biostudies-literatureBradley TNIAID NIH HHS4663-4673https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5136304biostudies-literatureUnknown197(12)The HIV-1 envelope protein (Env) has evolved to subvert the host immune system, hindering viral control by the host. The tryptophan metabolic enzyme kynureninase (KYNU) is mimicked by a portion of the HIV Env gp41 membrane proximal region (MPER) and is cross-reactive with the HIV broadly neutralizing Ab (bnAb) 2F5. Molecular mimicry of host proteins by pathogens can lead to autoimmune disease. In this article, we demonstrate that neither the 2F5 bnAb nor HIV MPER-KYNU cross-reactive Abs elicited by immunization with an MPER peptide-liposome vaccine in 2F5 bnAb V_HDJ_H and V_LJ_L knock-in mice and rhesus macaques modified KYNU activity or disrupted tissue tryptophan metabolism. Thus, molecular mimicry by HIV-1 Env that promotes the evasion of host antJournal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)HIV-1 Envelope Mimicry of Host Enzyme Kynureninase Does Not Disrupt Tryptophan Metabolism.PMC5136304UM1 AI100645P30 AI064518Moody MAZhang JVerkoczy LBradley TBowman CMZhang RScearce RMIlkayeva OHaynes BFLiao HXReed SGSutherland LLNewgard CBHoll TMSantra SVandergrift NKelsoe GYang GKepler TBParks RAlam SMEveritt JIMcLendon RBouton-Verville HFox CBfalseHIV-1 Envelope Mimicry of Host Enzyme Kynureninase Does Not Disrupt Tryptophan Metabolism.The HIV-1 envelope protein (Env) has evolved to subvert the host immune system, hindering viral control by the host. The tryptophan metabolic enzyme kynureninase (KYNU) is mimicked by a portion of the HIV Env gp41 membrane proximal region (MPER) and is cross-reactive with the HIV broadly neutralizing Ab (bnAb) 2F5. Molecular mimicry of host proteins by pathogens can lead to autoimmune disease. In this article, we demonstrate that neither the 2F5 bnAb nor HIV MPER-KYNU cross-reactive Abs elicited by immunization with an MPER peptide-liposome vaccine in 2F5 bnAb V_HDJ_H and V_LJ_L knock-in mice and rhesus macaques modified KYNU activity or disrupted tissue tryptophan metabolism. Thus, molecular mimicry by HIV-1 Env that promotes the evasion of host ant2016-01-01T00:00:00Z2016 Dec2026-05-03T22:37:42.676Z2019-03-27T02:30:42ZS-EPMC51363042784917010.4049/jimmunol.1601484