长期不进展人类免疫缺陷病毒-1感染者准种膜蛋白V3环氨基酸特点分析

目的 了解长期不进展HIV-1感染者HIV-1准种膜蛋白V3环氨基酸序列特征及变异特点.方法 应用终点有限稀释套式PCR方法,对5例长期不进展HIV-1感染者不同时间点单个HIV-1前病毒env基因c2-v3-c3区域进行扩增和序列测定,用序列确证分析技术分析env基因区V3环氨基酸序列特征.结果 5例患者不同随访时间点获得的准种序列中,V3环35个氨基酸中出现多样性的位点分别有1～10个不等,同一患者不同随访时间点准种优势株序列完全一致或仅有1～2个位点不同;4例患者V3环顶端四肽为GPGR,1例患者为GPGK,同一患者不同随访时间点V3环顶端四肽一致;根据V3环11和25位氨基酸及V3环的电荷推测HIV-1辅助受体均为趋化因子受体(CCR)5.结论 长期不进展HIV-1感染者V3环序列存在不同程度变异,顶端四肽稳定性高,感染的HIV-1毒株可能为非合胞体诱导型毒株.     

长期不进展人类免疫缺陷病毒-1感染者准种膜蛋白V3环氨基酸特点分析

目的 了解长期不进展HIV-1感染者HIV-1准种膜蛋白V3环氨基酸序列特征及变异特点.方法 应用终点有限稀释套式PCR方法,对5例长期不进展HIV-1感染者不同时间点单个HIV-1前病毒env基因c2-v3-c3区域进行扩增和序列测定,用序列确证分析技术分析env基因区V3环氨基酸序列特征.结果 5例患者不同随访时间点获得的准种序列中,V3环35个氨基酸中出现多样性的位点分别有1～10个不等,同一患者不同随访时间点准种优势株序列完全一致或仅有1～2个位点不同;4例患者V3环顶端四肽为GPGR,1例患者为GPGK,同一患者不同随访时间点V3环顶端四肽一致;根据V3环11和25位氨基酸及V3环的电荷推测HIV-1辅助受体均为趋化因子受体(CCR)5.结论 长期不进展HIV-1感染者V3环序列存在不同程度变异,顶端四肽稳定性高,感染的HIV-1毒株可能为非合胞体诱导型毒株.     

长期不进展人类免疫缺陷病毒-1感染者准种膜蛋白V3环氨基酸特点分析

目的 了解长期不进展HIV-1感染者HIV-1准种膜蛋白V3环氨基酸序列特征及变异特点.方法 应用终点有限稀释套式PCR方法,对5例长期不进展HIV-1感染者不同时间点单个HIV-1前病毒env基因c2-v3-c3区域进行扩增和序列测定,用序列确证分析技术分析env基因区V3环氨基酸序列特征.结果 5例患者不同随访时间点获得的准种序列中,V3环35个氨基酸中出现多样性的位点分别有1～10个不等,同一患者不同随访时间点准种优势株序列完全一致或仅有1～2个位点不同;4例患者V3环顶端四肽为GPGR,1例患者为GPGK,同一患者不同随访时间点V3环顶端四肽一致;根据V3环11和25位氨基酸及V3环的电荷推测HIV-1辅助受体均为趋化因子受体(CCR)5.结论 长期不进展HIV-1感染者V3环序列存在不同程度变异,顶端四肽稳定性高,感染的HIV-1毒株可能为非合胞体诱导型毒株.     

Phylogenetic analysis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 subtype C env gp120 sequences among four drug-naive families following subsequent heterosexual and vertical transmissions

To characterize phylogenetic relatedness of plasma HIV-1 RNA subtype C env gp120 viral variants capable of establishing an infection following heterosexual and subsequent vertical transmission events a 650-base pair fragment within the C2-V5 subregion was sequenced from four HIV-1-infected families each consisting of biological parent(s), index children (first), and subsequent (second) siblings. None of the family members had received antiretroviral therapy at the time of sample collection. Sequence alignment and analysis were done using Gene Doc, Clustal X, and MEGA software programs. Second siblings' sequences were homogeneous and clustered in a single branch while first siblings' sequences were more heterogeneous, clustering in separate branches, suggestive of more than one donor variants responsible for the infection or evolution from founder variant(s) could have occurred. While the directionality for heterosexual transmission could not be determined, homogeneous viral variants were a unique characteristic of maternal variants as opposed to the more heterogeneous paternal variants. Analysis of families' sequences demonstrated a localized expansion of the subtype C infection. We demonstrated that families' sequences clustered quite closely with other regional HIV-1 subtype C sequences supported by a bootstrap value of 86%, confirming the difficulty of classifying subtype C sequences on a geographic basis. Data are indicative of several mechanisms that may be involved in both vertical and heterosexual transmission. Larger studies are warranted to address the caveats of this study and build on the strengths. Our study could be the beginning of family-based HIV-1 intervention research in Zimbabwe.     

Role of the HIV type 1 glycoprotein 120 V3 loop in determining coreceptor usage.

Macrophage (M)-tropic HIV-1 isolates use the beta-chemokine receptor CCR5 as a coreceptor for entry, while T cell line-adapted (TCLA) strains use CXCR4 and dual-tropic strains can use either CCR5 or CXCR4. To investigate the viral determinants involved in choice of coreceptor, we used a fusion assay based on the infection of CD4+ HeLa cells that express one or both coreceptors with Semliki Forest virus (SFV) recombinants expressing the native HIV-1 gp160 of a primary M-tropic isolate (HIV-1BX08), a TCLA isolate (HIV-1LAI), or a dual-tropic strain (HIV-1MN). We examined whether the V3 region of these glycoproteins interacts directly with the corresponding coreceptors by assaying coreceptor-dependent cell-to-cell fusion mediated by the different recombinants in the presence of various synthetic linear peptides. Synthetic peptides corresponding to different V3 loop sequences blocked syncytium formation in a coreceptor-specific manner. Synthetic V2 peptides were also inhibitory for syncytium formation, but showed no apparent coreceptor specificity. A BX08 V3 peptide with a D320 --> R substitution retained no inhibitory capacity for BX08 Env-mediated cell-to-cell fusion, but inhibited LAI Env-mediated fusion as efficiently as the homologous LAI V3 peptide. The same mutation engineered in the BX08 env gene rendered it able to form syncytia on CD4+CXCR4+CCR5-HeLa cells and susceptible to inhibition by SDF-1alpha and MIP-1beta. Other substitutions tested (D320 --> Q/D324 --> N or S306 --> R) exhibited intermediate effects on coreceptor usage. These results underscore the importance of the V3 loop in modulating coreceptor choice and show that single amino acid modifications in V3 can dramatically modify coreceptor usage. Moreover, they provide evidence that linear V3 loop peptides can compete with intact cell surface-expressed gp120/gp41 for CCR5 or CXCR4 interaction.     

Characteristics of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) glycoprotein 120 env sequences in mother-infant pairs infected with HIV-1 subtype CRF01_AE

We analyzed the characteristics of the envelope genes of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in 17 mother-infant pairs infected with variants of the CRF01_AE clade. A total of 353 sequences covering almost the entire glycoprotein (gp) 120 region were available for analysis. We found that, even if the virus population in the mother was complex, only viruses of a restricted subset were transmitted to her infant, independently of whether transmission occurred in utero or during the intrapartum period. We did not find that shorter gp120 regions or fewer potential N-glycosylation sites (PNGS) were characteristic of viruses transmitted from mother to infant. However, our data suggest that a limited number of PNGS that seem to be conserved in all variants in infants but are not uniformly present in variants in mothers may confer an advantage for transmission of the virus, thereby highlighting the potentially important role of the "glycan shield." This finding was particularly significant for the PNGS at positions N301 and N384.     

Evidence of subtype B-like sequences in the V3 loop region of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

The aim of this study was to determine the nucleotide sequence of the third variable (V3) domain of HIV-1 gp120 from strains circulating in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. DNA from this region was amplified from patient peripheral blood lymphocytes using polymerase chain reaction and then subjected to automated DNA sequencing. Subtype A, B, C, and D-like sequences were identified. Subtype B has not previously been described in Tanzania.     

Sequence analysis of the V3 loop regions of the env genes of Ugandan human immunodeficiency proviruses.

Ugandan strains of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) were isolated by cocultivation of peripheral blood lymphocytes from infected individuals with cord blood lymphocytes. Sequences from the V3 region of the env gene were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from chromosomal DNA obtained from low passage virus cultures. The PCR products from 13 Ugandan isolates were cloned into a phagemid vector and sequenced. Many isolates contained divergent V3 loop sequences and adjacent regions: diversity was associated with codon deletions or duplications and with nucleotide substitutions, especially G----A transitions. Proviruses from some of the cultures showed extensive diversity within the V3 loop sequences but others were more homogeneous. The V3 loop apices were conserved in 6 of the Ugandan proviruses and these were very similar to the equivalent regions of several Zairean proviruses. The V3 loop apices of African isolates of HIV-1 are divergent from those of North American isolates. The possible biological consequences of this divergence are discussed.     

Unexpected coreceptor usage of primary human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolates from viremic patients under highly active antiretroviral therapy

Recently, combinations of antiretroviral drugs (highly active antiretroviral therapy [HAART]) have led to a dramatic reduction of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-related clinical symptoms. Success of treatment is defined as almost complete suppression of plasma viremia, although in a sizable fraction of patients this goal is not achieved. We characterized primary HIV-1 isolates from 2 cohorts of patients in which HAART failed in terms of viral suppression. One cohort showed clinical benefit and stable or increasing CD4+ T cell numbers despite high viral load. The second viremic cohort had no CD4+ T cell recovery and exhibited typical AIDS-related symptoms. Primary isolates from HAART patients with minor clinical symptoms used CXCR4 as the most relevant receptor on primary cells. Thus, for the first time, it is shown that patients improving clinically under HAART harbor relatively high viral loads with viruses preferring CXCR4 as coreceptor.     

Detection of proviral sequences in saliva of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Single samples of saliva collected from 20 human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) seropositive patients were tested by the polymerase chain reaction for HIV-1 proviral sequences using primers from the long terminal repeat (LTR), gag, and env regions of the virus. Proviral sequences were detected in the saliva of 50% of the patients. Sequential samples of saliva, collected at four different times, from each of six additional patients led to the detection of proviral sequences in 100% of the patients. Since, however, the detection of HIV-1 required not only the highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction, but also multiple samples, it appears that under ordinary circumstances infected cells are present in saliva in low numbers. Although this may explain the lack of transmission of HIV-1 by casual contact through the salivary route to household members and health-care workers, the presence of infected cells in the saliva of a high percentage of patients argues for avoidance of sexually intimate situations involving prolonged and repeated contact with saliva.     

Covariation of mutations in the V3 loop of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope protein: an information theoretic analysis.

The V3 loop of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope protein is a highly variable region that is both functionally and immunologically important. Using available amino acid sequences from the V3 region, we have used an information theoretic quantity called mutual information, a measure of covariation, to quantify dependence between mutations in the loop. Certain pairs of sites, including non-contiguous sites along the sequence, do not have independent mutations but display considerable, statistically significant, covarying mutations as measured by mutual information. For the pairs of sites with the highest mutual information, specific amino acids were identified that were highly predictive of amino acids in the linked site. The observed interdependence between variable sites may have implications for structural or functional relationships; separate experimental evidence indicates functional linkage between some of the pairs of sites with high mutual information. Further specific mutational studies of the V3 loop's role in determining viral phenotype are suggested by our analyses. Also, the implications of our results may be important to consider for V3 peptide vaccine design. The methods used here are generally applicable to the study of variable proteins.     

Studies on the role of the V3 loop in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein function.

Mutations within the principal neutralizing determinant (the V3 loop) of the HIV-1 surface envelope glycoprotein gp120 block or greatly reduce the ability of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein to induce cell fusion in CD4+ HeLa T4 cells while keeping its CD4 binding ability. However, when either cysteine or both cysteines forming the V3 disulfide bridge were mutated, the resultant glycoprotein could not mediate cell fusion, undergo proteolytic processing, or bind CD4. To investigate the role that the V3 loop plays in gp160 processing and CD4 binding, we deleted the entire V3 loop region of the HIV-1 env gene. The resultant glycoprotein could not mediate cell fusion in the HeLa T4 cell line and no proteolytic processing of gp160 or CD4 binding could be detected. To test whether any domain of the V3 loop is involved in attaining the proper envelope glycoprotein conformation required for proteolytic processing and CD4 binding, we introduced a series of deletions into the coding region of the V3 loop. Most of the residues within the V3 loop could be removed while retaining gp160 processing and CD4 binding. Our results indicate that the cysteines that form the V3 loop or the disulfide bond itself are important for proper envelope glycoprotein folding and processing. Because many of the mutants constructed in this study do not contain the type-specific neutralizing determinant of HIV-1, they may be potential reagents to bind group-specific neutralizing antibodies or to elicit a group-specific neutralizing response against HIV-1.     

Selection and characterization of a replication-competent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 variant encoding C-terminally truncated env

A long cytoplasmic C-terminus (Env-CT) on the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Env protein is a highly conserved feature in vivo. Mutant HIV lacking the Env-CT cannot replicate in PBMCs and in the majority of T cell lines (nonpermissive cells, e.g., H9 cells) in vitro. We report here that a single amino acid change (N750K) in the context of the mutant virus pNL-Tr752 lacking 104 C-terminal Env amino acids gives rise to a virus variant pNL-Tr752(N750K), which can now replicate in nonpermissive H9 cells and, albeit to a lower extent, in PBMCs. We have analyzed the properties of replication-competent pNL-Tr752(N750K) in comparison to its defective counterpart pNL-Tr752 and to wild-type virus in H9 cells. In all cases, the respective glycoproteins were functional in inducing membrane fusion and were incorporated into particles. In comparison to pNL-Tr752 and pNL-Wt, pNL-Tr752(N750K) glycoprotein exhibited increased fusion induction and 2- to 3-fold increased incorporation into particles, properties that may contribute to the observed replication competence.     

Analysis of the V3 loop in neutralization-resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 variants by direct solid-phase DNA sequencing.

To study the molecular basis for the emergence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) variants with reduced sensitivity to neutralization by autologous sera, the DNA sequence of the envelope V3 loop was determined in HIV-1 isolates derived from four patients with primary HIV-1 infection and sequentially thereafter. The gene fragment encoding the V3 loop of gp120 was amplified by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequently sequenced by a novel solid phase DNA sequencing approach allowing direct sequencing of the viral genome without the need for previous cloning. The results show that all patients have HIV-1 with unique primary sequence of the V3 loop and antibodies to this structure are produced at seroconversion. The structural analysis also demonstrates that the mechanism for virus escape from neutralization in vivo is complex. Thus, in one patient the emergence of neutralization-resistant viruses coincided with the introduction of several amino acid changes in the V3 loop, while in two other patients the V3 loop remained completely unchanged. These findings suggest that an understanding of the interaction between the humoral immune response and HIV-1 may require detailed structural studies of the entire envelope.     

Ⅰ型人类免疫缺陷病毒包膜糖蛋白修饰体表达载体的构建及鉴定

目的构建V3环完全或部分缺失的I型人类免疫缺陷病毒(hauman immunodeficiency virus type I,HIV-1)ADA株包膜糖蛋白表达体系。方法分别设计包膜糖蛋白两端及V3环删除区域两端的引物,采用重叠延伸剪接法进行HIV-1 ADA株包膜糖蛋白V3环修饰体的构建。得到的PCR产物经EcoR I和Xho I双酶切,将酶切产物与pSM载体连接,转化大肠埃希菌后筛选阳性克隆,经PCR及基因序列测定进行鉴定。结果获得HIV-1 ADA株包膜糖蛋白V3环修饰体PCR产物,构建了其表达载体pSM-ADA△V3和pSM- ADAmV3,经转化和筛选获得了重组质粒,经PCR及基因测序鉴定显示重组质粒序列正确,为预期目的片段。结论成功构建了V3环修饰的HIV-1 ADA株包膜糖蛋白的表达载体。此结果为进一步构建伪病毒,观察V3环完全或部分缺失对病毒侵入靶细胞过程的影响,为开发阻止HIV-1进入靶细胞的药物或疫苗打下基础。     

Protection of neutralization epitopes in the V3 loop of oligomeric human immunodeficiency virus type 1 glycoprotein 120 by N-linked oligosaccharides in the V1 region

The V3 region of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope protein gp120 constitutes a potential neutralization target, but the oligosaccharide of one conserved N-glycosylation site in this region protects it from neutralizing antibodies. Here, we determined whether N-linked glycans of other gp120 domains were also involved in protection of V3 neutralization epitopes. Two molecular clones of HIV-1, one lacking three N-linked glycans of the V1 region (HIV-1(3N/V1)) and another lacking three N-linked glycans of the C2 region (HIV-1(3N/C2)), were created and characterized. gp120 from both mutated viral clones had higher electrophoretic mobilities than gp120 from wild-type virus, confirming loss of N-linked glycans. Wild-type virus and both mutant clones replicated equally well in established T cell lines and all three viruses were able to utilize CXCR4 but not CCR5 as a coreceptor. The induced mutations increased gp120 affinity for CXCR4 but caused no corresponding increase in viral ability to replicate in T cell lines. HIV-1(3N/V1) was neutralized at about 25 times lower concentrations of an antibody to the V3 region than were wild-type virus and HIV-1(3N/C2). Soluble, monomeric gp120 from HIV-1(3N/V1) and wild type virus had identical avidity for the V3 antibody, indicating that the V1 glycans were able to shield V3 only in oligomeric but not monomeric gp120. In conclusion, one or more N-linked glycans of gp120 V1 is engaged in protection of the V3 region from potential neutralizing antibodies, and this effect is dependent on the oligomeric organization of gp120/gp41.     

Crystal structure of a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 neutralizing antibody, 50.1, in complex with its V3 loop peptide antigen.

The crystal structure of the Fab fragment of a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) neutralizing monoclonal antibody Fab has been determined at 2.8 A resolution in complex with a linear 16-residue peptide from the third hypervariable region (V3) of gp120. The first 9 residues of the peptide are ordered in the electron density maps, and their conformation is in partial agreement with the beta-strand-type II beta-turn structure predicted for this portion of the V3 loop. Notably, several of the peptide residues that are well conserved among different HIV-1 isolates contact a nonpolar 25-A-long groove in the antibody-combining site. The largely extended structure of the peptide differs from the beta-turns seen as the primary determinants in other published anti-peptide Fab structures. Analysis of the specific Fab-peptide interactions only partially explains the MN isolate specificity shown by this antibody.