R5嗜性的人类免疫缺陷病毒-1在疾病不同阶段的生物学特性

目的 研究HIV-1感染者不同时期分离的R5毒株的生物学特性.方法 采用传统的共培养方法分离并培养HIV-1,用表达CD4和CC趋化因子受体5(CCR5)或CXC趋化因子受体4(CXCR4)的GHOST细胞系,通过流式细胞仪测定病毒辅助受体的利用和感染性,从而判断所分离毒株的CCR5嗜型(R5型毒株);使用2 ng P24病毒量感染正常人分离的外周血单个核细胞(PBMC),ELISA法检测第1、3、5、7、10、15天的HIV-1 P24抗原,反映病毒复制能力;采用HIV-1核酸荧光定量检测试剂盒测定血浆病毒载量.数据分析采用t检验.结果 HIV-1B'亚型感染者22例,其中CD4+细胞>0.2×109/L和CD4+细胞≤0.2×109/L各11例;所分离的病毒仅利用CCR5辅助受体,均为R5型毒株,感染性的结果显示,来自CD4+细胞≤0.2×109/L的11株R5毒株的感染性为(7.392 7±4.584 2)%,而CD4+细胞>0.2×109/L的为(2.613 6±1.610 5)%,差异有统计学意义(t=3.262,P<0.05);两组病毒复制滴度在第7天开始明显上升,培养第7、10、15天,两组病毒复制动力学差异有统计学意义(t值分别为3.771、2.509和2.260;P<0.05),CD4+细胞≤0.2×109/L的R5毒株的复制能力较CD4+细胞>0.2×109/L的明显增强;CD4+细胞≤0.2 × 109/L R5型毒株的病毒载量的对数值为(5.606 8±0.815 1)拷贝/mL,CD4+细胞>0.2 × 109/L的为(4.729 8±0.431 6)拷贝/mL,两组差异有统计学意义(t=3.771,P<0.05).结论 疾病进展过程中,即使病毒的辅助受体利用未从CCR5转变为CXCR4,但病毒的感染性和复制能力已有明显改变.     

Multivalent anti-CCR ribozymes for stem cell-based HIV type 1 gene therapy

HIV-1 infection of susceptible cells is mediated by the specific interaction of viral envelope glycoproteins with the cell surface CD4 receptor and a chemokine coreceptor, CCR5 or CXCR4. Individuals with a CCR5 genetic defect show resistance to HIV-1 infection, indicating that downregulation of CCR5 expression on target cells can prevent viral infection. In previous studies we demonstrated the utility of an anti-CCR5 ribozyme targeted to a single cleavage site in downregulating CCR5 expression and consequently providing resistance to viral infection. To improve on the level of downregulation we designed a construct containing an anti-CCR5 ribozyme heterotrimer (R5RbzTM) targeted to three different cleavage sites in CCR5 mRNA. In vitro tests showed that the anti-CCR5 ribozyme heterotrimer could effectively cleave the CCR5 RNA substrates to yield products of the expected sizes. This construct was introduced into various retroviral vectors for stable gene transduction. HOS.CD4/R5 cells stably transduced with this anti-CCR5 heterotrimer showed a marked reduction in the surface expression of CCR5 and a concomitant 70% reduction in macrophage-tropic viral infection. In addition, a retroviral vector containing the anti-CCR5 ribozyme heterotrimer and an anti-HIV-1 tat-rev ribozyme heterodimer was constructed. This construct also showed a similar inhibition of CCR5 surface expression and reduced infectability by the macrophage-tropic HIV-1 vector in HOS.CD4/R5 cells. The trimeric and multimeric ribozyme constructs were transduced into CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells to determine their effects on lineage-specific differentiation. We show that multivalent ribozyme gene-transduced hematopoietic progenitors differentiated normally into mature macrophages that bear CD14 and CD4 surface markers. Macrophages containing the transgenes expressed ribozymes, and showed resistance to M-tropic HIV-1 infection. These results provide strong support for the use of the trimeric anti-CCR5 ribozyme approach in a gene therapy setting for the treatment of HIV infection.     

HIV type 1 infection of human astrocytes is restricted by inefficient viral entry

The mechanism by which HIV infects astrocytes is not known. We used the simian virus 40 (SV40)-transformed human astrocyte cell line, SVG-A, to investigate HIV infection of astrocytes. We previously reported that SVG-A cells are susceptible to low levels of CD4/CXCR4-independent infection by an X4 strain of HIV-1. Infection was greatly increased when the prototypical X4 receptors, CD4 and CXCR4, were expressed on the SVG-A cells (SVGCD4-X4). These data suggest that HIV-1 enters astrocytes by a novel mechanism that is inefficient compared with CD4/CXCR4-mediated entry. In this article, we report high levels of early viral gene expression in both SVG-A and SVGCD4-X4 cells once the HIV entry pathway is circumvented. These data indicate that HIV-1 infection of SVG-A cells is restricted by inefficient viral entry rather than by post-entry events. As we were unable to detect infection of nontransformed primary astrocytes, we investigated whether SV40 transformation affects the susceptibility of astrocytes to HIV infection. To study this, we transformed primary fetal and adult astrocytes with the same origin-defective SV40 mutant that was used to transform the SVG-A cell line. We found that SV40 transformation did not alter the susceptibility of astrocytes to HIV infection. Furthermore, high levels of early viral gene expression were detected in these cells once the HIV entry process was by-passed. Taken together, the results of these studies indicate that HIV infection of human astrocytes is restricted by inefficient viral entry.     

Long-lasting CCR5 internalization by antibodies in a subset of long-term nonprogressors: a possible protective effect against disease progression

Exposure to HIV-1 does not necessarily result in infection and progression toward disease, thus suggesting that the control of viral infection may be achieved. Antibodies to CCR5 have been detected in HIV-exposed but uninfected subjects (ESNs); thus, these antibodies could be involved in HIV protection. To assess whether anti-CCR5 antibodies may also contribute to slow HIV disease progression, we searched for anti-CCR5 antibodies in 497 subjects, including 85 long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs), 70 progressors, 135 HIV(+) patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and 207 seronegative donors. We found anti-CCR5 antibodies in a fraction of the LTNPs(23.5%) but not in the other populations studied (P < .001). These antibodies recognized a conformational epitope within the first extramembrane loop of CCR5, and they induced a stable and long-lasting downregulation of CCR5 on the surface of T lymphocytes, which inhibited HIV entry. In addition, CD4(+) lymphocytes from LTNPs having anti-CCR5 antibodies are resistance to R5 strains of HIV-1. Follow-up studies showed that the loss of anti-CCR5 antibodies occurred in some subjects, and this loss was significantly associated with a progression toward disease, whereas subjects who retained anti-CCR5 Abs maintained their LTNP status. Induction of anti-CCR5 Abs could be relevant to vaccine design and therapeutics.     

Porcine thymic grafts protect human thymocytes from HIV-1-induced destruction

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection depletes thymocytes and destroys thymic structure. Functional, tolerant human T cells develop in vivo in immunodeficient mice receiving porcine thymus and human fetal liver fragments under the kidney capsule. In this model, we evaluated the potential of porcine thymus to protect human thymocytes from the effects of HIV-1. Compared with that observed in control mice with human thymic grafts, porcine thymus attenuated human thymocyte depletion by the CCR5-tropic isolate JR-CSF without preventing thymocyte infection. Porcine thymus protected human thymocytes from infection and depletion by a CXCR4-tropic HIV-1 isolate without reducing peripheral blood viral loads or T cell infection. Human thymocytes from human but not porcine grafts showed decreased Bcl-2 expression and increased apoptosis after NL4.3 infection. Thus, porcine thymus protects human thymocytes from the cytopathic effect of HIV-1, suggesting a possible approach to achieving immune restoration in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who have incomplete responses to antiretroviral therapy. The model allows analysis of the mechanisms of HIV-mediated thymic dysfunction.     

Upregulation of human cytomegalovirus by HIV type 1 in human lymphoid tissue ex vivo

HIV-1 copathogens are believed to play a critical role in progression to AIDS. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has a high prevalence in the general population and is a common copathogen in HIV-1-infected individuals. Important events in copathogen interactions with HIV-1 take place in lymphoid tissue where critical events in HIV-1 disease occur. Here, we used an experimental system of human lymphoid tissue ex vivo to investigate interactions of HCMV with HIV-1. We inoculated ex vivo blocks of human lymphoid tissue with a recombinant strain of HCMV, expressing the green fluorescent protein, and HIV-1 and monitored viral replication and the phenotype of productively infected cells. HCMV readily replicated in tissue blocks as revealed by the release of HCMV viral DNA and an increasing number of viral-positive cells. Immunophenotyping of HCMV-infected cells showed a preferential infection of activated lymphocytes. The number of these cells significantly increased in HIV-1-coinfected tissues. Accordingly, HCMV replication was enhanced 2- to-3 fold. This upregulation occurred in tissues infected with either CXCR4- or CCR5-utilizing HIV-1. Thus, HIV-1 creates new targets for HCMV, which may explain the strong association of HCMV with HIV-1 infection in vivo. Ex vivo-infected human lymphoid tissue constitutes a model to study the mechanisms of HCMV tissue pathogenesis and its interactions with HIV-1 and this model may provide new targets for anti-HIV-1 therapy.     

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor enhances viral load in human brain tissue: amelioration with stavudine

BACKGROUND: Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is elevated in cerebrospinal fluid in HIV- associated dementia; in addition, therapeutic GM-CSF elevates plasma viral load. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of GM-CSF on viral replication and the potential ameliorative effect of antiretroviral therapy. DESIGN: A primary human brain aggregate system is used as a model of the in vivo situation. METHOD: Cultured aggregates were infected with the macrophage tropic strain HIV-1SF162 and then exposed to varying GM-CSF concentrations and 0.3 micromol/l stavudine. Viral replication was assessed by p24 expression in the supernatant and aggregates. Immunohistochemistry identified neurons, astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrocytes. RESULTS: A GM-CSF concentration of 1 ng/ml resulted in a fivefold increase in microglial cells, the main HIV cellular reservoir (P = 0.0001). Prior GM-CSF exposure before infection of the aggregates resulted in sixfold increase in p24 levels compared with non-GM-CSF-exposed infected aggregates. Infected aggregates with or without GM-CSF had significant neuronal loss of 50% and 45%, respectively, and astrocytosis. Addition of stavudine to the infected aggregates, even in the presence of GM-CSF, reduced p24 levels to zero and prevented neuronal loss and astrocytosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that GM-CSF enhances viral replication while addition of stavudine prevents this potentially detrimental process.     

Mycobacterium avium complex augments macrophage HIV-1 production and increases CCR5 expression

Infection with HIV-1 results in pronounced immune suppression and susceptibility to opportunistic infections (OI). Reciprocally, OI augment HIV-1 replication. As we have shown for Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and Pneumocystis carinii, macrophages infected with opportunistic pathogens and within lymphoid tissues containing OI, exhibit striking levels of viral replication. To explore potential underlying mechanisms for increased HIV-1 replication associated with coinfection, blood monocytes were exposed to MAC antigens (MAg) or viable MAC and their levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and HIV-1 coreceptors monitored. MAC enhanced TNFα production in vitro, consistent with its expression in coinfected lymph nodes. Using a polyclonal antibody to the CCR5 coreceptor that mediates viral entry of macrophage tropic HIV-1, a subset of unstimulated monocytes was shown to be CCR5-positive by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. After stimulation with MAg or infection with MAC, CCR5 expression was increased at both the mRNA level and on the cell surface. Up-regulation of CCR5 by MAC was not paralleled by an increase in the T cell tropic coreceptor, CXCR4. Increases in NF-κB, TNFα, and CCR5 were consistent with the enhanced production of HIV-1 in MAg-treated adherent macrophage cultures as measured by HIV-1 p24 levels. Increased CCR5 was also detected in coinfected lymph nodes as compared with tissues with only HIV-1. The increased production of TNFα, together with elevated expression of CCR5, provide potential mechanisms for enhanced infection and replication of HIV-1 by macrophages in OI-infected cells and tissues. Consequently, treating OI may inhibit not only the OI-induced pathology, but also limit the viral burden.     

Subset of DC-SIGN(+) dendritic cells in human blood transmits HIV-1 to T lymphocytes

The dendritic cell (DC)-specific molecule DC-SIGN is a receptor for the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 and is essential for the dissemination of HIV-1. DC-SIGN is expressed by DCs, both monocyte-derived DCs and DCs in several tissues, including mucosa and lymph nodes. To identify a DC-SIGN(+) DC in blood that may be involved in HIV-1 infection through blood, we have analyzed the expression of DC-SIGN in human blood cells. Here we describe the characterization of a subset of DCs in human blood, isolated from T-/NK-/B-cell-depleted peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) on the basis of expression of DC-SIGN. This subset coexpresses CD14, CD16, and CD33 and is thus of myeloid origin. In contrast to CD14(+) monocytes, DC-SIGN(+) blood cells display a DC-like morphology and express markers of antigen-presenting cells, including CD1c, CD11b, CD11c, CD86, and high levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules. This DC population differs from other described CD14(-) blood DC subsets. Functionally, DC-SIGN(+) blood DCs are able to stimulate proliferation of allogeneic T cells and can produce tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) upon activation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). When they encounter HIV-1, low amounts of these blood DC-SIGN(+) DCs enhance infection of T lymphocytes in trans, whereas blood monocytes and CD14(-) blood DCs are not capable of transmitting HIV-1. Therefore DC-SIGN(+) blood DCs can be the first target for HIV-1 upon transmission via blood; they can capture minute amounts of HIV-1 through DC-SIGN and transfer HIV-1 to infect target T cells in trans.     

A nonneutralizing anti-HIV Type 1 antibody turns into a broad neutralizing antibody when expressed on the surface of HIV type 1-susceptible cells. II. Inhibition of HIV type 1 captured and transferred by DC-SIGN

Previously, we demonstrated that the expression of a nonneutralizing human anti-HIV-1 gp41 scFv on the surface of HIV-1-susceptible cells markedly inhibits HIV-1 replication and HIV-1 envelope-mediated cell-cell fusion. The inhibition is at the level of viral entry, specific for the HIV-1 envelope, and independent of virus tropism. In the previous studies, cell-free viruses of laboratory-adapted HIV-1 strains from subtype B were used to infect human CD4 T cell lines. To further test the effectiveness of this membrane-bound scFv (m-scFv) on HIV-1 infection, in this study, we carried out experiments to determine whether the m-scFv can neutralize infection of primary isolates from various HIV-1 subtypes and whether the m-scFv can neutralize HIV-1 captured and transferred by DC-SIGN on the surface of monocytic cell lines or DCs. We demonstrated that the m-scFv markedly inhibits primary isolates derived from various subtypes and significantly blocks HIV-1 captured and transferred by DC-SIGN on monocytic cell lines and on human DCs. Therefore, a nonneutralizing antibody acts as a broad neutralizing antibody when expressed on the cell surface, which significantly inhibits infection of both cell-free and DC-SIGN-captured and transferred virus. Our studies further point out the potential use of m-scFv as a inhibitor against HIV-1 transmission as well as a tool to dissect the mechanism of HIV-1 entry via DC-SIGN capture and transfer to CD4 T cells.     

Silent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection: a rare occurrence in a high-risk heterosexual population.

A group of 58 heterosexual female partners (FP) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-seropositive hemophiliacs was studied by conventional diagnostic methods such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis to examine whether any had acquired HIV-1 infection through sexual transmission. A subset of 29 FP were asked to answer a detailed questionnaire concerning their health, use of "safer sex" techniques, and other risk factors for HIV-1 infection. They also had additional blood drawn for CD4 cell analysis, viral cultures, nef, gag, and env immunoblots, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis to assess the occurrence of "silent" HIV-1 infection in a high-risk seronegative population. Among the 58 FP, three were found to be HIV-1-seropositive on first testing, with no new seroconversions occurring with subsequent testing in the remaining 55. Two seropositive FP had the additional testing and were found to have positive viral cultures, as well as positive PCR results. All of the seronegative FP (n = 24) who had additional testing were negative in viral culture, had negative immunoblots, and had no HIV-1 nucleic acid sequences detected by PCR. Thus, in this population, silent HIV-1 infection appears to be a rare occurrence and antibody testing seems to correlate with the more sensitive techniques of PCR and viral cultures.     

Frequent and early in utero HIV-1 infection

We have investigated in utero human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmission by analyzing human fetal tissues for the presence of viral DNA by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thirty three fetal samples: thymus, spleen, and peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PMBC) were obtained at abortion (16 to 24 weeks) from HIV-1-infected asymptomatic women. The results of HIV-1-DNA detection were considered only in 9 cases where contamination of fetal samples by infected mother cells could be definitely eliminated by using primers specific for a polymorphic cellular locus. PCR allowed the identification of HIV-1 DNA sequences in 6/8, 8/9, and 5/9 of specimens from thymus, spleen, and PMBC, respectively. Positive results were shown in fetuses as early as 16 weeks. Viral cultures as well as assays for serum p24 HIV-1 antigen were negative in 9.9 and 33/33 tested, respectively. Therefore, our results indicate early and frequent in utero HIV-1 infection. Different patterns of viral activation after birth might then lead to either rapid or delayed onset of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.     

When integrated in a subepithelial mucosal layer equivalent, dendritic cells keep their immature stage and their ability to replicate type R5 HIV type 1 strains in the absence of T cell subsets

Many potential targets of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reside in the human reproductive tract, including dendritic cells (DC). The ability of these cells to replicate HIV-1 is dependent on many factors such as their differentiation/maturation stage. Nevertheless, precise mechanisms underlying the early steps of transmucosal infection are still unknown. Our purpose was to investigate DC/HIV-1 interactions in a subepithelial mucosal layer equivalent (SEMLE) reconstructed in vitro. We used mixed interstitial DC (IntDC)/Langerhans cell (LC)-like cell subpopulations generated in vitro from CD34(+) progenitors. These cells were either integrated in SEMLE or maintained in suspension. Experimental infections were performed with a type X4 strain (HIV-1(LAI)) and a type R5 strain (HIV-1(Ba-L)). Proviral DNA was detected by in situ polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and viral replication was quantified by measuring p24 core protein release in the culture media. Our results showed that SEMLE enable DC to retain immature stage and reproduce the tropic selection that occurs in vivo. Indeed, IntDC/LC were infected by both types of HIV-1 strains, regardless of the infection schedule, whereas only type R5 virus replicated in DC in the absence of T cell subsets. Furthermore, the ability of DC to replicate HIV-1(BaL) was lost after 14 days of culture unless the cells had previously been integrated in SEMLE. These results suggest that this 3D model maintains the ability of DC to replicate type R5 virus by delaying their maturation. In conclusion, this in vitro model mimics human submucosa and can be considered as relevant for studying the preliminary steps of transmucosal HIV-1 infection.     

DC-SIGN-mediated transfer of HIV-1 is compromised by the ability of Leishmania infantum to exploit DC-SIGN as a ligand

DC-SIGN (dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3-grabbing nonintegrin) binds human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and facilitates transfer of virus to permissive cells. Leishmania parasites also exploit DC-SIGN as a receptor. Here, we report that transfer of HIV-1 to target cells is markedly reduced when DC-SIGN(+) cells are preincubated with Leishmania amastigotes before pulsing with virions. Moreover, binding of HIV-1 to DC-SIGN(+) cells is diminished by the presence of Leishmania amastigotes. Our findings provide novel insight into the complex interactions between HIV-1 and Leishmania parasites. The ability of both HIV-1 and Leishmania parasites to bind to the same cell-surface constituent to gain entry into dendritic cells might have an impact on the immunological and pathological events associated with HIV-1 infection.