics and increased sensitivity to enfuvirtide.     

Replicative function and neutralization sensitivity of envelope glycoproteins from primary and T-cell line-passaged human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolates.

The structure, replicative properties, and sensitivity to neutralization by soluble CD4 and monoclonal antibodies were examined for molecularly cloned envelope glycoproteins derived from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) viruses either isolated directly from patients or passaged in T-cell lines. Complementation of virus entry into peripheral blood mononuclear cell targets by primary patient envelope glycoproteins exhibited efficiencies ranging from that observed for the HXBc2 envelope glycoproteins, which are derived from a T-cell line-passaged virus, to approximately fivefold-lower values. The ability of the envelope glycoproteins to complement virus entry roughly correlated with sensitivity to neutralization by soluble CD4. Laboratory-adapted viruses were sensitive to neutralization by monoclonal antibodies directed against the CD4-binding site and the third variable (V3) loop of the gp120 glycoprotein. By comparison, viruses with envelope glycoproteins from primary patient isolates exhibited decreased sensitivity to neutralization by these monoclonal antibodies; for these viruses, neutralization sensitivity correlated with replicative ability. Subinhibitory concentrations of soluble CD4 and a CD4-binding site-directed antibody significantly enhanced the entry of viruses containing envelope glycoproteins from some primary patient isolates. The sensitivity of viruses containing the different envelope glycoproteins to neutralization by soluble CD4 or monoclonal antibodies could be predicted by assays dependent on the binding of the inhibitory molecule to the oligomeric envelope glycoprotein complex but less well by assays measuring binding to the monomeric gp120 glycoprotein. These results indicate that the intrinsic structure of the oligomeric envelope glycoprotein complex of primary HIV-1 isolates, while often less than optimal with respect to the mediation of early events in virus replication, allows a relative degree of resistance to neutralizing antibodies. The interplay of selective forces for higher virus replication efficiency and resistance to neutralizing antibodies could explain the temporal course described for the in vivo emergence of HIV-1 isolates with differing phenotypes.     

Increased neutralization sensitivity of CD4-independent human immunodeficiency virus variants

Naturally occurring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) variants require the presence of CD4 and specific chemokine receptors to enter a cell. In the laboratory, HIV-1 variants that are capable of bypassing CD4 and utilizing only the CCR5 chemokine receptor for virus entry have been generated. Here we report that these CD4-independent viruses are significantly more sensitive to neutralization by soluble CD4 and a variety of antibodies. The same amino acid changes in the HIV-1 gp120 envelope glycoprotein determined CD4 independence and neutralization sensitivity. The CD4-independent envelope glycoproteins exhibited higher affinity for antibodies against CD4-induced gp120 epitopes but not other neutralizing ligands. The CD4-independent envelope glycoproteins did not exhibit increased lability relative to the wild-type envelope glycoproteins. The utilization of two receptors apparently allows HIV-1 to maintain a more neutralization-resistant state prior to engaging CD4 on the target cell, explaining the rarity of CD4 independence in wild-type HIV-1.     

Effect of the cytoplasmic domain of the simian immunodeficiency virus envelope protein on incorporation of heterologous envelope proteins and sensitivity to neutralization

In addition to the viral envelope (Env) proteins, host cell-derived proteins have been reported to be present in human immunodeficiency virus and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) envelopes, and it has been postulated that they may play a role in infection. We investigated whether the incorporation of host cell proteins is affected by the structure and level of incorporation of viral Env proteins. To compare the cellular components incorporated into SIV particles and how this is influenced by the structure of the cytoplasmic domain, we compared SIV virions with full-length and truncated Env proteins. The levels of HLA-I and HLA-II molecules were found to be significantly (15- to 25-fold) higher in virions with full-length Env than in those with a truncated Env. Virions with a truncated Env were also found to be less susceptible to neutralization by specific antibodies against HLA-I or HLA-II proteins. We also compared the level of incorporation into SIV virions of a coexpressed heterologous viral glycoprotein, the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) protein. We found that SIV infection of cells expressing influenza virus HA resulted in the production of phenotypically mixed SIV virions containing influenza virus HA as well as SIV envelope proteins. The HA proteins were more effectively incorporated into virions with full-length Env than in virions with truncated Env. The phenotypically mixed particles with full-length Env, containing higher levels of HA, were sensitive to neutralization with anti-HA antibody, whereas virions with truncated Env proteins and containing lower levels of HA were more resistant to neutralization by anti-HA antibody. In contrast, SIV virions with truncated Env proteins were found to be highly sensitive to neutralization by antisera to SIV, whereas virions with full-length Env proteins were relatively resistant to neutralization. These results indicate that the cytoplasmic domain of SIV Env affects the incorporation of cellular as well as heterologous viral membrane proteins into the SIV envelope and may be an important determinant of the sensitivity of the virus to neutralizing antibodies.     

Mutations in envelope gp120 can impact proteolytic processing of the gp160 precursor and thereby affect neutralization sensitivity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 pseudoviruses

The design of an efficient human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) immunogen able to generate broad neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) remains an elusive goal. As more data emerge, it is becoming apparent that one important aspect of such an immunogen will be the proper representation of the envelope protein (Env) as it exists on native virions. Important questions that are yet to be fully addressed include what factors dictate Env processing, how different Env forms are represented on the virion, and ultimately how these issues influence the development and efficacy of NAbs. Recent data have begun to illuminate the extent to which changes in gp41 can impact the overall structure and neutralizing sensitivity of Env. Here, we present evidence to suggest that minor mutations in gp120 can significantly impact Env processing. We analyzed the gp120 sequences of 20 env variants that evolved in multiple macaques over 8 months of infection with simian/human immunodeficiency virus 89.6P. Variant gp120 sequences were subcloned into gp160 expression plasmids with identical cleavage motifs and gp41 sequences. Cells cotransfected with these plasmids and Δenv genomes were able to produce competent virus. The resulting pseudoviruses incorporated high levels of Env onto virions that exhibited a range of degrees of virion-associated Env cleavage (15 to 40%). Higher levels of cleavage correlated with increased infectivity and increased resistance to macaque plasma, HIV immunoglobulin, soluble CD4, and human monoclonal antibodies 4E10, 2F5, and b12. Based on these data, we discuss a model whereby changes in gp120 of 89.6P impact Env processing and thereby mediate escape from a range of neutralizing agents.     

Relationships between CD4 independence, neutralization sensitivity, and exposure of a CD4-induced epitope in a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope protein

A CD4-independent version of the X4 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) HXBc2 envelope (Env) protein, termed 8x, mediates infection of CD4-negative, CXCR4-positive cells, binds directly to CXCR4 in the absence of CD4 due to constitutive exposure of a conserved coreceptor binding site in the gp120 subunit, and is more sensitive to antibody-mediated neutralization. To study the relationships between CD4 independence, neutralization sensitivity, and exposure of CD4-induced epitopes associated with the coreceptor binding site, we generated a large panel of Env mutants and chimeras between 8x and its CD4-dependent parent, HXBc2. We found that a frameshift mutation just proximal to the gp41 cytoplasmic domain in 8x Env was necessary but not sufficient for CD4 independence and led to increased exposure of the coreceptor binding site. In the presence of this altered cytoplasmic domain, single amino acid changes in either the 8x V3 (V320I) or V4/C4 (N386K) regions imparted CD4 independence, with other changes playing a modulatory role. The N386K mutation resulted in loss of an N-linked glycosylation site, but additional mutagenesis showed that it was the presence of a lysine rather than loss of the glycosylation site that contributed to CD4 independence. However, loss of the glycosylation site alone was sufficient to render Env neutralization sensitive, providing additional evidence that carbohydrate structures shield important neutralization determinants. Exposure of the CD4-induced epitope recognized by monoclonal antibody 17b and which overlaps the coreceptor binding site was highly sensitive to an R298K mutation at the base of the V3 loop and was often but not always associated with CD4 independence. Finally, while not all neutralization-sensitive Envs were CD4 independent, all CD4-independent Envs exhibited enhanced sensitivity to neutralization by HIV-1-positive human sera, indicating that the humoral immune response can exert strong selective pressure against the CD4-independent phenotype in vivo. Whether this can be used to advantage in designing more effective immunogens remains to be seen.     

Stoichiometry of envelope glycoprotein trimers in the entry of human immunodeficiency virus type 1

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoproteins (Envs) function as a trimer, mediating virus entry by promoting the fusion of the viral and target cell membranes. HIV-1 Env trimers induce membrane fusion through a pH-independent pathway driven by the interaction between an Env trimer and its cellular receptors, CD4 and CCR5/CXCR4. We studied viruses with mixed heterotrimers of wild-type and dominant-negative Envs to determine the number (T) of Env trimers required for HIV-1 entry. To our surprise, we found that a single Env trimer is capable of supporting HIV-1 entry; i.e., T = 1. A similar approach was applied to investigate the entry stoichiometry of envelope glycoproteins from amphotropic murine leukemia virus (A-MLV), avian sarcoma/leukosis virus type A (ASLV-A), and influenza A virus. When pseudotyped on HIV-1 virions, the A-MLV and ASLV-A Envs also exhibit a T = 1 entry stoichiometry. In contrast, eight to nine influenza A virus hemagglutinin trimers function cooperatively to achieve membrane fusion and virus entry, using a pH-dependent pathway. The different entry requirements for cooperativity among Env trimers for retroviruses and influenza A virus may influence viral strategies for replication and evasion of the immune system.     

Natural variation in the V3 crown of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 affects replicative fitness and entry inhibitor sensitivity

Natural polymorphisms in the heterogeneous human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein may have an impact on both sensitivity to entry inhibitors and viral replicative fitness. Of significant interest is variation in the V3 crown due to its involvement in direct engagement with the coreceptor. Two positions in the crown (318 and 319) appear to be important in determining intrinsic susceptibility to multiple entry inhibitors. Thus, we evaluated a series of natural polymorphisms at positions 318 and 319 in three distinct CCR5-tropic envelope genetic backgrounds to address their role in replicative fitness and sensitivity to entry inhibitors. Change at position 319 to each of the three major consensus amino acids (A, T, and R) resulted in variation in sensitivity to entry inhibitors and altered replicative fitness, but the effects of any one amino acid depended on the envelope context. Change of the nearly invariant tyrosine at position 318 to a rare arginine resulted in increased sensitivity to entry inhibitors and decreased replicative fitness independent of envelope context. Polymorphisms in the V3 crown that showed increased susceptibility to entry inhibitors also exhibited decreased entry efficiency, replicative fitness in primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and ability to replicate in primary macrophages. These findings suggest that differences in coreceptor affinity and/or avidity may underlie these phenotypic characteristics.     

Contribution of virion ICAM-1 to human immunodeficiency virus infectivity and sensitivity to neutralization.

Incorporation of the intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1 into human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) particles increased virus infectivity on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by two- to sevenfold. The degree of ICAM-1-mediated enhancement was greater for viruses bearing envelope glycoproteins derived from primary HIV-1 isolates than for those bearing envelope glycoproteins from laboratory-adapted strains. Treatment of target PBMCs with an antibody against LFA-1, a principal ICAM-1 receptor, was able to nullify the ICAM-1-mediated enhancement. The incorporation of ICAM-1 rendered HIV-1 virions less susceptible to neutralization by a monoclonal antibody directed against the viral envelope glycoproteins. Surprisingly, an antibody against ICAM-1 completely neutralized infection by ICAM-1-containing viruses, reducing the efficiency of virus entry by almost 100-fold. Thus, HIV-1 neutralization by an ICAM-1-directed antibody involves more than an inhibition of the contribution of ICAM-1 to virus entry.     

Hepatitis C virus envelope glycoprotein E2 glycans modulate entry, CD81 binding, and neutralization

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major human pathogen that causes serious liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The primary target cells of HCV are hepatocytes, and entry is restricted by interactions of the envelope glycoproteins, E1 and E2, with cellular receptors. E1 and E2 form noncovalently linked heterodimers and are heavily glycosylated. Glycans contribute to protein folding and transport as well as protein function. In addition, glycans associated with viral envelopes mask important functional domains from the immune system and attenuate viral immunogenicity. Here, we explored the role of N- and O-linked glycans on E2, which is the receptor binding subunit of the HCV envelope. We identified a number of glycans that are critical for viral entry. Importantly, we showed that the removal of several glycans significantly increased the inhibition of entry by sera from HCV-positive individuals. Only some of the glycans that affected entry and neutralization were also important for CD81 binding. Our results show that HCV envelope-associated glycans play a crucial role in masking functionally important regions of E2 and suggest a new strategy for eliciting highly neutralizing antibodies against this virus.     

Assorted mutations in the envelope gene of simian immunodeficiency virus lead to loss of neutralization resistance against antibodies representing a broad spectrum of specificities

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) of macaques isolate SIVmac239 is highly resistant to neutralization by polyclonal antisera or monoclonal antibodies, a property that it shares with most primary isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). This resistance is important for the ability of the virus to persist at high levels in vivo. To explore the physical features of the viral envelope complex that contribute to the neutralization-resistant phenotype, we examined a panel of SIVmac239 derivatives for sensitivity to neutralization by a large collection of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). These MAbs recognize both linear and conformational epitopes throughout the viral envelope proteins. The variant viruses included three derivatives of SIVmac239 with substitutions in specific N-linked glycosylation sites of gp120 and a fourth variant that lacked the 100 amino acids that encompass the V1 and V2 loops. Also included in this study was SIVmac316, a variant of SIVmac239 with distributed mutations in env that confer significantly increased replicative capacity in tissue macrophages. These viruses were chosen to represent a broad range of neutralization sensitivities based on susceptibility to pooled, SIV-positive plasma. All three of these very different kinds of mutations (amino acid substitutions, elimination of N-glycan attachment sites, and a 100-amino-acid deletion spanning variable loops V1 and V2) dramatically increased sensitivity to neutralization by MAbs from multiple competition groups. Thus, the mutations did not simply expose localized epitopes but rather conferred global increases in neutralization sensitivity. The removal of specific N-glycan attachment sites from V1 and V2 led to increased sensitivity to neutralization by antibodies recognizing epitopes from both within and outside of the V1-V2 sequence. Surprisingly, while most of the mutations that gave rise to increased sensitivity were located in the N-terminal half of gp120 (surface subunit [SU]), the greatest increases in sensitivity were to MAbs recognizing the C-terminal half of gp120 or the ectodomain of gp41 (transmembrane subunit [TM]). This reagent set and information should now be useful for defining the physical, structural, thermodynamic, and kinetic factors that influence relative sensitivity to antibody-mediated neutralization.     

Localized changes in the gp120 envelope glycoprotein confer resistance to human immunodeficiency virus entry inhibitors BMS-806 and #155

BMS-806 and the related compound, #155, are novel inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry that bind the gp120 exterior envelope glycoprotein. BMS-806 and #155 block conformational changes in the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins that are induced by binding to the host cell receptor, CD4. We tested a panel of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein mutants and identified several that were resistant to the antiviral effects of BMS-806 and #155. In the CD4-bound conformation of gp120, the amino acid residues implicated in BMS-806 and #155 resistance line the "phenylalanine 43 cavity" and a water-filled channel that extends from this cavity to the inner domain. Structural considerations suggest a model in which BMS-806 and #155 bind gp120 prior to receptor binding and, upon CD4 binding, are accommodated in the Phe-43 cavity and adjacent channel. The integrity of the nearby V1/V2 variable loops and N-linked carbohydrates on the V1/V2 stem indirectly influences sensitivity to the drugs. A putative binding site for BMS-806 and #155 between the gp120 receptor-binding regions and the inner domain, which is thought to interact with the gp41 transmembrane envelope glycoprotein, helps to explain the mode of action of these drugs.     

Subunit stoichiometry of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein trimers during virus entry into host cells

The envelope glycoproteins of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) function as a homotrimer of gp120/gp41 heterodimers to support virus entry. During the process of virus entry, an individual HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimer binds the cellular receptors CD4 and CCR5/CXCR4 and mediates the fusion of the viral and the target cellular membranes. By studying the function of heterotrimers between wild-type and nonfunctional mutant envelope glycoproteins, we found that two wild-type subunits within an envelope glycoprotein trimer are required to support virus entry. Complementation between HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein mutants defective in different functions to allow virus entry was not evident. These results assist our understanding of the mechanisms whereby the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins mediate virus entry and membrane fusion and guide attempts to inhibit these processes.     

Differential regulation of cellular tropism and sensitivity to soluble CD4 neutralization by the envelope gp120 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Using recombinant and mutant viruses generated between two human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolates that display differences in cell tropism and sensitivity to soluble CD4 neutralization, we show that these two properties of the virus are regulated by different mechanisms. Whereas there is an association between V3 loop conformation and a particular cellular tropism, soluble CD4 neutralization sensitivity appears to be determined by amino acid differences in the C2 domain of the envelope gp120 that modulate the stability of gp120-gp41 association. Our findings further illustrate the importance of functional interactions among different regions of the envelope gp120 in regulating the biological phenotypes of human immunodeficiency virus and suggest that additional probing of the V3 loop with monoclonal antibodies may identify specific structural features of this loop that determine cell tropism.     

Role of V1V2 and other human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope domains in resistance to autologous neutralization during clade C infection

Biologically functional clade C envelope (Env) glycoproteins from the chronically (donor) and newly (recipient) infected partners of four heterosexual transmission pairs in Zambia were cloned and characterized previously. In each case, the donor viral quasispecies contained Envs that were resistant to autologous neutralization by contemporaneous plasma, while the recipient Envs were sensitive to neutralizing antibodies in this donor plasma sample. The donor Envs also varied in length, glycosylation, and amino acid sequence of the V1V2 hypervariable domain of gp120, while the recipient Envs were much more homogeneous. To assess the contribution of V1V2 to the neutralization phenotype of the donor Envs, V1V2 domains from neutralization-sensitive recipient Envs were replaced with donor V1V2 domains, and the autologous neutralization sensitivities of the chimeric Envs were evaluated using a virus-pseudotyping assay. Long donor V1V2 domains regulated sensitivity to autologous neutralization, although the effect was dependent on the Env background. Short donor V1V2 domains did not confer neutralization resistance. Primary sequence differences in V2 were also found to influence neutralization sensitivity in one set of recipient Envs. The results demonstrate that expansion of the V1V2 domain is one pathway to escape from autologous neutralization in subtype C Envs. However, V1V2-independent mechanisms of resistance also exist, suggesting that escape is multifaceted in chronic subtype C infection.     

Induction of antibodies in guinea pigs and rhesus monkeys against the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope: neutralization of nonpathogenic and pathogenic primary isolate simian/human immunodeficiency virus strains

We have compared the abilities of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope V3 peptides and recombinant gp120 to induce antibodies that neutralize simian/human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIVs). SHIV-89.6 is a nonpathogenic SHIV that expresses the envelope protein of primary HIV-1 isolate 89.6. SHIV-89.6P, clone KB9, is a pathogenic SHIV variant derived from SHIV-89.6. Infection of rhesus monkeys with these SHIVs rarely induces anti-V3 region antibodies. To determine the availability of the gp120 V3 loop for neutralizing antibody binding on SHIV-89.6 and KB9 virions, we have constructed immunogenic C4-V3 peptides from these SHIVs and induced anti-V3 antibodies in guinea pigs and rhesus monkeys. We found that both SHIV-89.6 and KB9 C4-V3 peptides induced antibodies that neutralized SHIV-89.6 but that only SHIV-KB9 C4-V3 peptide induced antibodies that neutralized SHIV-KB9. Immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that SHIV-KB9 C4-V3 peptide-induced antibodies had a greater ability to bind SHIV-KB9 envelope proteins than did antibodies raised against SHIV-89.6 C4-V3 peptide. We have used a series of mutant HIV-1 envelope constructs to map the gp120 determinants that affect neutralization by anti-V3 antibodies. The residue change at position 305 of arginine (in SHIV-89.6) to glutamic acid (in SHIV-KB9) played a central role in determining the ability of peptide-induced anti-V3 antiserum to neutralize primary isolate SHIVs. Moreover, residue changes in the SHIV-89.6 V1/V2 loops also played roles in regulating the availability of the V3 neutralizing epitope on SHIV-89.6 and -KB9. Thus, SHIV-89.6 and -KB9 V3 region peptides are capable of inducing neutralizing antibodies against these primary isolate SHIVs, although the pathogenic SHIV-KB9 is less easily neutralized than its nonpathogenic variant SHIV-89.6. In contrast to natural infection with SHIV-89.6, in which few animals make anti-V3 antibodies, C4-V3 peptides frequently induced anti-V3 antibodies that neutralized primary isolate SHIV strains.     

Conserved changes in envelope function during human immunodeficiency virus type 1 coreceptor switching

We studied the evolution of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope function during the process of coreceptor switching from CCR5 to CXCR4. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to introduce most of the possible intermediate mutations in the envelope for four distinct coreceptor switch mutants, each with a unique pattern of CCR5 and CXCR4 utilization that extended from highly efficient use of both coreceptors to sole use of CXCR4. Mutated envelopes with some preservation of entry function on either CCR5- or CXCR4-expressing target cells were further characterized for their sensitivity to CCR5 or CXCR4 inhibitors, soluble CD4, and the neutralizing antibodies b12-IgG and 4E10. A subset of mutated envelopes was also studied in direct CD4 or CCR5 binding assays and in envelope-mediated fusion reactions. Coreceptor switch intermediates displayed increased sensitivity to CCR5 inhibitors (except for a few envelopes with mutations in V2 or C2) that correlated with a loss in CCR5 binding. As use of CXCR4 improved, infection mediated by the mutated envelopes became more resistant to soluble CD4 inhibition and direct binding to CD4 increased. These changes were accompanied by increasing resistance to the CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100. Sensitivity to neutralizing antibody was more variable, although infection of CXCR4-expressing targets was generally more sensitive to neutralization by both b12-IgG and 4E10 than infection of CCR5-expressing target cells. These changes in envelope function were uniform in all four series of envelope mutations and thus were independent of the final use of CCR5 and CXCR4. Decreased CCR5 and increased CD4 binding appear to be common features of coreceptor switch intermediates.     

Increased envelope spike density and stability are not required for the neutralization resistance of primary human immunodeficiency viruses.

Previous observations that the gp120 envelope glycoprotein contents of some primary, clade B human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolates were higher than those of laboratory-passaged HIV-1 isolates suggested the hypothesis that increased envelope glycoprotein spike density or stability contributes to the relative neutralization resistance of the primary viruses. To test this, the structural, replicative, and neutralization properties of a panel of recombinant viruses with HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins from divergent clades were examined in an env complementation assay. In this system, although the spike density and stability of envelope glycoproteins from primary HIV-1 isolates were not greater than those from a laboratory-adapted isolate, relative resistance to neutralizing antibodies and soluble CD4 was observed for the viruses with primary envelope glycoproteins. Thus, neither high envelope glycoprotein spike density nor stability is necessary for the relative neutralization resistance of primary HIV-1 viruses.     

Alteration of V3 loop context within the envelope of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 enhances neutralization.

Neutralization of a chimeric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1, containing the V3 loop of the MN isolate substituted within the HXB2 envelope, was enhanced up to 20-fold compared with the HXB2 or MN parental isolates by human HIV-positive sera. MN V3 loop-specific monoclonal antibodies were better able to recognize the chimeric virus compared with MN, staining a greater percentage of infected cells and exhibiting slight increases in relative affinity with a concomitant increase in neutralization titer. Competition analysis revealed that enhanced neutralization by human HIV-positive sera of the chimera was attributable in some cases to better reactivity with the linear V3 loop epitope but in others to conformational loop epitopes or previously cryptic or poorly recognized epitopes outside the loop region. Mice primed with a vaccinia virus-chimeric envelope recombinant and boosted with gp160 developed a spectrum of antibodies different from that of mice similarly immunized with HXB2 or MN recombinants or that of naturally infected humans. The chimeric envelope elicited antibodies with enhanced binding to the native MN V3 loop; however, the sites seen by the BALB/c mice were not neutralizing epitopes. Nevertheless, similar to the observations made with use of human sera, the chimeric virus was more readily neutralized by all of the immune mouse sera, an effect apparently mediated by non-V3 loop epitopes. These studies illustrate that not only the V3 loop sequence and conformation but also its context within the viral envelope influence neutralization.