Biology subjects

Zolla-Pazner, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Zolla-Pazner, S..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Antibody recognition of CD4-induced open HIV-1 Env trimers

HIV-1 envelope (Env), a heterotrimer of gp120-gp41 subunits, mediates fusion of the viral and host cell membranes after interactions with the host receptor CD4 and a coreceptor. CD4 binding induces rearrangements in Env trimer, resulting in a CD4-induced (CD4i) open Env conformation. Structural studies of antibodies isolated from infected donors have defined antibody-Env interactions, with one class of antibodies specifically recognizing the CD4i open Env conformation. Here, we characterize a group of monoclonal antibodies isolated from HIV-1 infected donors (V2i mAbs) that display characteristics of CD4i antibodies. Binding experiments demonstrate that the V2i mAbs preferentially recognize CD4-bound open Env trimers. Structural characterizations of V2i mAb-Env-CD4 trimer complexes using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy show recognition by V2i mAbs using different angles of approach to the gp120 V1V2 domain and the {beta}2/{beta}3 strands on a CD4i open conformation Env with no direct interactions of the mAbs with CD4. We also characterize CG10, a CD4i antibody that was raised in mice immunized with a gp120-CD4 complex, complexed with Env trimer and CD4. CG10 exhibits similar characteristics to the V2i antibodies: i.e., recognition of the open Env conformation, but shows direct contacts to both CD4 and gp120. Structural comparisons of these and previously characterized CD4i antibody interactions with Env provide a suggested mechanism for how these antibodies are elicited during HIV-1 infection. ImportanceThe RV144 HIV-1 clinical vaccination trial showed mild protection against viral infection. Antibody responses to the V1V2 region of HIV-1 Env gp120 were correlated inversely with the risk of infection. In addition, antibodies targeting V1V2 have been correlated with protections from SIV and SHIV infections in non-human primates. We structurally characterized V2i antibodies directed against V1V2 isolated from HIV-1 infected humans in complex with open Env trimers bound to the host receptor CD4. We also characterized a CD4i antibody that interacts with CD4 as well as the gp120 subunit of an open Env trimer. Our study suggests how V2i and CD4i antibodies were elicited during HIV-1 infection.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2022

HIV-1 Vpu restricts Fc-mediated effector functions in vivo

Non-neutralizing antibodies (nnAbs) can eliminate HIV-1-infected cells via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and were identified as a correlate of protection in the RV144 vaccine trial. Fc-mediated effector functions of nnAbs were recently shown to alter the course of HIV-1 infection in vivo using a vpu-defective virus. Since Vpu is known to downregulate cell surface CD4, which triggers conformational changes in the viral envelope glycoprotein (Env), we ask whether the lack of Vpu expression was linked to the observed nnAbs activity. We found that restoring Vpu expression greatly reduces nnAb recognition of infected cells, rendering them resistant to ADCC responses. Moreover, administration of a nnAb in humanized mice reduces viral loads only in animals infected with a vpu-defective but not with a wildtype virus. Finally, nnAb Fc-effector functions are observed only on cells expressing Env in the "open" conformation. This work highlights the importance of Vpu-mediated evasion of humoral responses.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

Impact of IgG isotype on the induction of antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis of HIV by human milk leukocytes

Approximately 100,000 mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) events of HIV via human milk feeding occur each year (1). However, only about 15% of infants milk-fed by untreated HIV+ mothers become infected, suggesting a protective effect of the milk itself (1, 2). Infants ingest 105-108 maternal leukocytes daily via milk, which remain functional beyond ingestion (3-9). Such function may be elicited by maternal milk antibody (Ab). Though IgA is dominant in milk, most HIV-specific milk Abs are of the IgG subclass, highlighting the importance of investigating the function of each IgG isotype in the milk context (10-16). Though Ab effector function mediated by the constant (Fc) domain via interaction with Fc Receptors (FcRs), such as Ab-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), are critical in protecting against HIV infection, ADCP is largely unexplored as it relates to mitigation of MTCT (17-21). Presently we report the ADCP activity of milk leukocytes against HIV particles and immune complexes (ICs), using 57 unique samples from 34 women, elicited by IgG1/2/3/4 of monoclonal (m)Ab 246-D. Granulocyte ADCP of HIV was most potent compared to other phagocytes when elicited by IgG1/3/4. IgG1/3 activated granulocytes similarly, exhibiting 1.6x-4.4x greater activity compared to IgG2/4, and a preference for virus compared to ICs. Notably, CD16-monocyte ADCP of a given target were unaffected by isotype, and CD16+ monocytes were poorly stimulated by IgG1. IgG2/4 elicited potent IC ADCP, and in terms of total leukocyte IC ADCP, IgG4 and IgG3 exhibited similar function, with IgG4 eliciting 1.6x-2.1x greater activity compared to IgG1/IgG2, and CD16+ monocytes most stimulated by IgG2. These data contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of Fc-mediated functionality of milk leukocytes, which is critical in order to develop therapeutic approaches to eliminating this route of MTCT, including mucosal administration of mAbs and/or a maternal vaccination aimed to elicit a potent milk Ab response.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2021

Non-neutralizing antibodies targeting the immunogenic regions of HIV-1 envelope reduce mucosal infection and virus burden in humanized mice

Antibodies are principal immune components elicited by vaccines to induce protection from microbial pathogens. In the Thai RV144 HIV-1 vaccine trial, vaccine efficacy was 31% and the sole primary correlate of reduced risk was shown to be vigorous antibody response targeting the V1V2 region of HIV-1 envelope. Antibodies against V3 also were inversely correlated with infection risk in subsets of vaccinees. Antibodies recognizing these regions, however, do not exhibit potent neutralizing activity. Therefore, we examined the antiviral potential of poorly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against immunodominant V1V2 and V3 sites by passive administration of human mAbs to humanized mice engrafted with CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells, followed by mucosal challenge with an HIV-1 infectious molecular clone (IMC) expressing the envelope of a tier 2 resistant HIV-1 strain. Treatment with anti-V1V2 mAb 2158 or anti-V3 mAb 2219 did not prevent infection, but both reduced the virus burden, and V3 mAb 2219 displayed a superior potency compared to V1V2 mAb 2158. While these mAbs had no or weak neutralizing activity and elicited undetectable levels of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), V3 mAb 2219 displayed a greater capacity to bind virus- and cell-associated HIV-1 envelope and to mediate antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) and C1q complement binding as compared to V1V2 mAb 2158. Mutations in the Fc region of 2219 abolished these effector activities and abrogated virus control in humanized mice. These results demonstrate the importance of Fc functions other than ADCC for antibodies without potent neutralizing activity.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2020

Signal Peptide of HIV-1 Envelope Functions to Modulate Glycosylation Impacting Exposure of V1V2 Epitopes

HIV-1 envelope (Env) is a trimer of gp120-gp41 heterodimers, synthesized from a precursor gp160 that contains an ER-targeting signal peptide (SP) at its amino-terminus. Each trimer is swathed by [~]90 N-linked glycans, comprising complex-type and oligomannose-type glycans, which play an important role in determining virus sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies. We previously examined the effects of single point SP mutations on Env properties and functions. Here, we aimed to understand the impact of the SP diversity on glycosylation of virus-derived Env and virus neutralization by swapping SPs. Analyses of site-specific glycans revealed that SP swapping altered Env glycan content and occupancy on multiple N-linked glycosites, including the conserved N156 and N160 glycans in the V1V2 region at the Env trimer apex. Virus neutralization was also affected, especially by antibodies against the V2i, V2p and V2q epitopes. Likewise, SP swaps affected the recognition of soluble and cell-associated Env by antibodies targeting distinct V1V2 configurations. These data highlight the contribution of SP sequence diversity in shaping the Env glycan content and its impact on the configuration and accessibility of V1V2 epitopes on Env. Author SummaryHIV-1 Env glycoprotein is produced by a precursor gp160 that has a signal peptide at its N-terminus. The SP is highly diverse among the HIV-1 isolates and no two SP are same. This study presents site-specific analyses of N-linked glycosylation on HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins from infectious viruses produced with different envelope signal peptides. We show that signal peptide swapping alters the envelope glycan shield, including the conserved N156 and N160 located in the V1V2 region on the trimer apex, to impact Env recognition and virus neutralization by antibodies, particularly those targeting the the V1V2 region. The data offer crucial insights into the role of signal peptide in the interplay between HIV-1 and antibodies and its potential utility to control Env glycosylation in the development of Env-based HIV-1 vaccine.

microbiology↗