1
|
Gruenke P, Mayer MD, Aneja R, Schulze WJ, Song Z, Burke DH, Heng X, Lange MJ. A Branched SELEX Approach Identifies RNA Aptamers That Bind Distinct HIV-1 Capsid Structural Components. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:2637-2655. [PMID: 39016538 PMCID: PMC11320578 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
The HIV-1 capsid protein (CA) assumes distinct structural forms during replication, each presenting unique, solvent-accessible surfaces that facilitate multifaceted functions and host factor interactions. However, functional contributions of individual CA structures remain unclear, as evaluation of CA presents several technical challenges. To address this knowledge gap, we identified CA-targeting aptamers with different structural specificities, which emerged through a branched SELEX approach using an aptamer library previously selected to bind the CA hexamer lattice. Subsets were either highly specific for the CA lattice or bound both the CA lattice and CA hexamer. We then evaluated four representatives to reveal aptamer regions required for binding, highlighting interesting structural features and challenges in aptamer structure determination. Further, we demonstrate binding to biologically relevant CA structural forms and aptamer-mediated affinity purification of CA from cell lysates without virus or host modification, supporting the development of structural form-specific aptamers as exciting new tools for the study of CA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paige
R. Gruenke
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65212, United States
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Bond
Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Miles D. Mayer
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Rachna Aneja
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65212, United States
| | - William J. Schulze
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65212, United States
| | - Zhenwei Song
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Donald H. Burke
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65212, United States
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Bond
Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Xiao Heng
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Margaret J. Lange
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65212, United States
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kalams SA, Felber BK, Mullins JI, Scott HM, Allen MA, De Rosa SC, Heptinstall J, Tomaras GD, Hu J, DeCamp AC, Rosati M, Bear J, Pensiero MN, Eldridge J, Egan MA, Hannaman D, McElrath MJ, Pavlakis GN. Focusing HIV-1 Gag T cell responses to highly conserved regions by DNA vaccination in HVTN 119. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e180819. [PMID: 39088271 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.180819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDAn HIV-1 DNA vaccine composed of 7 highly conserved, structurally important elements (conserved elements, CE) of p24Gag was tested in a phase I randomized, double-blind clinical trial (HVTN 119, NCT03181789) in people without HIV. DNA vaccination of CE prime/CE+p55Gag boost was compared with p55Gag.METHODSTwo groups (n = 25) received 4 DNA vaccinations (CE/CE+p55Gag or p55Gag) by intramuscular injection/electroporation, including IL-12 DNA adjuvant. The placebo group (n = 6) received saline. Participants were followed for safety and tolerability. Immunogenicity was assessed for T cell and antibody responses.RESULTSBoth regimens were safe and generally well tolerated. The p24CE vaccine was immunogenic and significantly boosted by CE+p55Gag (64% CD4+, P = 0.037; 42% CD8+, P = 0.004). CE+p55Gag induced responses to 5 of 7 CE, compared with only 2 CE by p55Gag DNA, with a higher response to CE5 in 30% of individuals (P = 0.006). CE+p55Gag induced significantly higher CD4+ CE T cell breadth (0.68 vs. 0.22 CE; P = 0.029) and a strong trend for overall T cell breadth (1.14 vs. 0.52 CE; P = 0.051). Both groups developed high cellular and humoral responses. p24CE vaccine-induced CD4+ CE T cell responses correlated (P = 0.007) with p24Gag antibody responses.CONCLUSIONThe CE/CE+p55Gag DNA vaccine induced T cell responses to conserved regions in p24Gag, increasing breadth and epitope recognition throughout p55Gag compared with p55Gag DNA. Vaccines focusing immune responses by priming responses to highly conserved regions could be part of a comprehensive HIV vaccine strategy.TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinical Trials.gov NCT03181789FUNDINGHVTN, NIAID/NIH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Spyros A Kalams
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Barbara K Felber
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - James I Mullins
- Departments of Microbiology, Medicine and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Hyman M Scott
- San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mary A Allen
- Division of AIDS, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Stephen C De Rosa
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jack Heptinstall
- Duke Center for Human Systems Immunology, Departments of Surgery, Integrative Immunobiology, Molecular Genetics, and Microbiology, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Georgia D Tomaras
- Duke Center for Human Systems Immunology, Departments of Surgery, Integrative Immunobiology, Molecular Genetics, and Microbiology, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jiani Hu
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Allan C DeCamp
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Margherita Rosati
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Jenifer Bear
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael N Pensiero
- Division of AIDS, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - John Eldridge
- Auro Vaccines LLC (formerly Profectus BioSciences, Inc.), Pearl River, New York, USA
| | - Michael A Egan
- Auro Vaccines LLC (formerly Profectus BioSciences, Inc.), Pearl River, New York, USA
| | | | - M Juliana McElrath
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - George N Pavlakis
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jacobson JM, Felber BK, Chen H, Pavlakis GN, Mullins JI, De Rosa SC, Kuritzkes DR, Tomaras GD, Kinslow J, Bao Y, Olefsky M, Rosati M, Bear J, Heptinstall JR, Zhang L, Sawant S, Hannaman D, Laird GM, Cyktor JC, Heath SL, Collier AC, Koletar SL, Taiwo BO, Tebas P, Wohl DA, Belaunzaran-Zamudio PF, McElrath MJ, Landay AL. The immunogenicity of an HIV-1 Gag conserved element DNA vaccine in people with HIV and receiving antiretroviral therapy. AIDS 2024; 38:963-973. [PMID: 38051788 PMCID: PMC11062837 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the study was to assess the immunogenicity of an HIV-1 Gag conserved element DNA vaccine (p24CE DNA) in people with HIV (PWH) receiving suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART). DESIGN AIDS Clinical Trials Group A5369 was a phase I/IIa, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of PWH receiving ART with plasma HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies/ml, current CD4 + T-cell counts greater than 500 cells/μl, and nadir CD4 + T-cell counts greater than 350 cells/μl. METHODS The study enrolled 45 participants randomized 2 : 1 : 1 to receive p24CE DNA vaccine at weeks 0 and 4, followed by p24CE DNA admixed with full-length p55 Gag DNA vaccine at weeks 12 and 24 (arm A); full-length p55 Gag DNA vaccine at weeks 0, 4, 12, and 24 (arm B); or placebo at weeks 0, 4, 12, and 24 (arm C). The active and placebo vaccines were administered by intramuscular electroporation. RESULTS There was a modest, but significantly greater increase in the number of conserved elements recognized by CD4 + and/or CD8 + T cells in arm A compared with arm C ( P = 0.014). The percentage of participants with an increased number of conserved elements recognized by T cells was also highest in arm A (8/18, 44.4%) vs. arm C (0/10, 0.0%) ( P = 0.025). There were no significant differences between treatment groups in the change in magnitude of responses to total conserved elements. CONCLUSION A DNA-delivered HIV-1 Gag conserved element vaccine boosted by a combination of this vaccine with a full-length p55 Gag DNA vaccine induced a new conserved element-directed cellular immune response in approximately half the treated PWH on ART.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M Jacobson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
| | - Barbara K Felber
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD
| | - Huichao Chen
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - George N Pavlakis
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD
| | - James I Mullins
- Departments of Microbiology, Medicine, and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Stephen C De Rosa
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Daniel R Kuritzkes
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Georgia D Tomaras
- Duke Center for Human Systems Immunology, Departments of Surgery, Immunology, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Durham, NC
| | - Jennifer Kinslow
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Yajing Bao
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | | | - Margherita Rosati
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD
| | - Jenifer Bear
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD
| | - Jack R Heptinstall
- Duke Center for Human Systems Immunology, Departments of Surgery, Immunology, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Durham, NC
| | - Lu Zhang
- Duke Center for Human Systems Immunology, Departments of Surgery, Immunology, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Durham, NC
| | - Sheetal Sawant
- Duke Center for Human Systems Immunology, Departments of Surgery, Immunology, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Durham, NC
| | | | | | - Joshua C Cyktor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Sonya L Heath
- Division of Infectious Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Ann C Collier
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Susan L Koletar
- Division of Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Babafemi O Taiwo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Pablo Tebas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - David A Wohl
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Pablo F Belaunzaran-Zamudio
- Contractor, Division of AIDS, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - M Juliana McElrath
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Alan L Landay
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gruenke PR, Mayer MD, Aneja R, Song Z, Burke DH, Heng X, Lange MJ. Differentiation SELEX approach identifies RNA aptamers with different specificities for HIV-1 capsid assembly forms. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.11.571135. [PMID: 38168417 PMCID: PMC10760009 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.11.571135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The HIV-1 capsid protein (CA) assumes distinct assembly forms during replication, each presenting unique, solvent-accessible surfaces that facilitate multifaceted functions and host factor interactions. However, contributions of individual CA assemblies remain unclear, as the evaluation of CA in cells presents several technical challenges. To address this need, we sought to identify CA assembly form-specific aptamers. Aptamer subsets with different specificities emerged from within a highly converged, pre-enriched aptamer library previously selected to bind the CA hexamer lattice. Subsets were either highly specific for CA lattice or bound both CA lattice and CA hexamer. We further evaluated four representatives to reveal aptamer structural features required for binding, highlighting interesting features and challenges in aptamer structure determination. Importantly, our aptamers bind biologically relevant forms of CA and we demonstrate aptamer-mediated affinity purification of CA from cell lysates without virus or host modification. Thus, we have identified CA assembly form-specific aptamers that represent exciting new tools for the study of CA.
Collapse
|
5
|
Bhattacharyya S, Crain CR, Goldberg B, Gaiha GD. Features of functional and dysfunctional CD8+ T cells to guide HIV vaccine development. Curr Opin HIV AIDS 2023; 18:257-263. [PMID: 37535040 PMCID: PMC10503300 DOI: 10.1097/coh.0000000000000812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW CD8+ T cell responses are a key component of the host immune response to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but vary significantly across individuals with distinct clinical outcomes. These differences help inform the qualitative features of HIV-specific CD8+ T cells that we should aim to induce by vaccination. RECENT FINDINGS We review previous and more recent findings on the features of dysfunctional and functional CD8+ T cell responses that develop in individuals with uncontrolled and controlled HIV infection, with particular emphasis on proliferation, cytotoxic effector function, epitope specificity, and responses in lymph nodes. We also discuss the implications of these findings for both prophylactic and therapeutic T cell vaccine development within the context of T cell vaccine trials. SUMMARY The induction of HIV specific CD8+ T cell responses is an important goal of ongoing vaccine efforts. Emerging data on the key features of CD8+ T cell responses that distinguish individuals who spontaneously control from those with progressive disease continues to provide key guidance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaown Bhattacharyya
- Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Charles R Crain
- Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Benjamin Goldberg
- Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Gaurav D Gaiha
- Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Meanwell NA. Sub-stoichiometric Modulation of Viral Targets-Potent Antiviral Agents That Exploit Target Vulnerability. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1021-1030. [PMID: 37583823 PMCID: PMC10424314 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The modulation of oligomeric viral targets at sub-stoichiometric ratios of drug to target has been advocated for its efficacy and potency, but there are only a limited number of documented examples. In this Viewpoint, we summarize the invention of the HIV-1 maturation inhibitor fipravirimat and discuss the emerging details around the mode of action of this class of drug that reflects inhibition of a protein composed of 1,300-1,600 monomers that interact in a cooperative fashion. Similarly, the HCV NS5A inhibitor daclatasvir has been shown to act in a highly sub-stoichiometric fashion, inhibiting viral replication at concentrations that are ∼23,500 lower than that of the protein target.
Collapse
|
7
|
Schirra RT, Dos Santos NFB, Zadrozny KK, Kucharska I, Ganser-Pornillos BK, Pornillos O. A molecular switch modulates assembly and host factor binding of the HIV-1 capsid. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:383-390. [PMID: 36759579 PMCID: PMC10023569 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-022-00913-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
The HIV-1 capsid is a fullerene cone made of quasi-equivalent hexamers and pentamers of the viral CA protein. Typically, quasi-equivalent assembly of viral capsid subunits is controlled by a molecular switch. Here, we identify a Thr-Val-Gly-Gly motif that modulates CA hexamer/pentamer switching by folding into a 310 helix in the pentamer and random coil in the hexamer. Manipulating the coil/helix configuration of the motif allowed us to control pentamer and hexamer formation in a predictable manner, thus proving its function as a molecular switch. Importantly, the switch also remodels the common binding site for host factors that are critical for viral replication and the new ultra-potent HIV-1 inhibitor lenacapavir. This study reveals that a critical assembly element also modulates the post-assembly and viral replication functions of the HIV-1 capsid and provides new insights on capsid function and inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Randall T Schirra
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Nayara F B Dos Santos
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Kaneil K Zadrozny
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Iga Kucharska
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- The Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Barbie K Ganser-Pornillos
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
| | - Owen Pornillos
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Valentin A, Bergamaschi C, Rosati M, Angel M, Burns R, Agarwal M, Gergen J, Petsch B, Oostvogels L, Loeliger E, Chew KW, Deeks SG, Mullins JI, Pavlakis GN, Felber BK. Comparative immunogenicity of an mRNA/LNP and a DNA vaccine targeting HIV gag conserved elements in macaques. Front Immunol 2022; 13:945706. [PMID: 35935984 PMCID: PMC9355630 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.945706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunogenicity of HIV-1 mRNA vaccine regimens was analyzed in a non-human primate animal model. Rhesus macaques immunized with mRNA in lipid nanoparticle (mRNA/LNP) formulation expressing HIV-1 Gag and Gag conserved regions (CE) as immunogens developed robust, durable antibody responses but low adaptive T-cell responses. Augmentation of the dose resulted in modest increases in vaccine-induced cellular immunity, with no difference in humoral responses. The gag mRNA/lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccine provided suboptimal priming of T cell responses for a heterologous DNA booster vaccination regimen. In contrast, a single immunization with gag mRNA/LNP efficiently boosted both humoral and cellular responses in macaques previously primed by a gag DNA-based vaccine. These anamnestic cellular responses were mediated by activated CD8+ T cells with a phenotype of differentiated T-bet+ cytotoxic memory T lymphocytes. The heterologous prime/boost regimens combining DNA and mRNA/LNP vaccine modalities maximized vaccine-induced cellular and humoral immune responses. Analysis of cytokine responses revealed a transient systemic signature characterized by the release of type I interferon, IL-15 and IFN-related chemokines. The pro-inflammatory status induced by the mRNA/LNP vaccine was also characterized by IL-23 and IL-6, concomitant with the release of IL-17 family of cytokines. Overall, the strong boost of cellular and humoral immunity induced by the mRNA/LNP vaccine suggests that it could be useful as a prophylactic vaccine in heterologous prime/boost modality and in immune therapeutic interventions against HIV infection or other chronic human diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Valentin
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Cristina Bergamaschi
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Margherita Rosati
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Matthew Angel
- Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cncer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Center for Cancer Research Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Robert Burns
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Mahesh Agarwal
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Kara W. Chew
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Steven G. Deeks
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - James I. Mullins
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - George N. Pavlakis
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Barbara K. Felber
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Barbara K. Felber,
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gruenke PR, Aneja R, Welbourn S, Ukah OB, Sarafianos SG, Burke DH, Lange MJ. Selection and identification of an RNA aptamer that specifically binds the HIV-1 capsid lattice and inhibits viral replication. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:1701-1717. [PMID: 35018437 PMCID: PMC8860611 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The HIV-1 capsid core participates in several replication processes. The mature capsid core is a lattice composed of capsid (CA) monomers thought to assemble first into CA dimers, then into ∼250 CA hexamers and 12 CA pentamers. CA assembly requires conformational flexibility of each unit, resulting in the presence of unique, solvent-accessible surfaces. Significant advances have improved our understanding of the roles of the capsid core in replication; however, the contributions of individual CA assembly forms remain unclear and there are limited tools available to evaluate these forms in vivo. Here, we have selected aptamers that bind CA lattice tubes. We describe aptamer CA15-2, which selectively binds CA lattice, but not CA monomer or CA hexamer, suggesting that it targets an interface present and accessible only on CA lattice. CA15-2 does not compete with PF74 for binding, indicating that it likely binds a non-overlapping site. Furthermore, CA15-2 inhibits HIV-1 replication when expressed in virus producer cells, but not target cells, suggesting that it binds a biologically-relevant site during virus production that is either not accessible during post-entry replication steps or is accessible but unaltered by aptamer binding. Importantly, CA15-2 represents the first aptamer that specifically recognizes the HIV-1 CA lattice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paige R Gruenke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Rachna Aneja
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Sarah Welbourn
- Emory Vaccine Center and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Obiaara B Ukah
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Stefan G Sarafianos
- Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Donald H Burke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Margaret J Lange
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
McFadden WM, Snyder AA, Kirby KA, Tedbury PR, Raj M, Wang Z, Sarafianos SG. Rotten to the core: antivirals targeting the HIV-1 capsid core. Retrovirology 2021; 18:41. [PMID: 34937567 PMCID: PMC8693499 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-021-00583-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The capsid core of HIV-1 is a large macromolecular assembly that surrounds the viral genome and is an essential component of the infectious virus. In addition to its multiple roles throughout the viral life cycle, the capsid interacts with multiple host factors. Owing to its indispensable nature, the HIV-1 capsid has been the target of numerous antiretrovirals, though most capsid-targeting molecules have not had clinical success until recently. Lenacapavir, a long-acting drug that targets the HIV-1 capsid, is currently undergoing phase 2/3 clinical trials, making it the most successful capsid inhibitor to-date. In this review, we detail the role of the HIV-1 capsid protein in the virus life cycle, categorize antiviral compounds based on their targeting of five sites within the HIV-1 capsid, and discuss their molecular interactions and mechanisms of action. The diverse range of inhibition mechanisms provides insight into possible new strategies for designing novel HIV-1 drugs and furthers our understanding of HIV-1 biology. ![]()
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William M McFadden
- Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Alexa A Snyder
- Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Karen A Kirby
- Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Philip R Tedbury
- Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Monika Raj
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Zhengqiang Wang
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Stefan G Sarafianos
- Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA. .,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Saito A, Yamashita M. HIV-1 capsid variability: viral exploitation and evasion of capsid-binding molecules. Retrovirology 2021; 18:32. [PMID: 34702294 PMCID: PMC8549334 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-021-00577-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The HIV-1 capsid, a conical shell encasing viral nucleoprotein complexes, is involved in multiple post-entry processes during viral replication. Many host factors can directly bind to the HIV-1 capsid protein (CA) and either promote or prevent HIV-1 infection. The viral capsid is currently being explored as a novel target for therapeutic interventions. In the past few decades, significant progress has been made in our understanding of the capsid–host interactions and mechanisms of action of capsid-targeting antivirals. At the same time, a large number of different viral capsids, which derive from many HIV-1 mutants, naturally occurring variants, or diverse lentiviruses, have been characterized for their interactions with capsid-binding molecules in great detail utilizing various experimental techniques. This review provides an overview of how sequence variation in CA influences phenotypic properties of HIV-1. We will focus on sequence differences that alter capsid–host interactions and give a brief account of drug resistant mutations in CA and their mutational effects on viral phenotypes. Increased knowledge of the sequence-function relationship of CA helps us deepen our understanding of the adaptive potential of the viral capsid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akatsuki Saito
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.,Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yamashita
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kaseke C, Tano-Menka R, Senjobe F, Gaiha GD. The Emerging Role for CTL Epitope Specificity in HIV Cure Efforts. J Infect Dis 2021; 223:32-37. [PMID: 33586771 PMCID: PMC7883022 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of an effective human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cure is a critical global health priority. A major obstacle to this effort is the establishment of a latent reservoir of HIV infected cells, which necessitates lifelong therapy, causing both logistical and adherence burdens for infected individuals. However, in a subset of these individuals, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) can durably suppress viral outgrowth in the absence of therapy, providing a path towards a viable HIV cure. In this review, we discuss the emerging role that CTLs have in HIV cure efforts, with particular emphasis on epitope specificity. Recent studies have demonstrated that successful in vivo containment of the virus is rooted in the specific targeting of fitness-constrained, mutation-resistant regions of the HIV proteome. We highlight these new insights, providing context with previous observations in HIV and other models of viral control, and delineate their translation into a therapeutic vaccine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clarety Kaseke
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rhoda Tano-Menka
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fernando Senjobe
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Virology Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gaurav D Gaiha
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Toccafondi E, Lener D, Negroni M. HIV-1 Capsid Core: A Bullet to the Heart of the Target Cell. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:652486. [PMID: 33868211 PMCID: PMC8046902 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.652486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The first step of the intracellular phase of retroviral infection is the release of the viral capsid core in the cytoplasm. This structure contains the viral genetic material that will be reverse transcribed and integrated into the genome of infected cells. Up to recent times, the role of the capsid core was considered essentially to protect this genetic material during the earlier phases of this process. However, increasing evidence demonstrates that the permanence inside the cell of the capsid as an intact, or almost intact, structure is longer than thought. This suggests its involvement in more aspects of the infectious cycle than previously foreseen, particularly in the steps of viral genomic material translocation into the nucleus and in the phases preceding integration. During the trip across the infected cell, many host factors are brought to interact with the capsid, some possessing antiviral properties, others, serving as viral cofactors. All these interactions rely on the properties of the unique component of the capsid core, the capsid protein CA. Likely, the drawback of ensuring these multiple functions is the extreme genetic fragility that has been shown to characterize this protein. Here, we recapitulate the busy agenda of an HIV-1 capsid in the infectious process, in particular in the light of the most recent findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniela Lener
- CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Matteo Negroni
- CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Lee E, Sandgren K, Duette G, Stylianou VV, Khanna R, Eden JS, Blyth E, Gottlieb D, Cunningham AL, Palmer S. Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid and Spike T-Cell Epitopes for Assessing T-Cell Immunity. J Virol 2021; 95:e02002-20. [PMID: 33443088 PMCID: PMC8579755 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02002-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Developing optimal T-cell response assays to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is critical for measuring the duration of immunity to this disease and assessing the efficacy of vaccine candidates. These assays need to target conserved regions of SARS-CoV-2 global variants and avoid cross-reactivity to seasonal human coronaviruses. To contribute to this effort, we employed an in silico immunoinformatics analysis pipeline to identify immunogenic peptides resulting from conserved and highly networked regions with topological importance from the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid and spike proteins. A total of 57 highly networked T-cell epitopes that are conserved across geographic viral variants were identified from these viral proteins, with a binding potential to diverse HLA alleles and 80 to 100% global population coverage. Importantly, 18 of these T-cell epitope derived peptides had limited homology to seasonal human coronaviruses making them promising candidates for SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell immunity assays. Moreover, two of the NC-derived peptides elicited effector/polyfunctional responses of CD8+ T cells derived from SARS-CoV-2 convalescent patients.IMPORTANCE The development of specific and validated immunologic tools is critical for understanding the level and duration of the cellular response induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or vaccines against this novel coronavirus disease. To contribute to this effort, we employed an immunoinformatics analysis pipeline to define 57 SARS-CoV-2 immunogenic peptides within topologically important regions of the nucleocapsid (NC) and spike (S) proteins that will be effective for detecting cellular immune responses in 80 to 100% of the global population. Our immunoinformatics analysis revealed that 18 of these peptides had limited homology to circulating seasonal human coronaviruses and therefore are promising candidates for distinguishing SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses from pre-existing coronavirus immunity. Importantly, CD8+ T cells derived from SARS-CoV-2 survivors exhibited polyfunctional effector responses to two novel NC-derived peptides identified as HLA-binders. These studies provide a proof of concept that our immunoinformatics analysis pipeline identifies novel immunogens which can elicit polyfunctional SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eunok Lee
- Centre for Virus Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kerrie Sandgren
- Centre for Virus Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gabriel Duette
- Centre for Virus Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vicki V Stylianou
- Centre for Virus Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rajiv Khanna
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- QIMR Berghofer Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - John-Sebastian Eden
- Centre for Virus Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Emily Blyth
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- BMT and Cell Therapies Program, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Gottlieb
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- BMT and Cell Therapies Program, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anthony L Cunningham
- Centre for Virus Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sarah Palmer
- Centre for Virus Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ahmed SF, Quadeer AA, Morales-Jimenez D, McKay MR. Sub-dominant principal components inform new vaccine targets for HIV Gag. Bioinformatics 2020; 35:3884-3889. [PMID: 31250884 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btz524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Patterns of mutational correlations, learnt from patient-derived sequences of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) proteins, are informative of biochemically linked networks of interacting sites that may enable viral escape from the host immune system. Accurate identification of these networks is important for rationally designing vaccines which can effectively block immune escape pathways. Previous computational methods have partly identified such networks by examining the principal components (PCs) of the mutational correlation matrix of HIV Gag proteins. However, driven by a conservative approach, these methods analyze the few dominant (strongest) PCs, potentially missing information embedded within the sub-dominant (relatively weaker) ones that may be important for vaccine design. RESULTS By using sequence data for HIV Gag, complemented by model-based simulations, we revealed that certain networks of interacting sites that appear important for vaccine design purposes are not accurately reflected by the dominant PCs. Rather, these networks are encoded jointly by both dominant and sub-dominant PCs. By incorporating information from the sub-dominant PCs, we identified a network of interacting sites of HIV Gag that associated very strongly with viral control. Based on this network, we propose several new candidates for a potent T-cell-based HIV vaccine. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION Accession numbers of all sequences used and the source code scripts for all analysis and figures reported in this work are available online at https://github.com/faraz107/HIV-Gag-Immunogens. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Syed Faraz Ahmed
- Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ahmed A Quadeer
- Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - David Morales-Jimenez
- Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Matthew R McKay
- Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Gaiha GD, Rossin EJ, Urbach J, Landeros C, Collins DR, Nwonu C, Muzhingi I, Anahtar MN, Waring OM, Piechocka-Trocha A, Waring M, Worrall DP, Ghebremichael MS, Newman RM, Power KA, Allen TM, Chodosh J, Walker BD. Structural topology defines protective CD8 + T cell epitopes in the HIV proteome. Science 2019; 364:480-484. [PMID: 31048489 PMCID: PMC6855781 DOI: 10.1126/science.aav5095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Mutationally constrained epitopes of variable pathogens represent promising targets for vaccine design but are not reliably identified by sequence conservation. In this study, we employed structure-based network analysis, which applies network theory to HIV protein structure data to quantitate the topological importance of individual amino acid residues. Mutation of residues at important network positions disproportionately impaired viral replication and occurred with high frequency in epitopes presented by protective human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I alleles. Moreover, CD8+ T cell targeting of highly networked epitopes distinguished individuals who naturally control HIV, even in the absence of protective HLA alleles. This approach thereby provides a mechanistic basis for immune control and a means to identify CD8+ T cell epitopes of topological importance for rational immunogen design, including a T cell-based HIV vaccine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav D Gaiha
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Rossin
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jonathan Urbach
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - David R Collins
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Chioma Nwonu
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Itai Muzhingi
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Melis N Anahtar
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Olivia M Waring
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Alicja Piechocka-Trocha
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Michael Waring
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Daniel P Worrall
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Ruchi M Newman
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Karen A Power
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Todd M Allen
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - James Chodosh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Bruce D Walker
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Quinn CM, Wang M, Fritz MP, Runge B, Ahn J, Xu C, Perilla JR, Gronenborn AM, Polenova T. Dynamic regulation of HIV-1 capsid interaction with the restriction factor TRIM5α identified by magic-angle spinning NMR and molecular dynamics simulations. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:11519-11524. [PMID: 30333189 PMCID: PMC6233135 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1800796115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The host factor protein TRIM5α plays an important role in restricting the host range of HIV-1, interfering with the integrity of the HIV-1 capsid. TRIM5 triggers an antiviral innate immune response by functioning as a capsid pattern recognition receptor, although the precise mechanism by which the restriction is imposed is not completely understood. Here we used an integrated magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular dynamics simulations approach to characterize, at atomic resolution, the dynamics of the capsid's hexameric and pentameric building blocks, and the interactions with TRIM5α in the assembled capsid. Our data indicate that assemblies in the presence of the pentameric subunits are more rigid on the microsecond to millisecond timescales than tubes containing only hexamers. This feature may be of key importance for controlling the capsid's morphology and stability. In addition, we found that TRIM5α binding to capsid induces global rigidification and perturbs key intermolecular interfaces essential for higher-order capsid assembly, with structural and dynamic changes occurring throughout the entire CA polypeptide chain in the assembly, rather than being limited to a specific protein-protein interface. Taken together, our results suggest that TRIM5α uses several mechanisms to destabilize the capsid lattice, ultimately inducing its disassembly. Our findings add to a growing body of work indicating that dynamic allostery plays a pivotal role in capsid assembly and HIV-1 infectivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M Quinn
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
- Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
| | - Mingzhang Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
- Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
| | - Matthew P Fritz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
- Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
| | - Brent Runge
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
- Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
| | - Jinwoo Ahn
- Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
| | - Chaoyi Xu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
| | - Juan R Perilla
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716;
- Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
| | - Angela M Gronenborn
- Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260;
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
| | - Tatyana Polenova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716;
- Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Quinn CM, Polenova T. Structural biology of supramolecular assemblies by magic-angle spinning NMR spectroscopy. Q Rev Biophys 2017; 50:e1. [PMID: 28093096 PMCID: PMC5483179 DOI: 10.1017/s0033583516000159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, exciting developments in instrument technology and experimental methodology have advanced the field of magic-angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to new heights. Contemporary MAS NMR yields atomic-level insights into structure and dynamics of an astounding range of biological systems, many of which cannot be studied by other methods. With the advent of fast MAS, proton detection, and novel pulse sequences, large supramolecular assemblies, such as cytoskeletal proteins and intact viruses, are now accessible for detailed analysis. In this review, we will discuss the current MAS NMR methodologies that enable characterization of complex biomolecular systems and will present examples of applications to several classes of assemblies comprising bacterial and mammalian cytoskeleton as well as human immunodeficiency virus 1 and bacteriophage viruses. The body of work reviewed herein is representative of the recent advancements in the field, with respect to the complexity of the systems studied, the quality of the data, and the significance to the biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M. Quinn
- University of Delaware, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Newark, DE 19711; Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15306
| | - Tatyana Polenova
- University of Delaware, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Newark, DE 19711; Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15306
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Composite Sequence-Structure Stability Models as Screening Tools for Identifying Vulnerable Targets for HIV Drug and Vaccine Development. Viruses 2015; 7:5718-35. [PMID: 26556362 PMCID: PMC4664974 DOI: 10.3390/v7112901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid evolution and high sequence diversity enable Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) populations to acquire mutations to escape antiretroviral drugs and host immune responses, and thus are major obstacles for the control of the pandemic. One strategy to overcome this problem is to focus drugs and vaccines on regions of the viral genome in which mutations are likely to cripple function through destabilization of viral proteins. Studies relying on sequence conservation alone have had only limited success in determining critically important regions. We tested the ability of two structure-based computational models to assign sites in the HIV-1 capsid protein (CA) that would be refractory to mutational change. The destabilizing mutations predicted by these models were rarely found in a database of 5811 HIV-1 CA coding sequences, with none being present at a frequency greater than 2%. Furthermore, 90% of variants with the low predicted stability (from a set of 184 CA variants whose replication fitness or infectivity has been studied in vitro) had aberrant capsid structures and reduced viral infectivity. Based on the predicted stability, we identified 45 CA sites prone to destabilizing mutations. More than half of these sites are targets of one or more known CA inhibitors. The CA regions enriched with these sites also overlap with peptides shown to induce cellular immune responses associated with lower viral loads in infected individuals. Lastly, a joint scoring metric that takes into account both sequence conservation and protein structure stability performed better at identifying deleterious mutations than sequence conservation or structure stability information alone. The computational sequence-structure stability approach proposed here might therefore be useful for identifying immutable sites in a protein for experimental validation as potential targets for drug and vaccine development.
Collapse
|
20
|
Fitness-Balanced Escape Determines Resolution of Dynamic Founder Virus Escape Processes in HIV-1 Infection. J Virol 2015. [PMID: 26223634 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01876-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED To understand the interplay between host cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses and the mechanisms by which HIV-1 evades them, we studied viral evolutionary patterns associated with host CTL responses in six linked transmission pairs. HIV-1 sequences corresponding to full-length p17 and p24 gag were generated by 454 pyrosequencing for all pairs near the time of transmission, and seroconverting partners were followed for a median of 847 days postinfection. T-cell responses were screened by gamma interferon/interleukin-2 (IFN-γ/IL-2) FluoroSpot using autologous peptide sets reflecting any Gag variant present in at least 5% of sequence reads in the individual's viral population. While we found little evidence for the occurrence of CTL reversions, CTL escape processes were found to be highly dynamic, with multiple epitope variants emerging simultaneously. We found a correlation between epitope entropy and the number of epitope variants per response (r = 0.43; P = 0.05). In cases in which multiple escape mutations developed within a targeted epitope, a variant with no fitness cost became fixed in the viral population. When multiple mutations within an epitope achieved fitness-balanced escape, these escape mutants were each maintained in the viral population. Additional mutations found to confer escape but undetected in viral populations incurred high fitness costs, suggesting that functional constraints limit the available sites tolerable to escape mutations. These results further our understanding of the impact of CTL escape and reversion from the founder virus in HIV infection and contribute to the identification of immunogenic Gag regions most vulnerable to a targeted T-cell attack. IMPORTANCE Rapid diversification of the viral population is a hallmark of HIV-1 infection, and understanding the selective forces driving the emergence of viral variants can provide critical insight into the interplay between host immune responses and viral evolution. We used deep sequencing to comprehensively follow viral evolution over time in six linked HIV transmission pairs. We then mapped T-cell responses to explore if mutations arose due to adaption to the host and found that escape processes were often highly dynamic, with multiple mutations arising within targeted epitopes. When we explored the impact of these mutations on replicative capacity, we found that dynamic escape processes only resolve with the selection of mutations that conferred escape with no fitness cost to the virus. These results provide further understanding of the complicated viral-host interactions that occur during early HIV-1 infection and may help inform the design of future vaccine immunogens.
Collapse
|
21
|
Gres AT, Kirby KA, KewalRamani VN, Tanner JJ, Pornillos O, Sarafianos SG. STRUCTURAL VIROLOGY. X-ray crystal structures of native HIV-1 capsid protein reveal conformational variability. Science 2015; 349:99-103. [PMID: 26044298 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaa5936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The detailed molecular interactions between native HIV-1 capsid protein (CA) hexamers that shield the viral genome and proteins have been elusive. We report crystal structures describing interactions between CA monomers related by sixfold symmetry within hexamers (intrahexamer) and threefold and twofold symmetry between neighboring hexamers (interhexamer). The structures describe how CA builds hexagonal lattices, the foundation of mature capsids. Lattice structure depends on an adaptable hydration layer modulating interactions among CA molecules. Disruption of this layer alters interhexamer interfaces, highlighting an inherent structural variability. A CA-targeting antiviral affects capsid stability by binding across CA molecules and subtly altering interhexamer interfaces remote to the ligand-binding site. Inherent structural plasticity, hydration layer rearrangement, and effector binding affect capsid stability and have functional implications for the retroviral life cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna T Gres
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Karen A Kirby
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Vineet N KewalRamani
- Basic Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - John J Tanner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Owen Pornillos
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Stefan G Sarafianos
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Manocheewa S, Lanxon-Cookson EC, Liu Y, Swain JV, McClure J, Rao U, Maust B, Deng W, Sunshine JE, Kim M, Rolland M, Mullins JI. Pairwise growth competition assay for determining the replication fitness of human immunodeficiency viruses. J Vis Exp 2015:e52610. [PMID: 25993602 PMCID: PMC4542137 DOI: 10.3791/52610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro fitness assays are essential tools for determining viral replication fitness for viruses such as HIV-1. Various measurements have been used to extrapolate viral replication fitness, ranging from the number of viral particles per infectious unit, growth rate in cell culture, and relative fitness derived from multiple-cycle growth competition assays. Growth competition assays provide a particularly sensitive measurement of fitness since the viruses are competing for cellular targets under identical growth conditions. There are several experimental factors to consider when conducting growth competition assays, including the multiplicity of infection (MOI), sampling times, and viral detection and fitness calculation methods. Each factor can affect the end result and hence must be considered carefully during the experimental design. The protocol presented here includes steps from constructing a new recombinant HIV-1 clone to performing growth competition assays and analyzing the experimental results. This protocol utilizes experimental parameter values previously shown to yield consistent and robust results. Alternatives are discussed, as some parameters need to be adjusted according to the cell type and viruses being studied. The protocol contains two alternative viral detection methods to provide flexibility as the availability of instruments, reagents and expertise varies between laboratories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yi Liu
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington
| | | | - Jan McClure
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington
| | - Ushnal Rao
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington
| | - Brandon Maust
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington
| | - Wenjie Deng
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington
| | | | - Moon Kim
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington
| | - Morgane Rolland
- U.S Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research; Henry M. Jackson Foundation
| | - James I Mullins
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington; Departments of Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington;
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Hancock G, Yang H, Yorke E, Wainwright E, Bourne V, Frisbee A, Payne TL, Berrong M, Ferrari G, Chopera D, Hanke T, Mothe B, Brander C, McElrath MJ, McMichael A, Goonetilleke N, Tomaras GD, Frahm N, Dorrell L. Identification of effective subdominant anti-HIV-1 CD8+ T cells within entire post-infection and post-vaccination immune responses. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1004658. [PMID: 25723536 PMCID: PMC4344337 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Defining the components of an HIV immunogen that could induce effective CD8+ T cell responses is critical to vaccine development. We addressed this question by investigating the viral targets of CD8+ T cells that potently inhibit HIV replication in vitro, as this is highly predictive of virus control in vivo. We observed broad and potent ex vivo CD8+ T cell-mediated viral inhibitory activity against a panel of HIV isolates among viremic controllers (VC, viral loads <5000 copies/ml), in contrast to unselected HIV-infected HIV Vaccine trials Network (HVTN) participants. Viral inhibition of clade-matched HIV isolates was strongly correlated with the frequency of CD8+ T cells targeting vulnerable regions within Gag, Pol, Nef and Vif that had been identified in an independent study of nearly 1000 chronically infected individuals. These vulnerable and so-called “beneficial” regions were of low entropy overall, yet several were not predicted by stringent conservation algorithms. Consistent with this, stronger inhibition of clade-matched than mismatched viruses was observed in the majority of subjects, indicating better targeting of clade-specific than conserved epitopes. The magnitude of CD8+ T cell responses to beneficial regions, together with viral entropy and HLA class I genotype, explained up to 59% of the variation in viral inhibitory activity, with magnitude of the T cell response making the strongest unique contribution. However, beneficial regions were infrequently targeted by CD8+ T cells elicited by vaccines encoding full-length HIV proteins, when the latter were administered to healthy volunteers and HIV-positive ART-treated subjects, suggesting that immunodominance hierarchies undermine effective anti-HIV CD8+ T cell responses. Taken together, our data support HIV immunogen design that is based on systematic selection of empirically defined vulnerable regions within the viral proteome, with exclusion of immunodominant decoy epitopes that are irrelevant for HIV control. Attempts to develop an HIV vaccine that elicits potent cell-mediated immunity have so far been unsuccessful. This is due in part to the use of immunogens that appear to recapitulate responses induced naturally by HIV that are, at best, partially effective. We previously showed that the capacity of CD8+ T cells from patients to block HIV replication in culture is strongly correlated with HIV control in vivo, therefore, we investigated the virological determinants of potent CD8+ T cell inhibitory activity. We observed that CD8+ T cells from patients with naturally low plasma viral loads (viremic controllers) were better able to inhibit the replication of diverse HIV strains in vitro than CD8+ T cells from HIV-noncontroller patients. Importantly, we also found that the potency of the antiviral activity in the latter group was strongly correlated with recognition of selected regions across the viral proteome that are critical to viral fitness. Vaccines that encode full-length viral proteins rarely elicited responses to these vulnerable regions. Taken together, our results provide insight into the characteristics of effective cell-mediated immune responses against HIV and how these may inform the design of better immunogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Hancock
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hongbing Yang
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Emma Wainwright
- Department of Sexual Health, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Bourne
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alyse Frisbee
- Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Surgery, Immunology, and Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Tamika L. Payne
- Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Surgery, Immunology, and Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Mark Berrong
- Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Surgery, Immunology, and Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Guido Ferrari
- Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Surgery, Immunology, and Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Denis Chopera
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine & Division of Medical Virology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tomas Hanke
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Beatriz Mothe
- Irsicaixa AIDS Research Institute—HIVACAT, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
| | - Christian Brander
- Irsicaixa AIDS Research Institute—HIVACAT, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - M. Juliana McElrath
- Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Andrew McMichael
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nilu Goonetilleke
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Georgia D. Tomaras
- Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Surgery, Immunology, and Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Nicole Frahm
- Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Lucy Dorrell
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Mothe B, Hu X, Llano A, Rosati M, Olvera A, Kulkarni V, Valentin A, Alicea C, Pilkington GR, Sardesai NY, Rocafort M, Crespo M, Carrillo J, Marco A, Mullins JI, Dorrell L, Hanke T, Clotet B, Pavlakis GN, Felber BK, Brander C. A human immune data-informed vaccine concept elicits strong and broad T-cell specificities associated with HIV-1 control in mice and macaques. J Transl Med 2015; 13:60. [PMID: 25879820 PMCID: PMC4336696 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-015-0392-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background None of the HIV T-cell vaccine candidates that have reached advanced clinical testing have been able to induce protective T cell immunity. A major reason for these failures may have been suboptimal T cell immunogen designs. Methods To overcome this problem, we used a novel immunogen design approach that is based on functional T cell response data from more than 1,000 HIV-1 clade B and C infected individuals and which aims to direct the T cell response to the most vulnerable sites of HIV-1. Results Our approach identified 16 regions in Gag, Pol, Vif and Nef that were relatively conserved and predominantly targeted by individuals with reduced viral loads. These regions formed the basis of the HIVACAT T-cell Immunogen (HTI) sequence which is 529 amino acids in length, includes more than 50 optimally defined CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell epitopes restricted by a wide range of HLA class I and II molecules and covers viral sites where mutations led to a dramatic reduction in viral replicative fitness. In both, C57BL/6 mice and Indian rhesus macaques immunized with an HTI-expressing DNA plasmid (DNA.HTI) induced broad and balanced T-cell responses to several segments within Gag, Pol, and Vif. DNA.HTI induced robust CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses that were increased by a booster vaccination using modified virus Ankara (MVA.HTI), expanding the DNA.HTI induced response to up to 3.2% IFN-γ T-cells in macaques. HTI-specific T cells showed a central and effector memory phenotype with a significant fraction of the IFN-γ+ CD8+ T cells being Granzyme B+ and able to degranulate (CD107a+). Conclusions These data demonstrate the immunogenicity of a novel HIV-1 T cell vaccine concept that induced broadly balanced responses to vulnerable sites of HIV-1 while avoiding the induction of responses to potential decoy targets that may divert effective T-cell responses towards variable and less protective viral determinants. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-015-0392-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Mothe
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute - HIVACAT, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Crta Canyet s/n., 08916, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain. .,'Lluita contra la Sida' Foundation, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain. .,Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC), Vic, Spain.
| | - Xintao Hu
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA.
| | - Anuska Llano
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute - HIVACAT, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Crta Canyet s/n., 08916, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Margherita Rosati
- Human Retrovirus Section, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA.
| | - Alex Olvera
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute - HIVACAT, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Crta Canyet s/n., 08916, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Viraj Kulkarni
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA.
| | - Antonio Valentin
- Human Retrovirus Section, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA.
| | - Candido Alicea
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA.
| | - Guy R Pilkington
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA.
| | | | - Muntsa Rocafort
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute - HIVACAT, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Crta Canyet s/n., 08916, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Manel Crespo
- HIV Unit, Hospital de la Vall d'Hebrón, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jorge Carrillo
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute - HIVACAT, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Crta Canyet s/n., 08916, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | | | - Lucy Dorrell
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
| | - Tomáš Hanke
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Bonaventura Clotet
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute - HIVACAT, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Crta Canyet s/n., 08916, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain. .,'Lluita contra la Sida' Foundation, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain. .,Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC), Vic, Spain. .,Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - George N Pavlakis
- Human Retrovirus Section, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA.
| | - Barbara K Felber
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA.
| | - Christian Brander
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute - HIVACAT, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Crta Canyet s/n., 08916, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain. .,Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC), Vic, Spain. .,Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. .,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Kortagere S, Xu JP, Mankowski MK, Ptak RG, Cocklin S. Structure-activity relationships of a novel capsid targeted inhibitor of HIV-1 replication. J Chem Inf Model 2014; 54:3080-90. [PMID: 25302989 PMCID: PMC4245176 DOI: 10.1021/ci500437r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Despite the considerable successes
of highly active antiretroviral
therapy (HAART) for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, cumulative drug toxicities
and the development of multidrug-resistant virus necessitate the search
for new classes of antiretroviral agents with novel modes of action.
The HIV-1 capsid (CA) protein has been structurally and functionally
characterized as a druggable target. We have recently designed a novel
small molecule inhibitor I-XW-053 using the hybrid structure based
method to block the interface between CA N-terminal domains (NTD–NTD
interface) with micromolar affinity. In an effort to optimize and
improve the efficacy of I-XW-053, we have developed the structure
activity relationship of I-XW-053 compound series using ligand efficiency
methods. Fifty-six analogues of I-XW-053 were designed that could
be subclassified into four different core domains based on their ligand
efficiency values computed as the ratio of binding efficiency (BEI)
and surface efficiency (SEI) indices. Compound 34 belonging
to subcore-3 showed an 11-fold improvement over I-XW-053 in blocking
HIV-1 replication in primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells
(PBMCs). Surface plasmon resonance experiments confirmed the binding
of compound 34 to purified HIV-1 CA protein. Molecular
docking studies on compound 34 and I-XW-053 to HIV-1
CA protein suggested that they both bind to NTD–NTD interface
region but with different binding modes, which was further validated
using site-directed mutagenesis studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandhya Kortagere
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology and ‡Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Le Sage V, Mouland AJ, Valiente-Echeverría F. Roles of HIV-1 capsid in viral replication and immune evasion. Virus Res 2014; 193:116-29. [PMID: 25036886 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2014.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Revised: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The primary roles of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) capsid (CA) protein are to encapsidate and protect the viral RNA genome. It is becoming increasing apparent that HIV-1 CA is a multifunctional protein that acts early during infection to coordinate uncoating, reverse transcription, nuclear import of the pre-integration complex and integration of double stranded viral DNA into the host genome. Additionally, numerous recent studies indicate that CA is playing a crucial function in HIV-1 immune evasion. Here we summarize the current knowledge on HIV-1 CA and its interactions with the host cell to promote infection. The fact that CA engages in a number of different protein-protein interactions with the host makes it an interesting target for the development of new potent antiviral agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Le Sage
- HIV-1 RNA Trafficking Laboratory, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Québec H3T1E2, Canada; Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Andrew J Mouland
- HIV-1 RNA Trafficking Laboratory, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Québec H3T1E2, Canada; Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 1A3, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, H3A2B4, Canada
| | - Fernando Valiente-Echeverría
- HIV-1 RNA Trafficking Laboratory, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Québec H3T1E2, Canada; Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 1A3, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Joseph SB, Peck KM, Burch CL. Dominance effects of deleterious and beneficial mutations in a single gene of the RNA virus ϕ6. PLoS One 2014; 9:e97717. [PMID: 24945910 PMCID: PMC4063744 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Most of our knowledge of dominance stems from studies of deleterious mutations. From these studies we know that most deleterious mutations are recessive, and that this recessivity arises from a hyperbolic relationship between protein function (i.e., protein concentration or activity) and fitness. Here we investigate whether this knowledge can be used to make predictions about the dominance of beneficial and deleterious mutations in a single gene. We employed a model system--the bacteriophage φ6--that allowed us to generate a collection of mutations in haploid conditions so that it was not biased toward either dominant beneficial or recessive deleterious mutations. Screening for the ability to infect a bacterial host that does not permit infection by the wildtype φ6, we generated a collection of mutations in P3, a gene involved in attachment to the host and in phage particle assembly. The resulting collection contained mutations with both deleterious and beneficial effects on fitness. The deleterious mutations in our collection had additive effects on fitness and the beneficial mutations were recessive. Neither of these observations were predicted from previous studies of dominance. This pattern is not consistent with the hyperbolic (diminishing returns) relationship between protein function and fitness that is characteristic of enzymatic genes, but could have resulted from a curve of increasing returns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah B. Joseph
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kayla M. Peck
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Christina L. Burch
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Increased sequence coverage through combined targeting of variant and conserved epitopes correlates with control of HIV replication. J Virol 2013; 88:1354-65. [PMID: 24227851 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02361-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A major challenge in the development of an HIV vaccine is that of contending with the extensive sequence variability found in circulating viruses. Induction of HIV-specific T-cell responses targeting conserved regions and induction of HIV-specific T-cell responses recognizing a high number of epitope variants have both been proposed as strategies to overcome this challenge. We addressed the ability of cytotoxic T lymphocytes from 30 untreated HIV-infected subjects with and without control of virus replication to recognize all clade B Gag sequence variants encoded by at least 5% of the sequences in the Los Alamos National Laboratory HIV database (1,300 peptides) using gamma interferon and interleukin-2 (IFN-γ/IL-2) FluoroSpot analysis. While targeting of conserved regions was similar in the two groups (P = 0.47), we found that subjects with control of virus replication demonstrated marginally lower recognition of Gag epitope variants than subjects with normal progression (P = 0.05). In viremic controllers and progressors, we found variant recognition to be associated with viral load (r = 0.62, P = 0.001). Interestingly, we show that increased overall sequence coverage, defined as the overall proportion of HIV database sequences targeted through the Gag-specific repertoire, is inversely associated with viral load (r = -0.38, P = 0.03). Furthermore, we found that sequence coverage, but not variant recognition, correlated with increased recognition of a panel of clade B HIV founder viruses (r = 0.50, P = 0.004). We propose sequence coverage by HIV Gag-specific immune responses as a possible correlate of protection that may contribute to control of virus replication. Additionally, sequence coverage serves as a valuable measure by which to evaluate the protective potential of future vaccination strategies.
Collapse
|