CD4 Incorporation into HIV-1 Viral Particles Exposes Envelope Epitopes Recognized by CD4-Induced Antibodies.

ABSTRACT: CD4 downregulation on infected cells is a highly conserved function of primate lentiviruses. It has been shown to positively impact viral replication by a variety of mechanisms, including enhanced viral release and infectivity, decrease of cell reinfection, and protection from antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), which is often mediated by antibodies that require CD4 to change envelope (Env) conformation. Here, we report that incorporation of CD4 into HIV-1 viral particles affects Env conformation resulting in the exposure of occluded epitopes recognized by CD4-induced antibodies. This translates into enhanced neutralization susceptibility by these otherwise nonneutralizing antibodies but is prevented by the HIV-1 Nef accessory protein. Altogether, these findings suggest that a

SUBMITTER: Ding S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6819941 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature