Pradel, B. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2023

LC3B conjugation machinery promotes autophagy-independent HIV-1 entry in CD4+ T lymphocytes

HIV-1 entry into CD4+ T lymphocytes relies on the viral and cellular membranes fusion, leading to viral capsid delivery in the cytoplasm of target cells. The conjugation of ATG8/LC3B protein, process referred to as ATG8ylation and mainly studied in the context of autophagy, occurs transiently in the early stages of the HIV-1 replication cycle in CD4+ T lymphocytes. Despite numerous studies investigating the interplays of HIV-1 with autophagy machinery, the impact of ATG8ylation in the early stages of HIV-1 infection remains unknown. Here we found that HIV-1 exposure leads to the rapid enrichment of LC3B towards the target cell plasma membrane, in close proximity with the incoming viral particles. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ATG8ylation is a key event that facilitates HIV-1 fusion with target CD4+ T cells. Interestingly, this effect is independent of the canonical autophagy pathway as ATG13 silencing does not prevent HIV-1 entry. Together, our results provide an unconventional role of LC3B conjugation subverted by HIV-1 to achieve a critical early step of its replication cycle. TeaserHIV-1 induces LC3B enrichment towards its target cell entry site and uses the conjugation of this protein to favor its entry step.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2019

HIV-1 Env induces pexophagy and an oxidative stress leading to uninfected CD4+ T cell death

The immunodeficiency observed in HIV-1-infected patients is mainly due to uninfected bystander CD4+ T lymphocytes death. The viral envelope glycoproteins (Env), expressed at the surface of infected cells, play a key role in this process. Env triggers autophagy, process necessary to subsequent apoptosis, and to production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in bystander CD4+ T cells. Here, we demonstrate that Env-induced oxidative stress is responsible for their death by apoptosis. Moreover, we report that peroxisomes, organelles involved in the control of oxidative stress, are targeted by Env-mediated autophagy. Indeed, we observe a selective autophagy-dependent decrease in the expression of peroxisomal proteins, catalase and PEX14, upon Env exposure, since the down-regulation of either BECLIN 1 or p62/SQSTM1 restores their expression levels. Fluorescence studies allowed us to conclude that Env-mediated autophagy degrades these entire organelles and specifically the mature ones. Together, our results on Env-induced pexophagy provide new clues on HIV-1-induced immunodeficiency.

cell biology↗