Precise mapping of recombination breakpoints suggests a common parent of two BC recombinant HIV type 1 strains circulating in China

Two different BC recombinant HIV-1 strains have arisen and begun to circulate among intravenous drug users in China. The recombinants are mostly subtype C with a few small subtype B segments. Additional full-genome sequences of the two recombinants, termed CRF07_BC and CRFO&_BC, are now available for analysis. Four CRF07_BC strains, including c54, 97CNU01, 98CN009, and a new strain CNGL-179, described here, and four CRF08_BC strains, including 97CNGX-6, 97CNGX-7, 97CNGX-9, and 98CN006, were compared for their recombination breakpoints by bootscanning and software for fine mapping of recombinants. The four CRF07_BC strains shared an identical recombination structure and the four CRF08_BC strains shared an identical, but different, recombination structure. The two CRFs share five precise subtype B/C boundaries, although although other segments differ between them, suggesting that they shared a common ancestor, itself a BC recombinant that separately "back-crossed" onto different subtype C strains. Both CRFs are broadly distributed from north to south in western China and have maintained low interpatient diversity.     

Molecular epidemiology of HIV type 1 subtypes in Taiwan: outbreak of HIV type 1 CRF07_BC infection in intravenous drug users

In Taiwan, sexual transmission is responsible for most HIV-1 infections with two dominant subtypes, subtype B and CRF01_AE, distributing among homosexual and heterosexual groups, respectively. Recently, intravenous drug use has become an emerging route of HIV-1 transmission and contributed to a significant increase of HIV-1 infection. To characterize the HIV isolates responsible for the outbreak among intravenous drug users (IDUs), phylogenetic analysis was performed to analyze the protease/RT sequences amplified from HIV-1-infected IDUs at National Taiwan University Hospital and Taipei City STD Control Center. CRF07_BC, which is circulating in northern China, was demonstrated to account for the majority of HIV-1 infection in IDUs in the past 2 years. Although these Taiwanese CRF07_BC sequences shared the same breakpoint positions as those described in the CRF07_BC reference sequences, they formed a unique cluster in the phylogenetic tree, suggesting they originated from a founder virus. This finding was further supported by the relative low genetic diversity and unique sequence features. Our results demonstrated the emergence of CRF07_BC and its association with the HIV-1 outbreak among IDUs between 2004 and 2005 in Taiwan. This finding not only helps us to have a better understanding of the HIV evolution in Asia, but also has important implications for vaccine design in the future.     

Near full-length genomic characterization of a novel HIV type 1 CRF07_ BC/CRF08_ BC recombinant strain from Yunnan, China

Yunnan province was considered the HIV-1 epicenter of China, where many subtypes and CRFs of HIV-1 were circulating. CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC were two of the main circulating subtypes that caused more than 90% of the HIV-1 infections in intravenous drug users (IDUs) in this district. The cocirculation of these two CRFs in the same area and population predicted the emergence of new second-generation recombinants. This study presented a near full-length genomic analysis of a novel HIV-1 recombination (09YN072) involving CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC. The analyses of the sequence of 09YN072 showed that two CRF07_BC segments were inserted into the CRF08_BC backbone. The discovery of the novel recombinant strain complicates the HIV-1 epidemic in Yunnan, China, as well as the development of effective vaccines to limit the spread of HIV-1 in China.     

Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 infection and full-length genomic analysis of circulating recombinant form 07_BC strains from injection drug users in Taiwan

BACKGROUND: Previously, we reported that there was an outbreak of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) circulating recombinant form (CRF) 07_BC among injection drug users (IDUs) in Taiwan in 2004. The objectives of the present study were to conduct a molecular epidemiological analysis and to characterize the full-length genome of the Taiwanese CRF07_BC. METHODS: Three hundred and fifty-eight patients with HIV-1/AIDS from hospitals and 133 HIV-1-infected inmates from detention centers were recruited. DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were conducted to determine subtypes and evolutionary relationships. Recombination breakpoints of 2 full-length CRF07_BC strains were elucidated using a bootscanning method. RESULTS: Of 206 HIV-1-infected patients who received a diagnosis in 2004, 44.7% were infected with subtype B, 53.4% with CRF07_BC, and 1.5% with CRF01_AE. Ninety-eight percent (109/111) of IDUs were infected with CRF07_BC. Deletions of 7-11 amino acids in both p6(gag) and p6(pol) proteins were noted among the Taiwanese CRF07_BC strains. The CRF_07BC strains belonged to 2 phylogenetic clusters, and the first cluster contained only CRF07_BC strains from the southern part of Taiwan. CONCLUSIONS: The Taiwanese CRF07_BC strains had 97% full-length sequence homology with the prototype from mainland China. CRF07_BC was first introduced into the southern region in 2002 and then spread to other regions in Taiwan in 2004.     

Identification and characterization of two new HIV type 1 Unique (B/C) recombinant forms in China

Recombination was most important in the generation of new viral strains and in the increase of HIV diversity. There were more and more new HIV-1 strains. Not only circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) but also unique recombinant forms (URFs) have been reported around the world. CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC were the two predominant CRFs circulated in Yunnan Province, southwest China. In the present study, we identified two new HIV Type 1 unique (B/C) recombinant gorms in Yunnan Province by nucleotide sequencing in two halves of HIV genome. Although the genomic structures of the two B/C recombinants were different from previously identified CRFs (CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC) and URFs in Yunnan Pprovince, they have several common recombination sites with CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC.     

Genetic characterization of three newly isolated CRF07_BC near full-length genomes in China

Though HIV-1 CRF07_BC rapidly spread in China, there have been few reports about this subtype since its first genetic characterization nearly 10 years ago. It was urgent and necessary to know the current gene variation of circulating CRF07_BC strains. Xinjiang was the main region for the CRF07_BC epidemic and also an ideal region for research on the viral gene evolution. The strains of Ulumuqi and Yili in Xinjiang were isolated, cloned, and sequenced in this study. Analyses of phylogenetic, potential CTL epitopes and N-glycosites were preformed simultaneously. New CRF07_BC isolates showed higher genetic diversity and more potential N-glycosites than old isolates. It was interesting that although the env and nef genes are highly variable, highly conserved potential CTL epitopes and N-glycosites were found in deduced gp120 V3 and Nef product of all CRF07_BC isolates. The analysis of the sequences provides some valuable information on the investigation of the epidemiology and on vaccine development.     

Surveillance of HIV type 1 recent infection and molecular epidemiology among different risk behaviors between 2007 and 2009 after the HIV type 1 CRF07_BC outbreak in Taiwan

The objective of this study was to analyze recent infections and the molecular epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) among different risk groups since the outbreak of circulating recombinant form CRF07_BC among intravenous drug users (IDUs) in 2004 in Taiwan. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the env and pol fragment sequences amplified from these specimens. The BED IgG capture incidence EIA (BED-CEIA assay) was used to determine recent infections. Among the 683 HIV-1-positive individuals enrolled between 2007 and 2009, 394 (57.7%) were subtype B, 260 (38.1%) were CRF07_BC, 26 (3.8%) were CRF01_AE, two (0.3%) were CRF08_BC, and one (0.1%) was CRF06_cpx. While the percentage of CRF07_BC decreased (58.5-17.9%, p < 0.001) from 2007 to 2009, the percentage of subtype B increased (37.6% to 74.9%, p < 0.001). A concordant decrease in the proportion of recent infections to new infections among IDUs (63.6% to 9.8%, p < 0.001), accompanied with an increase of the proportion of recent infections in MSM (men having sex with men) (22.4-67.1%, p = 0.77) and heterosexual groups (13.1- 23.2%, p = 0.852), was observed. The decrease in CRF07_BC infections and the reduction in the proportion of recent infections among IDUs reflected the success of harm reduction strategies initiated by the government in 2005.     

Molecular epidemiology of the heterosexual HIV-1 transmission in Kunming, Yunnan Province of China suggests origin from the local IDU epidemic

Molecular epidemiological investigation was conducted among injecting drug users (IDUs) (n = 11) and heterosexuals (n = 15) in Kunming, Yunnan Province of China. HIV-1 genotypes were determined based on the nucleotide sequences of 2.6-kb gag-RT region. The distribution of genotypes among IDUs was as follows: CRF07_BC (5/11) and CRF08_BC (5/11); subtype B' (1/11). Similarly, a majority of Kunming heterosexuals (14/15) were infected with CRF07_BC (4/15), CRF08_BC (6 /15), or subtype B' (4/15), known to predominate among IDUs in China. This contrasts with trends in the coastal regions of China and surrounding southeastern Asian countries, where CRF01_AE predominates among heterosexuals. The heterosexual HIV-1 epidemic in Kunming thus appears to derive from the local IDU epidemic. Of note, subtype B' was the most prevalent strain among heterosexuals before 1997, while CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC became predominant in 2002, indicating a transition of HIV-1 genotype distribution between the early and the more recent samples from Kunming heterosexuals.     

MSM人群急性HIV-1感染者病毒亚型分析

目的研究2007-2009年男男性行为人群（MSM）艾滋病病毒-1型（HIV-1）的基因亚型,以监测MSM人群HIV病毒株的最新流行情况。方法采集95例MSM急性HIV-1感染者的外周全血,从外周全血浓缩白细胞中提取脱氧核糖核酸（DNA）,用巢式聚合酶链反应（Nested-PCR）对HIV-1的前病毒DNA进行扩增,然后检测并分析PCR扩增产物的核苷酸序列,确定病毒的基因亚型。结果 95例感染者平均年龄为（35.02±9.15）岁,其中20～50岁的青壮年45例（94.74%）,未婚51例（53.68%）,大专或大学及以上文化程度者30例（占31.58%）。感染者中共发现CRF01_AE亚型、B亚型、BC重组亚型（包括CRF07_BC和CRF08_BC）及C亚型4种亚型。其中CRF01_AE重组亚型56例（占58.95%）,B亚型28例（占29.47%）,BC重组亚型10例（占10.53%）,C亚型1例（1.05%）。结论 MSM人群急性HIV-1感染者年轻化,文化程度普遍偏低。小样本流行病学调查显示,急性HIV-1感染者中有CRF01_AE亚型、B亚型、BC重组亚型及C亚型4种亚型病毒株流行,CRF01_AE亚型为MSM人群的主要亚型。     

Chronology of the HIV-1 CRF07_BC expansion in East Asia

The HIV-1 epidemic among injecting drug users (IDU) in Taiwan is caused primarily by CRF07_BC infections. Evolutionary analyses, which utilize outgroup reference strains from northwestern China (Xinjiang), reveal that CRF07_BC was introduced into southern Taiwan in 1998-2001 and spread to central-northern Taiwan in 2001-2003, causing the largest HIV/AIDS epidemic in Taiwan. The separate introduction of CRF07_BC into Xinjiang occurred in 1992-1995. This study illustrates the temporal dynamics of CRF07_BC spread among IDU across east Asia.     

Construction and characterization of an infectious molecular clone of HIV type 1 CRF07_BC

HIV-1 CRF07_BC constitutes a large fraction of HIV-1 strains circulating in China and is responsible for the rapidly expanding epidemic across the country. Little is known about the biological characteristics of the CRF07_BC viruses, particularly the propensity by which this circulating recombinant form of HIV replicates within an infected individual. In this study, a near-full-length genome of a CRF07_BC virus from an injecting drug user (IDU) from the Xingjiang region in China was cloned and rescued by the functional 5' LTR (long terminal repeat region) and 3' LTR from pNL4-3 to produce a chimeric infectious molecular clone (NLXJDC6441X2). When cultured in interleukin-2-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the Ghost.R5 cell line, NLXJDC6441X2 produced a lower replication yield than expected. More study is needed to explore the key role that leads to the poor infectious activity of NLXJDC6441X2. This study has produced the first isolation of the HIV-1 CRF07_BC DNA clone and has provided a versatile molecular model for research focusing on the biological properties of this subtype.     

Emergence of a New HIV Type 1 CRF01_AE Variant in Guangxi, Southern China

Abstract The distribution of HIV-1 subtypes and genetic characterization of CRF01_AE in Guangxi, southern China were identified. The distribution of HIV-1 genotypes based on gag, pol, and partial env sequences (n=349) was as follows: CRF01_AE (66.5%), CRF08_BC (19.2%), CRF07_BC (7.2%), URF (4.6%), subtype B (1.7%), and subtype B' (0.9%). CRF01_AE predominated in all geographic regions and risk populations and there were multiple introductions of CRF01_AE strains in Guangxi. We found a peculiar CRF01_AE monophyletic lineage distinct from other CRF01_AE viruses, and we designated it "CRF01_AE-v" for convenience. CRF01_AE-v circulating in both heterosexuals and injecting drug users (IDUs) had accounted for 39.7% of CRF01_AE. It showed a selective advantage in the Guangxi population and formed its own characteristic compared with all the CRF01_AE references. Our results suggested that CRF01_AE-v was a new variant of CRF01_AE and it might lead to a new epidemic in Guangxi.     

广州市男男性行为者HIV-1分子流行病学研究

目的了解广州市男男性行为人群（MSM）中,人类免疫缺陷病毒Ⅰ型（HIV-1）亚型流行状况和基因变异特征。方法从2006～2007年广州市发现的、全部19份经男男性传播感染的HIV-1阳性血清样本,应用套式聚合酶链式反应（Nested—PCR）分别扩增gag和fitly区基因,并测定、分析序列。结果被成功扩增的有17份样本,获得13份env基因序列和17份gag基因序列。经系统进化树分析,11份（64．71％）为CRF01_AE,2份（11．76％）为CRF07_BC,4份（23．53％）为B。各亚型组内基因离散率：在env区,CRF01_AE为（8．27±0．93）,CRF07_BC为（11．04±1．72）,B为（16．65±1．78）;在gag区,CRF01_AE为（5．36±0．68）,CRF07_BC为（4．29±1．14）,B为（11．75±1.35）。V3环顶端四肽分析显示：8份CRF01_AE和2份CRF07_BC V3环顶端四肽均为GPGQ;3份B亚型中2份为GPGR,1份为GWGR。根据V3环关键氨基酸推测辅助受体使用情况,结果显示：所有样本均被预测使用CCR5辅助受体。结论广州市MSM人群HIV-1感染者中,至少存在CRF01_AE、CRF07_BC 2种重组亚型和B亚型的流行,且大部分流行株可能为使用CCR5辅助受体的巨嗜细胞嗜性／NSI毒株。     

Sequence analysis of the gag-pol gene of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 of intersubtype (B'/C) recombinant strain in Beijing, China

Little is known about the molecular and biological properties of HIV-1 intersubtype B'/C in Beijing. To fill the gap, we sequenced and analyzed the gag-pol genes from 39 HIV-1 B'/C recombinant infectors in Beijing, China during 2007. The results show that 36 CRF07_BC and 2 CRF08_BC isolates have a structural profile identical or nearly identical to CRF07_BC or CRF08_BC according to sequences in the gag-pol regions. The CRF07_BC circulating in injecting drug users (IDUs) and heterosexuals forms a diverse phylogenetic tree and most isolates from homosexuals cluster together. However, all the B'/C recombinant strains were remarkable for their low interpatient diversity in gag-pol genes (3.1, 3.0, and 2.2% for isolates from IDUs, heterosexuals, and homosexuals, respectively). We identified I7V, E91G, N242T, and K361R in the gag gene and R290I (HXB2 positions) in the pol gene as signature amino acid substitutions characteristic of HIV-1 CRF07_BC from the Beijing lineage. In addition, one new B'/C recombinant was detected. These results may contribute to an understanding of HIV-1 in Beijing.     

HIV type 1 subtypes based on the pol gene and drug resistance mutations among antiretroviral-naive patients from Guangxi, Southern China

We investigated the distribution of HIV-1 subtypes and the prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance among HIV-infected antiretroviral-naive patients in Guangxi, southern China. A total of 144 subjects from Liuzhou or Nanning, two cities having the most HIV-infected cases in Guangxi, were enrolled. HIV-1 pol fragments were amplified and sequenced from plasma of all patients. In all, 124 sequences were obtained, with 67 from Liuzhou and 57 from Nanning. All sequences were subtyped by phylogenetic analysis and analyzed for antiretroviral resistance using the HIVdb program. Our data showed that the sequences from Liuzhou were subtyped as CRF01_AE (77.6%), CRF07_BC(20.9%), and BC (1.5%), respectively, and the sequences from Nanning as CRF01_AE (78.9%), CRF08_BC (15.8%), B (3.5%), and C (1.8%), respectively. Of the sequences 11.9% from Liuzhou and 28.1% from Nanning harbored drug resistance-associated mutations, but there were only two sequences with mutations associated with significantly reduced phenotypic susceptibility to antiretroviral drugs.     

Sequence analysis of a South American HIV type 1 BC recombinant

We report the characterization of a near full-length sequence of a South American HIV-1 BC intersubtype recombinant, ARE195FL. This isolate contains a C(gag/pol) B(vpr/vpu/gp160(env)) C(gp41(env)/nef) mosaic structure differing from any BC full-length sequence described to date, and is the first full-length sequence obtained from a South American BC strain. Neighbor-joining analysis revealed that subtype C genomic segments of ARE195FL clustered with the South American group of subtype C strains, suggesting a local emergence of the BC recombinant. Despite having dissimilar genomic structures, ARE195FL shares a common recombination breakpoint in vif, which is a "hot spot" for recombinatory events, with the Chinese BC recombinant prototype CRF07_BC. Further full-length sequence analysis of South American HIV-1 C and BC strains is necessary to determine the relevance and spread of emerging HIV-1 BC recombinants in Latin America.     

123株人类免疫缺陷病毒-1重组亚型主要耐药性突变的基因屏障

目的 比较HIV-1 CRF01_AE、CRF07_BC和CRF08_BC毒株发生蛋白酶抑制剂(PI)、核苷类反转录酶抑制剂(NRTI)和非核苷类反转录酶抑制剂(NNRTI)主要耐药性突变的基因屏障,分析不同亚型耐药模式的差异.方法 纳入在广西壮族自治区南宁、柳州两市未经治疗的HIV感染者190例,采集外周静脉血,从血浆中提取HIV-1 RNA,扩增pol区并测序,用系统进化树分析序列的亚型,统计各序列每个主要突变位点由野生型密码子突变为耐药密码子所需的碱基转换和颠换的数量,根据转换与颠换发生概率约2.5:1的规律,将每个转换赋值设为1,每个颠换赋值设为2.5,计算各突变赋值之和,即为基因屏障值,采用Kruskal-Wallis检验法和Nemenyi法比较不同亚型的基因屏障差异.结果 共获得CRF01_AE、CRF07_BC和CRF08_BC毒株123株.CRF08_BC发生T/S69D的基因屏障低于CRF01_AE和CRF07_BC(χ2=107.501,P＜0.01),CRF01_AE和CRF07_BC发生V118I和L210W的基因屏障低于CRF08_BC,CRF07_BC发生V106M的基因屏障低于CRF01_AE和CRF08_BC.结论 在相同的选择压力下,CRF01_AE和CRF07_BC比CRF08_BC易发生V118I和L210W,CRF08_BC比CRF01_AE和CRF07_BC易发生T/S69D,CRF07_BC比CRF08_BC和CRF01_AE易发生V106M.     

Identification of the DC-SIGN-interactive domains on the envelope glycoprotein of HIV-1 CRF07_BC

DC-SIGN, a C-type lection expressed on dendritic cells, enhances HIV-1 infection in cis and in trans. HIV-1 circulating recombinant form (CRF) 07_BC viruses have been the predominant strain found among injection drug users in southern China and Taiwan. The goal of this study was to map the DC-SIGN-interactive domain on the gp120 of CRF07_BC. Pseudotyped viruses containing single (N233Q, N275Q, N330Q, N351Q, N355Q, N381Q, and N387Q), double (N233Q + N275Q, N233Q + N351Q, N275Q + N351Q), or triple (N233Q + N275Q + N351Q) N-glycan mutant gp120 were generated. Capture assays showed that the DC-SIGN-binding capacity of pseudoviruses with N275Q or N351Q decreased significantly. Rabbit antisera against synthetic peptides covering the N275 (R72 antiserum) or N351 (R77 antiserum) region blocked the interaction between wild-type gp120 and DC-SIGN in the capture assay. Furthermore, pseudotype viruses containing gp120 from five different CRF07_BC isolates were generated and R72 and R77 antisera blocked their interactions with DC-SIGN (80% for R72 and 40% for R77, respectively) in the capture assays. In conclusion, the N275 and N351 glycan sites on the CRF07_BC gp120 play an important role in mediating the interaction between gp120 and DC-SIGN. This information is valuable for developing both therapeutic and preventive agents for HIV-1 infection.