HIV Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about HIV, including details on human immunodeficiency virus, testing, treatment, prevention, vaccines, aids.

Nature of nonfunctional envelope proteins on the surface of human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Moore PL, Crooks ET, Porter L, Zhu P, Cayanan CS, Grise H, Corcoran P, Zwick MB, Franti M, Morris L, Roux KH, Burton DR, Binley JM

Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, San Diego, CA 92121, USA.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) neutralizing antibodies are thought be distinguished from nonneutralizing antibodies by their ability to recognize functional gp120/gp41 envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimers. The antibody responses induced by natural HIV-1 infection or by vaccine candidates tested to date consist largely of nonneutralizing antibodies. One might have expected a more vigorous neutralizing response, particularly against virus particles that bear functional trimers. The recent surprising observation that nonneutralizing antibodies can specifically capture HIV-1 may provide a clue relating to this paradox. Specifically, it was suggested that forms of Env, to which nonneutralizing antibodies can bind, exist on virus surfaces. Here, we present evidence that HIV-1 particles bear nonfunctional gp120/gp41 monomers and gp120-depleted gp41 stumps. Using a native electrophoresis band shift assay, we show that antibody-trimer binding predicts neutralization and that the nonfunctional forms of Env may account for virus capture by nonneutralizing antibodies. We hypothesize that these nonfunctional forms of Env on particle surfaces serve to divert the antibody response, helping the virus to evade neutralization.

Published 13 February 2006 in J Virol, 80(5): 2515-28.
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