Characterization of the membrane-bound form of the chimeric, B/C recombinant HIV-1 Env, LT5.J4b12C

J Gen Virol. 2018 Oct;99(10):1438-1443. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001141. Epub 2018 Aug 21.

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) diversity is a significant challenge in developing a vaccine against the virus. B/C recombinants have been found in India and other places but are the predominant clade prevalent in China. HIV-1 envelopes (Envs) are the target of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) which develop spontaneously in some HIV-1 infected patients. It has been previously reported with efficiently cleaved clade A, B and C Envs that preferential binding of Envs to bNAbs as opposed to non-NAbs, a desirable property for immunogens, is correlated with efficient cleavage of the Env precursor polypeptide into constituent subunits. These Envs are suitable for designing immunogens as soluble proteins, virus-like particles or for delivery by viral vectors/plasmid DNA. However, a B/C recombinant Env with similar properties has not been reported. Here we show that the chimeric, recombinant B/C clade Env LT5.J4b12C is efficiently cleaved on the plasma membrane and selectively binds to bNAbs.

Keywords: HIV-1; broadly neutralizing antibodies, non-neutralizing antibodies; efficient cleavage; envelope; vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • HIV Antibodies / immunology
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / genetics*
  • HIV-1 / immunology
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • India
  • Protein Binding
  • Proteolysis*
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics*
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism*
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics*
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / immunology
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • HIV Antibodies
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus