Coreceptor switch in R5-tropic simian/human immunodeficiency virus-infected macaques

J Virol. 2007 Aug;81(16):8621-33. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00759-07. Epub 2007 May 30.

Abstract

The basis for the switch from CCR5 to CXCR4 coreceptor usage seen in approximately 50% of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtype B-infected individuals as disease advances is not well understood. Among the reasons proposed are target cell limitation and better immune recognition of the CXCR4 (X4)-tropic compared to the CCR5 (R5)-tropic virus. We document here X4 virus emergence in a rhesus macaque (RM) infected with R5-tropic simian/human immunodeficiency virus, demonstrating that coreceptor switch can happen in a nonhuman primate model of HIV/AIDS. The switch to CXCR4 usage in RM requires envelope sequence changes in the V3 loop that are similar to those found in humans, suggesting that the R5-to-X4 evolution pathways in the two hosts overlap. Interestingly, compared to the inoculating R5 virus, the emerging CXCR4-using virus is highly neutralization sensitive. This finding, coupled with the observation of X4 evolution and appearance in an animal with undetectable circulating virus-specific antibody and low cellular immune responses, lends further support to an inhibitory role of antiviral immunity in HIV-1 coreceptor switch.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / virology*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • HIV / genetics*
  • HIV / isolation & purification
  • HIV / physiology
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Receptors, CCR5 / physiology*
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / physiology*
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics*
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / isolation & purification
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / physiology
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / genetics*
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / metabolism
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Receptors, CCR5
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • gp120 protein, Simian immunodeficiency virus