Low levels of HIV-1 envelope-mediated fusion are associated with long-term survival of an infected CCR5-/- patient.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study investigated whether Env-mediated fusion levels of R5X4 viruses are associated with long-term survival of an infected CCR5-/- patient.

Design

Four R5X4 Envs were cloned from each of two infected homosexual individuals (DR and C2) homozygous for the CCR5Δ32 allele. DR is a long-term survivor chronically infected with HIV-1 and his Envs were cloned 12 years after testing HIV-infected, whereas C2 Envs were isolated 1 year after primary infection.

Methods

The current study sequenced the gp41 subunits and created hybrid Envs that contained exchanged gp41 subunits or V3 loops. The Env-mediated fusion activity of Envs was examined in cell fusion and virus infection assays.

Results

Sequence analysis indicated novel polymorphisms in the gp41 subuni

SUBMITTER: Gorry PR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6239422 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature