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Fu Y, Wang S, Hao Y, Li D, Ren L, Wang Z, Chen R, Tang W, Shen X, Ni W, Shi Y, Zhu M, Shao Y, Liu Y. Amino acid substitution of the membrane-proximal external region alter neutralization sensitivity in a chronic HIV-1 clade B infected patient. Virus Res 2024; 345:199377. [PMID: 38643858 PMCID: PMC11067532 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The membrane-proximal external region (MPER) represents a highly conserved region of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) envelope glycoprotein (env) targeted by several broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). In this study, we employed single genome amplification to amplify 34 full-length env sequences from the 2005 plasma sample of CBJC504, a chronic HIV-1 clade B infected individual. We identified three amino acid changes (N671S, D674N, and K677R) in the MPER. A longitudinal analysis revealed that the proportion of env sequences with MPER mutations increased from 26.5 % in 2005 to 56.0 % in 2009, and the sequences with the same mutation clustered together. Nine functional pseudoviruses were generated from the 34 env sequences to examine the effect of these mutations on neutralizing activity. Pseudoviruses carrying N674 or R677 mutations demonstrate increased sensitivity to autologous plasma and monoclonal antibodies 2F5, 4E10, and 10E8. Reverse mutations were performed in env including N674, R677, D659, and S671/N677 mutations, to validate the impact of the mutations on neutralizing sensitivity. Neutralization assays indicated that the N671S mutation increased neutralization sensitivity to 2F5 and 10E8. The amino acid R at position 677 increased viral resistance to 10E8, whereas N enhanced viral resistance to 4E10 and 10E8. It has been proposed that critical amino acids in the extra-MPER and the number of potential N-like glycosylation sites (PNGSs) in the V1 loop may have an impact on neutralizing activity. Understanding the mutations and evolution of MPER in chronically infected patients with HIV-1 is crucial for the design and development of vaccines that trigger bnAbs against MPER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyu Fu
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Shuhui Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yanling Hao
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Dan Li
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Li Ren
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Ran Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wenqi Tang
- Department of TB/AIDS Control, Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Xiuli Shen
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; Changping Laboratory, Yard 28, Science Park Road, Changping District, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wanqi Ni
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yutao Shi
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Meiling Zhu
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yiming Shao
- Changping Laboratory, Yard 28, Science Park Road, Changping District, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Ying Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.
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Ninyio N, Schmitt K, Sergon G, Nilsson C, Andersson S, Scherbak N. Stable expression of HIV-1 MPER extended epitope on the surface of the recombinant probiotic bacteria Escherichia Coli Nissle 1917 using CRISPR/Cas9. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:39. [PMID: 38311724 PMCID: PMC10840157 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-023-02290-0] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mucosal vaccines have the potential to induce protective immune responses at the sites of infection. Applying CRISPR/Cas9 editing, we aimed to develop a probiotic-based vaccine candidate expressing the HIV-1 envelope membrane-proximal external region (MPER) on the surface of E. coli Nissle 1917. RESULTS The HIV-1 MPER epitope was successfully introduced in the porin OmpF of the E. coli Nissle 1917 (EcN-MPER) and the modification was stable over 30 passages of the recombinant bacteria on the DNA and protein level. Furthermore, the introduced epitope was recognized by a human anti-HIV-1 gp41 (2F5) antibody using both live and heat-killed EcN-MPER, and this antigenicity was also retained over 30 passages. Whole-cell dot blot suggested a stronger binding of anti-HIV-1 gp41 (2F5) to heat-killed EcN-MPER than their live counterpart. An outer membrane vesicle (OMV) - rich extract from EcN-MPER culture supernatant was equally antigenic to anti-HIV-1 gp41 antibody which suggests that the MPER antigen could be harboured in EcN-MPER OMVs. Using quantitative ELISA, we determined the amount of MPER produced by the modified EcN to be 14.3 µg/108 cfu. CONCLUSIONS The CRISPR/Cas9 technology was an effective method for establishment of recombinant EcN-MPER bacteria that was stable over many passages. The developed EcN-MPER clone was devoid of extraneous plasmids and antibiotic resistance genes which eliminates the risk of plasmid transfer to animal hosts, should this clone be used as a vaccine. Also, the EcN-MPER clone was recognised by anti-HIV-1 gp41 (2F5) both as live and heat-killed bacteria making it suitable for pre-clinical evaluation. Expression of OmpF on bacterial surfaces and released OMVs identifies it as a compelling candidate for recombinant epitope modification, enabling surface epitope presentation on both bacteria and OMVs. By applying the methods described in this study, we present a potential platform for cost-effective and rational vaccine antigen expression and administration, offering promising prospects for further research in the field of vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel Ninyio
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Katharina Schmitt
- School of Science and Technology, Life Science Center, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Institute of Virology, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421, Homburg, Germany
| | - Gladys Sergon
- School of Science and Technology, Life Science Center, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Charlotta Nilsson
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Microbiology, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
| | - Sören Andersson
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Department of Public Health Analysis and Data Management, Unit for Vaccination Programmes, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
| | - Nikolai Scherbak
- School of Science and Technology, Life Science Center, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
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Tang W, Yuan Z, Wang Z, Ren L, Li D, Wang S, Hao Y, Li J, Shen X, Ruan Y, Shao Y, Liu Y. Neutralization Sensitivity and Evolution of Virus in a Chronic HIV-1 Clade B Infected Patient with Neutralizing Activity against Membrane-Proximal External Region. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030497. [PMID: 36986419 PMCID: PMC10052815 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The membrane-proximal external region (MPER) is a promising HIV-1 vaccine target owing to its linear neutralizing epitopes and highly conserved amino acids. Here, we explored the neutralization sensitivity and investigated the MPER sequences in a chronic HIV-1 infected patient with neutralizing activity against the MPER. Using single-genome amplification (SGA), 50 full-length HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (env) genes were isolated from the patient's plasma at two time points (2006 and 2009). The neutralization sensitivity of 14 Env-pseudoviruses to autologous plasma and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) was evaluated. Env gene sequencing revealed that the diversity of Env increased over time and four mutation positions (659D, 662K, 671S, and 677N/R) were identified in the MPER. The K677R mutation increased the IC50 values of pseudoviruses approximately twofold for 4E10 and 2F5, and E659D increased the IC50 up to ninefold for 4E10 and fourfold for 2F5. These two mutations also decreased the contact between gp41 and mAbs. Almost all mutant pseudoviruses were resistant to autologous plasma at both the earlier and concurrent time points. Mutations 659D and 677R in the MPER decreased the neutralization sensitivity of Env-pseudoviruses, providing a detailed understanding of MPER evolution which might facilitate advances in the design of HIV-1 vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqi Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhenzhen Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Li Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Dan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Shuhui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yanling Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Jing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xiuli Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yuhua Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yiming Shao
- Changping National Laboratory, Beijing 102200, China
| | - Ying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
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Bell BN, Bruun TUJ, Friedland N, Kim PS. HIV-1 prehairpin intermediate inhibitors show efficacy independent of neutralization tier. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2215792120. [PMID: 36795752 PMCID: PMC9974412 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2215792120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 strains are categorized into one of three neutralization tiers based on the relative ease by which they are neutralized by plasma from HIV-1-infected donors not on antiretroviral therapy; tier-1 strains are particularly sensitive to neutralization while tier-2 and tier-3 strains are increasingly difficult to neutralize. Most broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) previously described target the native prefusion conformation of HIV-1 Envelope (Env), but the relevance of the tiered categories for inhibitors targeting another Env conformation, the prehairpin intermediate, is not well understood. Here, we show that two inhibitors targeting distinct highly conserved regions of the prehairpin intermediate have strikingly consistent neutralization potencies (within ~100-fold for a given inhibitor) against strains in all three neutralization tiers of HIV-1; in contrast, best-in-class bnAbs targeting diverse Env epitopes vary by more than 10,000-fold in potency against these strains. Our results indicate that antisera-based HIV-1 neutralization tiers are not relevant for inhibitors targeting the prehairpin intermediate and highlight the potential for therapies and vaccine efforts targeting this conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin N. Bell
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Theodora U. J. Bruun
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Natalia Friedland
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Peter S. Kim
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA94158
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