Longer V1V2 region with increased number of potential N-linked glycosylation sites in the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein protects against HIV-specific neutralizing antibodies.

ABSTRACT: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has the ability to adapt to the host environment by escaping from host immune responses. We previously observed that escape from humoral immunity, both at the individual and at a population level, coincided with longer variable loops and an increased number of potential N-linked glycosylation sites (PNGS) in the viral envelope glycoprotein (Env) and, in particular, in variable regions 1 and 2 (V1V2). Here, we provide several lines of evidence for the role of V1V2 in the resistance of HIV-1 to neutralizing antibodies. First, we determined that the increasing neutralization resistance of a reference panel of tier-categorized neutralization-sensitive and -resistant HIV-1 variants coincided with a longer V1V2 loop containing more PNGS. Second, an exc

SUBMITTER: van Gils MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3126602 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature