CD4-Induced conformational changes in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120 glycoprotein: consequences for virus entry and neutralization

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry into target cells involves sequential binding of the gp120 exterior envelope glycoprotein to CD4 and to specific chemokine receptors. Soluble CD4 (sCD4) is thought to mimic membrane-anchored CD4, and its binding alters the conformation of the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins. Two cross-competing monoclonal antibodies, 17b and CG10, that recognize CD4-inducible gp120 epitopes and that block gp120-chemokine receptor binding were used to investigate the nature and functional significance of gp120 conformational changes initiated by CD4 binding. Envelope glycoproteins derived from both T-cell line-adapted and primary HIV-1 isolates exhibited increased binding of the 17b antibody in the presence of sCD4. CD4-induced exposure of the 17b epitope on the oligomeric envelope glycoprotein complex occurred over a wide range of temperatures and involved movement of the gp120 V1/V2 variable loops. Amino acid changes that reduced the efficiency of 17b epitope exposure following CD4 binding invariably compromised the ability of the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins to form syncytia or to support virus entry. Comparison of the CD4 dependence and neutralization efficiencies of the 17b and CG10 antibodies suggested that the epitopes for these antibodies are minimally accessible following attachment of gp120 to cell surface CD4. These results underscore the functional importance of these CD4-induced changes in gp120 conformation and illustrate viral strategies for sequestering chemokine receptor-binding regions from the humoral immune response.

Enhancement of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope-mediated fusion by a CD4-gp120 complex-specific monoclonal antibody

The entry of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) into cells is initiated by binding of the viral glycoprotein gp120-gp41 to its cellular receptor CD4. The gp120-CD4 complex formed at the cell surface undergoes conformational changes that may allow its association with an additional membrane component(s) and the eventual formation of the fusion complex. These conformational rearrangements are accompanied by immunological changes manifested by altered reactivity with monoclonal antibodies specific for the individual components and presentation of new epitopes unique to the postbinding complex. In order to analyze the structure and function of the gp120-CD4 complex, monoclonal antibodies were generated from splenocytes of BALB/c mice immunized with soluble CD4-gp120 (IIIB) molecules (J. M. Gershoni, G. Denisova, D. Raviv, N. I. Smorodinsky, and D. Buyaner, FASEB J. 7:1185-1187 1993). One of those monoclonal antibodies, CG10, was found to be strictly complex specific. Here we demonstrate that this monoclonal antibody can significantly enhance the fusion of CD4+ cells with effector cells expressing multiple HIV-1 envelopes. Both T-cell-line-tropic and macrophage-tropic envelope-mediated cell fusion were enhanced, albeit at different optimal doses. Furthermore, infection of HeLa CD4+ (MAGI) cells by HIV-1 LAI, ELI1, and ELI2 strains was increased two- to fourfold in the presence of CG10 monoclonal antibodies, suggesting an effect on viral entry. These findings indicate the existence of a novel, conserved CD4-gp120 intermediate structure that plays an important role in HIV-1 cell fusion.

Conformational transitions in CD4 due to complexation with HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120

The binding of the surface envelope glycoprotein gp120 to its receptor, CD4, has been well characterized and is the primary basis for the cell tropism of HIV. In this study, the interaction between recombinant soluble CD4 and native membrane-associated CD4 with gp120 is probed by the use of mAbs. Complexation of gp120 with both forms of CD4 induces conformational epitopes that can be defined with specific mAbs. CG1, CG7, and CG8 are three novel mAbs that have a distinct preference for CD4 complexed over noncomplexed with gp120. The epitopes of these unique mAbs were mapped by cross-inhibition with previously characterized mAbs to a region encompassing the CDR2 and CDR3 loops in domain 1 of CD4. Systematic analysis of CG mAbs binding to CD4 and CD4/gp120 complex delineates a region in the D1 domain of CD4 that undergoes conformational rearrangements upon gp120 binding to its receptor.

Conformational transitions in CD4 due to complexation with HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120

The binding of the surface envelope glycoprotein gp120 to its receptor, CD4, has been well characterized and is the primary basis for the cell tropism of HIV. In this study, the interaction between recombinant soluble CD4 and native membrane-associated CD4 with gp120 is probed by the use of mAbs. Complexation of gp120 with both forms of CD4 induces conformational epitopes that can be defined with specific mAbs. CG1, CG7, and CG8 are three novel mAbs that have a distinct preference for CD4 complexed over noncomplexed with gp120. The epitopes of these unique mAbs were mapped by cross-inhibition with previously characterized mAbs to a region encompassing the CDR2 and CDR3 loops in domain 1 of CD4. Systematic analysis of CG mAbs binding to CD4 and CD4/gp120 complex delineates a region in the D1 domain of CD4 that undergoes conformational rearrangements upon gp120 binding to its receptor.

Helical epitopes determined by low-stringency antibody screening of a combinatorial peptide library

Combinatorial phage display peptide libraries are routinely used to map epitopes of specific monoclonal antibodies. In this study we illustrate that these libraries can be used in the analysis of protein structure. By screening libraries at low stringency, a collection of phages can be obtained. These are characterized by the fact that they are recognized by a given monoclonal antibody yet with various affinities. Comparing the random peptides of these phages indicates the common essential residues necessary for antibody recognition. Aligning the inserts based on the detected homology has revealed structural motifs that correspond to secondary protein structures. The envelope protein of HIV-1 has been studied using this approach. A combinatorial phage display library containing a 20 mer random peptide in protein III of the filamentous phage fd-tet has been used to analyze two different monoclonal antibodies directed against gp120. Our results provide experimental evidence that indicate that the C1 domain of gp120 contains an alpha helix.

Humoral immune response to immunocomplexed HIV envelope glycoprotein 120

To further our understanding of the nature of HIV-1 immunogenicity, we injected mice with the virus envelope protein gp120 in different configurations: free, complexed with its receptor CD4, and as an immunocomplex with a monoclonal antibody directed against the V3 loop of the protein. Analyses of the polyclonal sera, as well as of monoclonal antibodies produced in each case, allowed us to conclude that the quality of the humoral immune response depended on the complexation state of the antigen. For the free gp120 and gp120-CD4 complex the responses were directed mainly toward conformational epitopes. However, gp120 immunocomplexed with anti-V3 loop Mab produced, in addition, numerous MAbs directed toward linear epitopes. Epitopes were mapped using immunoblots of gp120 cleaved with S. aureus V8 protease and a combinatorial epitope phage-display library. It was found that some of the linear epitopes had been previously identified as T cell epitopes. These results suggest that the immunocomplexed gp120 may be particularly well taken up by antigen-presenting cells, leading to the processing of the gp120 and the efficient presentation of T cell epitopes. Thus immunocomplexation should afford a means for enhancing the immunogenicity of gp120 and improving its presentation.

Binding of HIV-1 gp120 to an anti-V3 loop antibody reveals novel antigen-induced epitopes

Antigen association to its corresponding binding site in the immunoglobulin molecule can elicit conformational rearrangements, generating novel epitopes termed metatopes. Such metatopes were characterized for the immunocomplex between the AIDS virus envelope protein, gp120, and M77, a mAb directed against the V3 loop. Five novel mAbs were described (GV1, GV3, GV7, GV8, and GV12). These mAbs were found to bind epitopes harbored in the M77 Fab fragment. Binding to the epitopes was shown to require the complexation of Fab with its antigen. The degree of this antigen requirement was found to be variable for the different mAbs and also for the state of IgG fragmentation. Binding of GV12 to its antigen increased the affinity of M77 for gp120. Moreover, in the presence of GV12, M77 acquired extended cross-reactivity for a second gp120 variant, namely BaL. These results could indicate a novel approach towards improving the performance of anti-HIV antibodies.

HIV binding to its receptor creates specific epitopes for the CD4/gp120 complex

Effective vaccines against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) must cope with the genetic variation of the viral envelope (gp120) to combat or prevent acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Here we describe novel epitopes that are accentuated when gp120 complexes with its receptor (CD4). The presentation of these epitopes results through conformational rearrangements in the CD4/gp120 complex. Monoclonal antibodies directed to these epitopes inhibit syncytium formation, thus indicating the potential use of these epitopes as subunit vaccines.

Immunochemical identification of products of the mitochondrial cytochromoxidase gene expressed in E. coli cells

Bacterial clones containing hybrid plasmids with mitochondrial DNA insertions were obtained. Among them, a clone synthesizing immunoreactive protein with molecular weight 45,000 was discovered by means of antibodies against mitochondrial cytochromoxidase. The synthesis of the protein depended on orientation of the mitochondrial DNA insertion in the hybrid plasmid. The size of the protein was in excess of the coding capacity of the insertion, which speaks of chimeric nature of the protein. Absorption of the protein by the immunoglobulin fraction containing antibodies against cytochromoxidase resulted in a loss of antibody binding to cytochromoxidase subunit III.