Functional Stability of HIV-1 Envelope Trimer Affects Accessibility to Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies at Its Apex

Membrane HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins stabilized more strongly in a pretriggered conformation than natural virus Envs

The pretriggered conformation of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer ((gp120/gp41)3) is targeted by virus entry inhibitors and broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). The lability of pretriggered Env has hindered its characterization. Here, we produce membrane Env variants progressively stabilized in pretriggered conformations, in some cases to a degree beyond that found in natural HIV-1 strains. Pretriggered Env stability correlated with stronger trimer subunit association, increased virus sensitivity to bNAb neutralization, and decreased capacity to mediate cell-cell fusion and virus entry. For some highly stabilized Env mutants, after virus-host cell engagement, the normally inaccessible gp120 V3 region on an Env intermediate became targetable by otherwise poorly neutralizing antibodies. Thus, evolutionary pressure on HIV-1 Env to maintain trimer integrity, responsiveness to the CD4 receptor, and resistance to antibodies modulates pretriggered Env stability. The strongly stabilized pretriggered membrane Envs reported here will facilitate further characterization of this functionally important conformation.

Alterations in gp120 glycans or the gp41 fusion peptide-proximal region modulate the stability of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein pretriggered conformation

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer mediates entry into host cells by binding receptors, CD4 and CCR5/CXCR4, and fusing the viral and cell membranes. In infected cells, cleavage of the gp160 Env precursor yields the mature Env trimer, with gp120 exterior and gp41 transmembrane Env subunits. Env cleavage stabilizes the State-1 conformation, which is the major target for broadly neutralizing antibodies, and decreases the spontaneous sampling of more open Env conformations that expose epitopes for poorly neutralizing antibodies. During HIV-1 entry into cells, CD4 binding drives the metastable Env from a pretriggered (State-1) conformation into more "open," lower-energy states. Here, we report that changes in two dissimilar elements of the HIV-1 Env trimer, namely particular gp120 glycans and the gp41 fusion peptide-proximal region (FPPR), can independently modulate the stability of State 1. Individual deletion of several gp120 glycans destabilized State 1, whereas removal of a V1 glycan resulted in phenotypes indicative of a more stable pretriggered Env conformation. Likewise, some alterations of the gp41 FPPR decreased the level of spontaneous shedding of gp120 from the Env trimer and stabilized the pretriggered State-1 Env conformation. State-1-stabilizing changes were additive and could suppress the phenotypes associated with State-1-destabilizing alterations in Env. Our results support a model in which multiple protein and carbohydrate elements of the HIV-1 Env trimer additively contribute to the stability of the pretriggered (State-1) conformation. The Env modifications identified in this study will assist efforts to characterize the structure and immunogenicity of the metastable State-1 conformation. IMPORTANCE The elicitation of antibodies that neutralize multiple strains of HIV-1 is an elusive goal that has frustrated the development of an effective vaccine. The pretriggered shape of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) spike on the virus surface is the major target for such broadly neutralizing antibodies. The "closed" pretriggered Env shape resists the binding of most antibodies but is unstable and often assumes "open" shapes that elicit ineffective antibodies. We identified particular changes in both the protein and the sugar components of the Env trimer that stabilize the pretriggered shape. Combinations of these changes were even more effective at stabilizing the pretriggered Env than the individual changes. Stabilizing changes in Env could counteract the effect of Env changes that destabilize the pretriggered shape. Locking Env in its pretriggered shape will assist efforts to understand the Env spike on the virus and to incorporate this shape into vaccines.

Membrane-bound mRNA immunogens lower the threshold to activate HIV Env V2 apex-directed broadly neutralizing B cell precursors in humanized mice

Eliciting broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) is the core of HIV vaccine design. bnAbs specific to the V2-apex region of the HIV envelope acquire breadth and potency with modest somatic hypermutation, making them attractive vaccination targets. To evaluate Apex germline-targeting (ApexGT) vaccine candidates, we engineered knockin (KI) mouse models expressing the germline B cell receptor (BCR) of the bnAb PCT64. We found that high affinity of the ApexGT immunogen for PCT64-germline BCRs was necessary to specifically activate KI B cells at human physiological frequencies, recruit them to germinal centers, and select for mature bnAb mutations. Relative to protein, mRNA-encoded membrane-bound ApexGT immunization significantly increased activation and recruitment of PCT64 precursors to germinal centers and lowered their affinity threshold. We have thus developed additional models for HIV vaccine research, validated ApexGT immunogens for priming V2-apex bnAb precursors, and identified mRNA-LNP as a suitable approach to substantially improve the B cell response.

SERINC5 Restricts HIV-1 Infectivity by Promoting Conformational Changes and Accelerating Functional Inactivation of Env

SERINC5 incorporates into HIV-1 particles and inhibits the ability of Env glycoprotein to mediate virus-cell fusion. SERINC5-resistance maps to Env, with primary isolates generally showing greater resistance than laboratory-adapted strains. Here, we examined a relationship between the inhibition of HIV-1 infectivity and the rate of Env inactivation using a panel of SERINC5-resistant and -sensitive HIV-1 Envs. SERINC5 incorporation into pseudoviruses resulted in a faster inactivation of sensitive compared to resistant Env strains. A correlation between fold reduction in infectivity and the rate of inactivation was also observed for multiple Env mutants known to stabilize and destabilize the closed Env structure. Unexpectedly, most mutations disfavoring the closed Env conformation rendered HIV-1 less sensitive to SERINC5. In contrast, functional inactivation of SERINC5-containing viruses was significantly accelerated in the presence of a CD4-mimetic compound, suggesting that CD4 binding sensitizes Env to SERINC5. Using a small molecule inhibitor that selectively targets the closed Env structure, we found that, surprisingly, SERINC5 increases the potency of this compound against a laboratory-adapted Env which prefers a partially open conformation, indicating that SERINC5 may stabilize the closed trimeric Env structure. Our results reveal a complex effect of SERINC5 on Env conformational dynamics that promotes Env inactivation and is likely responsible for the observed restriction phenotype.

Safety and tolerability of AAV8 delivery of a broadly neutralizing antibody in adults living with HIV: a phase 1, dose-escalation trial

Adeno-associated viral vector-mediated transfer of DNA coding for broadly neutralizing anti-HIV antibodies (bnAbs) offers an alternative to attempting to induce protection by vaccination or by repeated infusions of bnAbs. In this study, we administered a recombinant bicistronic adeno-associated virus (AAV8) vector coding for both the light and heavy chains of the potent broadly neutralizing HIV-1 antibody VRC07 (AAV8-VRC07) to eight adults living with HIV. All participants remained on effective anti-retroviral therapy (viral load (VL) <50 copies per milliliter) throughout this phase 1, dose-escalation clinical trial ( NCT03374202 ). AAV8-VRC07 was given at doses of 5 × 1010, 5 × 1011 and 2.5 × 1012 vector genomes per kilogram by intramuscular (IM) injection. Primary endpoints of this study were to assess the safety and tolerability of AAV8-VRC07; to determine the pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity of in vivo VRC07 production; and to describe the immune response directed against AAV8-VRC07 vector and its products. Secondary endpoints were to assess the clinical effects of AAV8-VRC07 on CD4 T cell count and VL and to assess the persistence of VRC07 produced in participants. In this cohort, IM injection of AAV8-VRC07 was safe and well tolerated. No clinically significant change in CD4 T cell count or VL occurred during the 1-3 years of follow-up reported here. In participants who received AAV8-VRC07, concentrations of VRC07 were increased 6 weeks (P = 0.008) and 52 weeks (P = 0.016) after IM injection of the product. All eight individuals produced measurable amounts of serum VRC07, with maximal VRC07 concentrations >1 µg ml-1 in three individuals. In four individuals, VRC07 serum concentrations remained stable near maximal concentration for up to 3 years of follow-up. In exploratory analyses, neutralizing activity of in vivo produced VRC07 was similar to that of in vitro produced VRC07. Three of eight participants showed a non-idiotypic anti-drug antibody (ADA) response directed against the Fab portion of VRC07. This ADA response appeared to decrease the production of serum VRC07 in two of these three participants. These data represent a proof of concept that adeno-associated viral vectors can durably produce biologically active, difficult-to-induce bnAbs in vivo, which could add valuable new tools to the fight against infectious diseases.

Functional and Highly Cross-Linkable HIV-1 Envelope Glycoproteins Enriched in a Pretriggered Conformation

Binding to the receptor, CD4, drives the pretriggered, "closed" (state-1) conformation of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer into more "open" conformations (states 2 and 3). Broadly neutralizing antibodies, which are elicited inefficiently, mostly recognize the state-1 Env conformation, whereas the more commonly elicited poorly neutralizing antibodies recognize states 2/3. HIV-1 Env metastability has created challenges for defining the state-1 structure and developing immunogens mimicking this labile conformation. The availability of functional state-1 Envs that can be efficiently cross-linked at lysine and/or acidic amino acid residues might assist these endeavors. To that end, we modified HIV-1_AD8 Env, which exhibits an intermediate level of triggerability by CD4. We introduced lysine/acidic residues at positions that exhibit such polymorphisms in natural HIV-1 strains. Env changes that were tolerated with respect to gp120-gp41 processing, subunit association, and virus entry were further combined. Two common polymorphisms, Q114E and Q567K, as well as a known variant, A582T, additively rendered pseudoviruses resistant to cold, soluble CD4, and a CD4-mimetic compound, phenotypes indicative of stabilization of the pretriggered state-1 Env conformation. Combining these changes resulted in two lysine-rich HIV-1_AD8 Env variants (E.2 and AE.2) with neutralization- and cold-resistant phenotypes comparable to those of natural, less triggerable tier 2/3 HIV-1 isolates. Compared with these and the parental Envs, the E.2 and AE.2 Envs were cleaved more efficiently and exhibited stronger gp120-trimer association in detergent lysates. These highly cross-linkable Envs enriched in a pretriggered conformation should assist characterization of the structure and immunogenicity of this labile state. IMPORTANCE The development of an efficient vaccine is critical for combating HIV-1 infection worldwide. However, the instability of the pretriggered shape (state 1) of the viral envelope glycoprotein (Env) makes it difficult to raise neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1. Here, by introducing multiple changes in Env, we derived two HIV-1 Env variants that are enriched in state 1 and can be efficiently cross-linked to maintain this shape. These Env complexes are more stable in detergent, assisting their purification. Thus, our study provides a path to a better characterization of the native pretriggered Env, which should assist vaccine development.

Engineering well-expressed, V2-immunofocusing HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein membrane trimers for use in heterologous prime-boost vaccine regimens

HIV-1 vaccine immunofocusing strategies may be able to induce broadly-reactive neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). Here, we engineered a panel of diverse, membrane-resident native HIV-1 trimers vulnerable to two broad targets-the V2 apex and fusion peptide (FP). Selection criteria included i) high expression and ii) infectious function, so that trimer neutralization sensitivity can be profiled in pseudovirus (PV) assays. Initially, we boosted the expression of 17 candidate trimers by truncating gp41 and introducing a gp120-gp41 SOS disulfide to prevent gp120 shedding. "Repairs" were made to fill glycan holes and eliminate other strain-specific aberrations. A new neutralization assay allowed PV infection when our standard assay was insufficient. Trimers with exposed V3 loops, a target of non-NAbs, were discarded. To try to increase V2-sensitivity, we removed clashing glycans and modified the C-strand. Notably, a D167N mutation improved V2-sensitivity in several cases. Glycopeptide analysis of JR-FL trimers revealed near complete sequon occupation and that filling the N197 glycan hole was well-tolerated. In contrast, sequon optimization and inserting/removing glycans at other positions frequently had global "ripple" effects on glycan maturation and sequon occupation throughout the gp120 outer domain and gp41. V2 MAb CH01 selectively bound to trimers with small high mannose glycans near the base of the V1 loop, thereby avoiding clashes. Knocking in a rare N49 glycan was found to perturb gp41 glycans, increasing FP NAb sensitivity-and sometimes improving expression. Finally, a biophysical analysis of VLPs revealed that i) ~25% of particles bear Env spikes, ii) spontaneous particle budding is high and only increases 4-fold upon Gag transfection, and iii) Env+ particles express ~30-40 spikes. Taken together, we identified 7 diverse trimers with a range of sensitivities to two targets to allow rigorous testing of immunofocusing vaccine concepts.

Targeted destabilization of the HIV-1 gp120-gp41 interface leads to convergent evolution with mutations in the V1V2, HR1 and HR2 domains

The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer is responsible for viral entry into target cells and is the sole target of neutralizing antibodies. The Env protein is therefore the focus of HIV-1 vaccine design. Env consists of two noncovalently linked subunits (gp120 and gp41) that form a trimer of heterodimers and this 6-subunit complex is metastable and conformationally flexible. Several approaches have been pursued to stabilize the Env trimer for vaccine purposes, which include structure-based design, high-throughput screening, and selection by mammalian cell display. Here, we employed directed virus evolution to improve Env trimer stability. Accordingly, we deliberately destabilized the Env gp120-gp41 interface by mutagenesis in the context of replicating HIV-1 LAI virus and virus evolution over time. We identified compensatory changes that pointed at convergent evolution, as they were largely restricted to specific Env regions, namely, the V1V2 domain of gp120 and the HR1 and HR2 domain of gp41. Specifically, S614G in V1V2 and Q567R in HR1 were frequently identified. Interestingly, the majority of the compensatory mutations were at distant locations from the original mutations and most likely strengthen intersubunit interactions. These results show how the virus can overcome Env instability and illuminate the regions that play a dominant role in Env stability.

IMPORTANCE A successful HIV-1 vaccine most likely requires an envelope glycoprotein (Env) component, as Env is the only viral protein on the surface of the virus and the target for neutralizing antibodies. However, HIV Env is metastable and flexible because of the weak interactions between the Env subunits, complicating the generation of recombinant mimics of native Env. Here, we used directed viral evolution to study Env stability. We deliberately destabilized the interface between Env subunits and explored the capacity of the virus to repair trimer instability by evolution. We identified compensatory mutations that converged in specific Env locations: the apex and the trimer interface. Selected mutations enhanced the stability of recombinant soluble Env trimer proteins. These results provided clues on understanding the structural mechanisms involved in Env trimer stability, which can guide future immunogen design.

Membrane Env Liposomes Facilitate Immunization with Multivalent Full-Length HIV Spikes

A major goal of HIV vaccine design is to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). Such bNAbs target HIV's trimeric, membrane-embedded envelope glycoprotein spikes (mEnv). Soluble Env (sEnv) trimers have been used as vaccines, but engineering sEnvs for stability, multivalency, and desired antigenicity is problematic and deletes key neutralizing epitopes on glycoprotein 41 (gp41) while creating neoepitopes that elicit unwanted antibodies. Meanwhile, multivalent mEnv vaccines are challenging to develop due to trimer instability and low mEnv copy number amid other extraneous proteins on virus-like particles. Here, we describe a multivalent mEnv vaccine platform that does not require protein engineering or extraneous proteins. mEnv trimers were fixed, purified, and combined with naked liposomes in mild detergent. On removal of detergent, mEnv spikes were observed embedded in liposome particles (mean diameter, 133 nm) in correct orientation. These particles were recognized by HIV bNAbs and not non-NAbs and are designated mEnv liposomes (MELs). Following a sequential immunization scheme in rabbits, MELs elicited antibodies that neutralized tier 2 HIV isolates. Analysis of serum antibody specificities, including those to epitopes involving a missing conserved N-glycosylation site at position 197 near the CD4 binding site on two of the immunogens, provides clues on how NAb responses can be improved with modified immunogens. In sum, MELs are a biochemically defined platform that enables rational immunization strategies to elicit HIV bNAbs using multimerized mEnv. IMPORTANCE A vaccine that induced broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV would likely end the AIDS pandemic. Such antibodies target membrane-embedded envelope glycoprotein spikes (mEnv) that HIV uses to enter cells. Due to HIV Env's low expression and instability, soluble stabilized Env trimers have been used as vaccine candidates, but these have an altered base that disrupts targets of HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies that bind near the membrane and are not available for all HIV isolates. Here, we describe membrane Env liposomes (MELs) that display a multivalent array of stable mEnvs on liposome particles. MELs showed the expected antibody recognition properties, including targeting parts of mEnv missing on soluble Envs. Immunization with MELs elicited antibodies that neutralized diverse HIV isolates. The MEL platform facilitates vaccine development with potentially any HIV Env at high valency, and a similar approach may be useful for eliciting antibodies to membrane-embedded targets of therapeutic interest.

A Rare Mutation in an Infant-Derived HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein Alters Interprotomer Stability and Susceptibility to Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies Targeting the Trimer Apex

The envelope glycoprotein (Env) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the sole target of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). Several mechanisms, such as the acquisition of mutations, variability of the loop length, and alterations in the glycan pattern, are employed by the virus to shield neutralizing epitopes on Env to sustain survival and infectivity within the host. The identification of mutations that lead to viral evasion of the host immune response is essential for the optimization and engineering of Env-based trimeric immunogens. Here, we report a rare leucine-to-phenylalanine escape mutation (L184F) at the base of hypervariable loop 2 (population frequency of 0.0045%) in a 9-month-old perinatally HIV-1-infected infant broad neutralizer. The L184F mutation altered the trimer conformation by modulating intramolecular interactions stabilizing the trimer apex and led to viral escape from autologous plasma bnAbs and known N160 glycan-targeted bnAbs. The L184F amino acid change led to the acquisition of a relatively open trimeric conformation, often associated with tier 1 HIV-1 isolates and increased susceptibility to neutralization by polyclonal plasma antibodies of weak neutralizers. While there was no impact of the L184F mutation on free virus transmission, a reduction in cell-to-cell transmission was observed. In conclusion, we report a naturally selected viral mutation, L184F, that influenced a change in the conformation of the Env trimer apex as a mechanism of escape from contemporaneous plasma V2 apex-targeted nAbs. Further studies should be undertaken to define viral mutations acquired during natural infection, to escape selection pressure exerted by bnAbs, to inform vaccine design and bnAb-based therapeutic strategies.IMPORTANCE The design of HIV-1 envelope-based immunogens capable of eliciting broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) is currently under active research. Some of the most potent bnAbs target the quaternary epitope at the V2 apex of the HIV-1 Env trimer. By studying naturally circulating viruses from a perinatally HIV-1-infected infant with plasma neutralizing antibodies targeted to the V2 apex, we identified a rare leucine-to-phenylalanine substitution, in two out of six functional viral clones, that destabilized the trimer apex. This single-amino-acid alteration impaired the interprotomeric interactions that stabilize the trimer apex, resulting in an open trimer conformation and escape from broadly neutralizing autologous plasma antibodies and known V2 apex-directed bnAbs, thereby favoring viral evasion of the early bnAb response of the infected host. Defining the mechanisms by which naturally occurring viral mutations influence the sensitivity of HIV-1 to bnAbs will provide information for the development of vaccines and bnAbs as anti-HIV-1 reagents.

Gp41-targeted antibodies restore infectivity of a fusion-deficient HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein

The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) mediates viral entry via conformational changes associated with binding the cell surface receptor (CD4) and coreceptor (CCR5/CXCR4), resulting in subsequent fusion of the viral and cellular membranes. While the gp120 Env surface subunit has been extensively studied for its role in viral entry and evasion of the host immune response, the gp41 transmembrane glycoprotein and its role in natural infection are less well characterized. Here, we identified a primary HIV-1 Env variant that consistently supports >300% increased viral infectivity in the presence of autologous or heterologous HIV-positive plasma. However, in the absence of HIV-positive plasma, viruses with this Env exhibited reduced infectivity that was not due to decreased CD4 binding. Using Env chimeras and sequence analysis, we mapped this phenotype to a change Q563R, in the gp41 heptad repeat 1 (HR1) region. We demonstrate that Q563R reduces viral infection by disrupting formation of the gp41 six-helix bundle required for virus-cell membrane fusion. Intriguingly, antibodies that bind cluster I epitopes on gp41 overcome this inhibitory effect, restoring infectivity to wild-type levels. We further demonstrate that the Q563R change increases HIV-1 sensitivity to broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) targeting the gp41 membrane-proximal external region (MPER). In summary, we identify an HIV-1 Env variant with impaired infectivity whose Env functionality is restored through the binding of host antibodies. These data contribute to our understanding of gp41 residues involved in membrane fusion and identify a mechanism by which host factors can alleviate a viral defect.

CpG Frequency in the 5' Third of the env Gene Determines Sensitivity of Primary HIV-1 Strains to the Zinc-Finger Antiviral Protein

CpG dinucleotide suppression has been reported to allow HIV-1 to evade inhibition by the zinc-finger antiviral protein (ZAP). Here, we show that primate lentiviruses display marked differences in CpG frequencies across their genome, ranging from 0.44% in simian immunodeficiency virus SIVwrc from Western red colobus to 2.3% in SIVmon infecting mona monkeys. Moreover, functional analyses of a large panel of human and simian immunodeficiency viruses revealed that the magnitude of CpG suppression does not correlate with their susceptibility to ZAP. However, we found that the number of CpG dinucleotides within a region of ∼700 bases at the 5' end of the env gene determines ZAP sensitivity of primary HIV-1 strains but not of HIV-2. Increased numbers of CpGs in this region were associated with reduced env mRNA expression and viral protein production. ZAP sensitivity profiles of chimeric simian-human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIVs) expressing different HIV-1 env genes were highly similar to those of the corresponding HIV-1 strains. The frequency of CpGs in the identified env region correlated with differences in clinical progression rates. Thus, the CpG frequency in a specific part of env, rather than the overall genomic CpG content, governs the susceptibility of HIV-1 to ZAP and might affect viral pathogenicity in vivoIMPORTANCE Evasion of the zinc-finger antiviral protein (ZAP) may drive CpG dinucleotide suppression in HIV-1 and many other viral pathogens but the viral determinants of ZAP sensitivity are poorly defined. Here, we examined CpG suppression and ZAP sensitivity in a large number of primate lentiviruses and demonstrate that their genomic frequency of CpGs varies substantially and does not correlate with ZAP sensitivity. We further show that the number of CpG residues in a defined region at the 5' end of the env gene together with structural features plays a key role in HIV-1 susceptibility to ZAP and correlates with differences in clinical progression rates in HIV-1-infected individuals. Our identification of a specific part of env as a major determinant of HIV-1 susceptibility to ZAP restriction provides a basis for future studies of the underlying inhibitory mechanisms and their potential relevance in the pathogenesis of AIDS.

Antigenicity and immunogenicity of HIV-1 gp140 with different combinations of glycan mutation and V1/V2 region or V3 crown deletion

The carbohydrate moieties on HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) act as shields to mask conserved neutralizing epitopes, while the hyperimmunogenic variable regions are immunodominant in inducing non-neutralizing antibodies, representing the major challenge for using Env as a vaccine candidate to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). In this study, we designed a series of HIV-1 gp140 constructs with the removal of N276/N463 glycans, deletion of the V1/V2 region and the V3 crown, alone or in combination. We first demonstrated that all the constructs had a comparable level of expression and were mainly expressed as trimers. Following purification of gp140s from mammalian cells, we measured their binding to bNAbs and non-NAbs in vitro and capability in inducing bNAbs in vivo. Antibody binding assay showed that removal of N276/N463 glycans together with the deletion of V1/V2 region enhanced the binding of gp140s to CD4-binding site-targeting bNAbs VRC01 and 3BNC117, and CD4-induced epitopes-targeting non-NAbs A32, 17b and F425 A1g8, whereas further deletion of V3 crown in the gp140 mutants demonstrated slightly compromised binding capability to these Abs. Immunogenicity study showed that the above mutations did not lead to the induction of a higher Env-specific IgG response via either DNA-DNA or DNA-protein prime-boost strategies in mice, while neutralization assay did not show an apparent difference between wild type and mutated gp140s. Taken together, our results indicate that removal of glycans at N276/N463 and deletion of the V1/V2 region can expose the CD4-binding site and CD4-induced epitopes, but such exposure alone appears incapable of enhancing the induction of bNAbs in mice, informing that additional modification or/and immunization strategies are needed. In addition, the strategies which we established for producing gp140 proteins and for analyzing the antigenicity and immunogenicity of gp140 provide useful means for further vaccine design and assessment.

Glycoengineering HIV-1 Env creates 'supercharged' and 'hybrid' glycans to increase neutralizing antibody potency, breadth and saturation

The extensive glycosylation of HIV-1 envelope (Env) glycoprotein leaves few glycan-free holes large enough to admit broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAb). Consequently, most bnAbs must inevitably make some glycan contacts and avoid clashes with others. To investigate how Env glycan maturation regulates HIV sensitivity to bnAbs, we modified HIV-1 pseudovirus (PV) using various glycoengineering (GE) tools. Promoting the maturation of α-2,6 sialic acid (SA) glycan termini increased PV sensitivity to two bnAbs that target the V2 apex and one to the interface between Env surface gp120 and transmembrane gp41 subunits, typically by up to 30-fold. These effects were reversible by incubating PV with neuraminidase. The same bnAbs were unusually potent against PBMC-produced HIV-1, suggesting similar α-2,6 hypersialylated glycan termini may occur naturally. Overexpressing β-galactosyltransferase during PV production replaced complex glycans with hybrid glycans, effectively 'thinning' trimer glycan coverage. This increased PV sensitivity to some bnAbs but ablated sensitivity to one bnAb that depends on complex glycans. Other bnAbs preferred small glycans or galactose termini. For some bnAbs, the effects of GE were strain-specific, suggesting that GE had context-dependent effects on glycan clashes. GE was also able to increase the percent maximum neutralization (i.e. saturation) by some bnAbs. Indeed, some bnAb-resistant strains became highly sensitive with GE—thus uncovering previously unknown bnAb breadth. As might be expected, the activities of bnAbs that recognize glycan-deficient or invariant oligomannose epitopes were largely unaffected by GE. Non-neutralizing antibodies were also unaffected by GE, suggesting that trimers remain compact. Unlike mature bnAbs, germline-reverted bnAbs avoided or were indifferent to glycans, suggesting that glycan contacts are acquired as bnAbs mature. Together, our results suggest that glycovariation can greatly impact neutralization and that knowledge of the optimal Env glycoforms recognized by bnAbs may assist rational vaccine design.

Here we engineered various changes in the sizes and shapes of sugars that decorate HIV surface spike proteins and tested the effects of these changes on virus susceptibility to neutralizing antibodies. In so doing, we were able to define the optimal Env-sugars recognized by prototype bnAbs that recognize various canonical epitope clusters on Env spike proteins. Some bnAbs preferred spike proteins decorated with large, complex glycans. Others preferred smaller glycans that improved their access to underlying protein targets. For similar reasons, germline-reverted versions of bnAbs were also generally more effective when the glycans were small. In some cases, bnAbs acquired an ability to bind to sugars as they matured. A comparison of viruses generated in cell lines and primary cells revealed large differences in bnAb sensitivity, raising questions about clinical relevance of cell line-produced virus for checking vaccine responses and, moreover, the use of these cell lines for manufacturing vaccines. Overall, just as car engines may be modified to be supercharged or hybrid for increased power or efficiency, the sugars of HIV coat proteins may also need to be engineered as 'supercharged' and 'hybrid' or otherwise modified in rational vaccine designs to optimize bnAb recognition.