Preferential Infection of α4β7+ Memory CD4+ T Cells During Early Acute Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection

Mechanisms of mucosal immunity at the female reproductive tract involved in defense against HIV infection

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 remains a major global health threat. Since the virus is often transmitted through sexual intercourse and women account for the majority of new infections within the most endemic regions, research on mucosal immunity at the female reproductive tract (FRT) is of paramount importance. At the FRT, there are intrinsic barriers to HIV-1 infection, such as epithelial cells and the microbiome, and immune cells of both the innate and adaptive arms are prepared to respond in case the virus overcomes the first line of defense. In this review, we discuss recent findings on FRT mucosal mechanisms of HIV-1 defense and highlight research gaps. While defense from HIV-1 infection at the FRT has been understudied, current and future research is essential to develop new therapeutics and vaccines that can protect this unique mucosal site from HIV-1.

The V2 domain of HIV gp120 mimics an interaction between CD4 and integrin ⍺4β7

The CD4 receptor, by stabilizing TCR-MHC II interactions, plays a central role in adaptive immunity. It also serves as the HIV docking receptor. The HIV gp120 envelope protein binds directly to CD4. This interaction is a prerequisite for viral entry. gp120 also binds to ⍺4β7, an integrin that is expressed on a subset of memory CD4+ T cells. HIV tropisms for CD4+ T cells and gut tissues are central features of HIV pathogenesis. We report that CD4 binds directly to ⍺4β7 in a dynamic way, consistent with a cis regulatory interaction. The molecular details of this interaction are related to the way in which gp120 interacts with both receptors. Like MAdCAM-1 and VCAM-1, two recognized ligands of ⍺4β7, the binding interface on CD4 includes 2 sites (1° and accessory), distributed across its two N-terminal IgSF domains (D1 and D2). The 1° site includes a sequence in the G β-strand of CD4 D2, KIDIV, that binds directly to ⍺4β7. This pentapeptide sequence occurs infrequently in eukaryotic proteins. However, a closely related and conserved sequence, KLDIV, appears in the V2 domain of gp120. KLDIV mediates gp120-⍺4β7 binding. The accessory ⍺4β7 binding site on CD4 includes Phe43. The Phe43 aromatic ring protrudes outward from one edge of a loop connecting the C'C" strands of CD4 D1. Phe43 is a principal contact for HIV gp120. It interacts with conserved residues in the recessed CD4 binding pocket. Substitution of Phe43 abrogates CD4 binding to both gp120 and ⍺4β7. As such, the interactions of gp120 with both CD4 and ⍺4β7 reflect elements of their interactions with each other. These findings indicate that gp120 specificities for CD4 and ⍺4β7 are interrelated and suggest that selective pressures which produced a CD4 tropic virus that replicates in gut tissues are linked to a dynamic interaction between these two receptors.

Single-cell epigenetic, transcriptional, and protein profiling of latent and active HIV-1 reservoir revealed that IKZF3 promotes HIV-1 persistence

Understanding how HIV-1-infected cells proliferate and persist is key to HIV-1 eradication, but the heterogeneity and rarity of HIV-1-infected cells hamper mechanistic interrogations. Here, we used single-cell DOGMA-seq to simultaneously capture transcription factor accessibility, transcriptome, surface proteins, HIV-1 DNA, and HIV-1 RNA in memory CD4+ T cells from six people living with HIV-1 during viremia and after suppressive antiretroviral therapy. We identified increased transcription factor accessibility in latent HIV-1-infected cells (RORC) and transcriptionally active HIV-1-infected cells (interferon regulatory transcription factor [IRF] and activator protein 1 [AP-1]). A proliferation program (IKZF3, IL21, BIRC5, and MKI67 co-expression) promoted the survival of transcriptionally active HIV-1-infected cells. Both latent and transcriptionally active HIV-1-infected cells had increased IKZF3 (Aiolos) expression. Distinct epigenetic programs drove the heterogeneous cellular states of HIV-1-infected cells: IRF:activation, Eomes:cytotoxic effector differentiation, AP-1:migration, and cell death. Our study revealed the single-cell epigenetic, transcriptional, and protein states of latent and transcriptionally active HIV-1-infected cells and cellular programs promoting HIV-1 persistence.

MAdCAM-1 costimulation in the presence of retinoic acid and TGF-β promotes HIV infection and differentiation of CD4+ T cells into CCR5+ TRM-like cells

CD4+ tissue resident memory T cells (TRMs) are implicated in the formation of persistent HIV reservoirs that are established during the very early stages of infection. The tissue-specific factors that direct T cells to establish tissue residency are not well defined, nor are the factors that establish viral latency. We report that costimulation via MAdCAM-1 and retinoic acid (RA), two constituents of gut tissues, together with TGF-β, promote the differentiation of CD4+ T cells into a distinct subset α4β7+CD69+CD103+ TRM-like cells. Among the costimulatory ligands we evaluated, MAdCAM-1 was unique in its capacity to upregulate both CCR5 and CCR9. MAdCAM-1 costimulation rendered cells susceptible to HIV infection. Differentiation of TRM-like cells was reduced by MAdCAM-1 antagonists developed to treat inflammatory bowel diseases. These finding provide a framework to better understand the contribution of CD4+ TRMs to persistent viral reservoirs and HIV pathogenesis.

Immunization with HIV-1 trimeric SOSIP.664 BG505 or Founder Virus C (FVCEnv) covalently complexed to two-domain CD4S60C elicits cross-clade neutralizing antibodies in New Zealand white rabbits

Background: An ongoing challenge in HIV-1 vaccine research is finding a novel HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env)-based immunogen that elicits broadly cross-neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) without requiring complex sequential immunization regimens to drive the required antibody affinity maturation. Previous vaccination studies have shown monomeric Env and Env trimers which contain the GCN4 leucine zipper trimerization domain and are covalently bound to the first two domains of CD4 (2dCD4^S60C) generate potent bnAbs in small animals. Since SOSIP.664 trimers are considered the most accurate, conformationally intact representation of HIV-1 Env generated to date, this study further evaluated the immunogenicity of SOSIP.664 HIV Env trimers (the well characterized BG505 and FVC_Env) covalently complexed to 2dCD4^S60C. Methods: Recombinant BG505 SOSIP.664 and FVC_Env SOSIP.664 were expressed in mammalian cells, purified, covalently coupled to 2dCD4^S60C and antigenically characterized for their interaction with HIV-1 bnAbs. The immunogenicity of BG505 SOSIP.664-2dCD4^S60C and FVC_Env SOSIP.664-2dCD4^S60C was investigated in New Zealand white rabbits and compared to unliganded FVC_Env and 2dCD4^S60C. Rabbit sera were tested for the presence of neutralizing antibodies against a panel of 17 pseudoviruses. Results: Both BG505 SOSIP.664-2dCD4^S60C and FVC_Env SOSIP.664-2dCD4^S60C elicited a potent, HIV-specific response in rabbits with antibodies having considerable potency and breadth (70.5% and 76%, respectively) when tested against a global panel of 17 pseudoviruses mainly composed of harder-to-neutralize multiple clade tier-2 pseudoviruses. Conclusion: BG505 SOSIP.664-2dCD4^S60C and FVC_EnvSOSIP.664-2dCD4^S60C are highly immunogenic and elicit potent, broadly neutralizing antibodies, the extent of which has never been reported previously for SOSIP.664 trimers. Adding to our previous results, the ability to consistently elicit these types of potent, cross-neutralizing antibody responses is dependent on novel epitopes exposed following the covalent binding of Env (independent of sequence and conformation) to 2dCD4^S60C. These findings justify further investment into research exploring modified open, CD4-bound Env conformations as novel vaccine immunogens.

Th17 CD4+ T-Cell as a Preferential Target for HIV Reservoirs

Among CD4+ T-cells, T helper 17 (Th17) cells play a sentinel role in the defense against bacterial/fungal pathogens at mucosal barriers. However, Th17 cells are also highly susceptible to HIV-1 infection and are rapidly depleted from gut mucosal sites, causing an imbalance of the Th17/Treg ratio and impairing cytokines production. Consequently, damage to the gut mucosal barrier leads to an enhanced microbial translocation and systemic inflammation, a hallmark of HIV-1 disease progression. Th17 cells’ expression of mucosal homing receptors (CCR6 and α4β7), as well as HIV receptors and co-receptors (CD4, α4β7, CCR5, and CXCR4), contributes to susceptibility to HIV infection. The up-regulation of numerous intracellular factors facilitating HIV production, alongside the downregulation of factors inhibiting HIV, helps to explain the frequency of HIV DNA within Th17 cells. Th17 cells harbor long-lived viral reservoirs in people living with HIV (PLWH) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Moreover, cell longevity and the proliferation of a fraction of Th17 CD4 T cells allow HIV reservoirs to be maintained in ART patients.

Th17 T cells and immature dendritic cells are the preferential initial targets after rectal challenge with an SIV-based replication-defective dual-reporter vector

Understanding the earliest events of HIV sexual transmission is critical to develop and optimize HIV prevention strategies. To gain insights into the earliest steps of HIV rectal transmission, including cellular targets, rhesus macaques were intra-rectally challenged with a single-round SIV-based dual reporter that expresses luciferase and iRFP670 upon productive transduction. The vector was pseudotyped with the HIV-1 envelope JRFL. Regions of tissue containing foci of luminescent, transduced cells were identified macroscopically using an in vivo imaging system, and individual transduced cells expressing fluorescent protein were identified and phenotyped microscopically. This system revealed that anal and rectal tissues are both susceptible to transduction 48 hours after the rectal challenge. Detailed phenotypic analysis revealed that on average, 62% of transduced cells are CCR6⁺ T cells-the vast majority of which express RORγT, a Th17 lineage-specific transcription factor. The second most common target cells were immature dendritic cells at 20%. These two cell types were transduced at the rates that are four to five times higher than their relative abundances indicate. Our work demonstrates that Th17 T and immature dendritic cells are preferential initial targets of HIV/SIV rectal transmission. IMPORTANCE Men and women who participate in unprotected receptive anal intercourse are at high risk for acquiring HIV. While in vitro data have developed a framework for understanding HIV cell tropism, the initial target cells in the rectal mucosa have not been identified. In this study, we identify these early host cells by using an innovative rhesus macaque rectal challenge model and methodology, which we previously developed. Thus, by shedding light on these early HIV/SIV transmission events, this study provides a specific cellular target for future prevention strategies.

Circulating integrin α4 β7 + CD4 T cells are enriched for proliferative transcriptional programs in HIV infection

HIV preferentially infects α₄ β₇ ⁺ CD4 T cells, forming latent reservoirs that contribute to HIV persistence during antiretroviral therapy. However, the properties of α₄ β₇ ⁺ CD4 T cells in blood and mucosal compartments remain understudied. Employing two distinct models of HIV infection, HIV-infected humans and simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)-infected rhesus macaques, we show that α₄ β₇ ⁺ CD4 T cells in blood are enriched for genes regulating cell cycle progression and cellular metabolism. Unlike their circulating counterparts, rectal α₄ β₇ ⁺ CD4 T cells exhibited a core tissue-residency gene expression program. These features were conserved across primate species, indicating that the environment influences memory T-cell transcriptional networks. Our findings provide an important molecular foundation for understanding the role of α₄ β₇ in HIV infection.

Gut Microbiome Homeostasis and the CD4 T- Follicular Helper Cell IgA Axis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) are associated with severe perturbations in the gut mucosal environment characterized by massive viral replication and depletion of CD4 T cells leading to dysbiosis, breakdown of the epithelial barrier, microbial translocation, immune activation and disease progression. Multiple mechanisms play a role in maintaining homeostasis in the gut mucosa and protecting the integrity of the epithelial barrier. Among these are the secretory IgA (sIgA) that are produced daily in vast quantities throughout the mucosa and play a pivotal role in preventing commensal microbes from breaching the epithelial barrier. These microbe specific, high affinity IgA are produced by IgA+ plasma cells that are present within the Peyer’s Patches, mesenteric lymph nodes and the isolated lymphoid follicles that are prevalent in the lamina propria of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Differentiation, maturation and class switching to IgA producing plasma cells requires help from T follicular helper (Tfh) cells that are present within these lymphoid tissues. HIV replication and CD4 T cell depletion is accompanied by severe dysregulation of Tfh cell responses that compromises the generation of mucosal IgA that in turn alters barrier integrity leading to commensal bacteria readily breaching the epithelial barrier and causing mucosal pathology. Here we review the effect of HIV infection on Tfh cells and mucosal IgA responses in the GIT and the consequences these have for gut dysbiosis and mucosal immunopathogenesis.

HIV-1 Entry and Prospects for Protecting against Infection

Human Immunodeficiency Virus type-1 (HIV-1) establishes a latent viral reservoir soon after infection, which poses a major challenge for drug treatment and curative strategies. Many efforts are therefore focused on blocking infection. To this end, both viral and host factors relevant to the onset of infection need to be considered. Given that HIV-1 is most often transmitted mucosally, strategies designed to protect against infection need to be effective at mucosal portals of entry. These strategies need to contend also with cell-free and cell-associated transmitted/founder (T/F) virus forms; both can initiate and establish infection. This review will discuss how insight from the current model of HIV-1 mucosal transmission and cell entry has highlighted challenges in developing effective strategies to prevent infection. First, we examine key viral and host factors that play a role in transmission and infection. We then discuss preventive strategies based on antibody-mediated protection, with emphasis on targeting T/F viruses and mucosal immunity. Lastly, we review treatment strategies targeting viral entry, with focus on the most clinically advanced entry inhibitors.

HIV persistence in subsets of CD4+ T cells: 50 shades of reservoirs

Antiretroviral therapy controls HIV replication but does not eliminate the virus from the infected host. The persistence of a small pool of cells harboring integrated and replication-competent HIV genomes impedes viral eradication efforts. The HIV reservoir was originally described as a relatively homogeneous pool of resting memory CD4+ T cells. Over the past 20 years, the identification of multiple cellular subsets of CD4+ T cells endowed with distinct biological properties shed new lights on the heterogeneity of HIV reservoirs. It is now clear that HIV persists in a large variety of CD4+ T cells, which contribute to HIV persistence through different mechanisms. In this review, we summarize recent findings indicating that specific biological features of well-characterized subsets of CD4+ T cells individually contribute to the persistence of HIV. These include an increased sensitivity to HIV infection, specific tissue locations, enhanced survival and heightened capacity to proliferate. We also discuss the relative abilities of these cellular reservoirs to contribute to viral rebound upon ART interruption. Together, these findings reveal that the HIV reservoir is not homogeneous and should be viewed as a mosaic of multiple cell types that all contribute to HIV persistence through different mechanisms.

Longitudinal Analysis of Peripheral and Colonic CD161+ CD4+ T Cell Dysfunction in Acute HIV-1 Infection and Effects of Early Treatment Initiation

CD161 expression on CD4⁺ T cells is associated with a Th17 functional phenotype, as well as with an innate capacity to respond to interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18 without T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation. Chronic HIV-1 infection is associated with loss of the CD161⁺ CD4 T cell population, and non-human primate studies suggest that their depletion is associated with disease progression. However, the dynamics of the CD161⁺ CD4⁺ T cell population during acute HIV-1 infection remains unknown. In this study, we characterize peripheral blood CD161⁺ CD4⁺ T cells in detail, and examine how they are affected during the earliest stages of HIV-1 infection. Unbiased surface proteome screening and principal component analysis indicated that CD161⁺ CD4⁺ T cells are relatively phenotypically homogeneous between donors, and are intermediates between conventional CD4 T cells and innate-like T cells. In acute untreated HIV-1 infection, the circulating CD161⁺ CD4⁺ T cell population decreased in frequency, as did absolute cell counts starting from peak viral load, with elevated levels of activation and exhaustion markers expressed throughout acute HIV-1 infection. The capacity of these cells to respond to stimulation with IL-12 and IL-18 was also reduced. Early initiation of anti-retroviral treatment (ART) during acute HIV-1 infection restored the functionality of peripheral blood CD161⁺ CD4⁺ T cells, but not their frequency. In contrast, early ART initiation prevented the decline of colonic CD161⁺ CD4⁺ T cells that otherwise started during acute infection. Furthermore, loss of peripheral and colonic CD161⁺ CD4⁺ T cells in untreated infection was associated with levels of viral load. These results suggest that acute HIV-1 infection has profound effects on the CD161⁺ CD4⁺ T cell population that could not be completely prevented by the initiation of ART.

The V2 loop of HIV gp120 delivers costimulatory signals to CD4+ T cells through Integrin α4β7 and promotes cellular activation and infection

Acute HIV infection is characterized by rapid viral seeding of immunologic inductive sites in the gut followed by the severe depletion of gut CD4⁺ T cells. Trafficking of α₄β₇-expressing lymphocytes to the gut is mediated by MAdCAM, the natural ligand of α₄β₇ that is expressed on gut endothelial cells. MAdCAM signaling through α₄β₇ costimulates CD4⁺ T cells and promotes HIV replication. Similar to MAdCAM, the V2 domain of the gp120 HIV envelope protein binds to α₄β₇ In this study, we report that gp120 V2 shares with MAdCAM the capacity to signal through α₄β₇ resulting in CD4⁺ T cell activation and proliferation. As with MAdCAM-mediated costimulation, cellular activation induced by gp120 V2 is inhibited by anti-α₄β₇ monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). It is also inhibited by anti-V2 domain antibodies including nonneutralizing mAbs that recognize an epitope in V2 that has been linked to reduced risk of acquisition in the RV144 vaccine trial. The capacity of the V2 domain of gp120 to mediate signaling through α₄β₇ likely impacts early events in HIV infection. The capacity of nonneutralizing V2 antibodies to block this activity reveals a previously unrecognized mechanism whereby such antibodies might impact HIV transmission and pathogenesis.

Anti-α4β7 monoclonal antibody-conjugated nanoparticles block integrin α4β7 on intravaginal T cells in rhesus macaques

Intravenous administration of anti-α₄β₇ monoclonal antibody in macaques decreases simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) vaginal infection and reduces gut SIV loads. Because of potential side effects of systemic administration, a prophylactic strategy based on mucosal administration of anti-α₄β₇ antibody may be safer and more effective. With this in mind, we developed a novel intravaginal formulation consisting of anti-α₄β₇ monoclonal antibody-conjugated nanoparticles (NPs) loaded in a 1% hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) gel (NP-α₄β₇ gel). When intravaginally administered as a single dose in a rhesus macaque model, the formulation preferentially bound to CD4⁺ or CD3⁺ T cells expressing high levels of α₄β₇, and occupied ~40% of α₄β₇ expressed by these subsets and ~25% of all cells expressing α₄β₇ Blocking of the α₄β₇ was restricted to the vaginal tract without any changes detected systemically.