Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope gp120 induces a stop signal and virological synapse formation in noninfected CD4+ T cells

J Virol. 2008 Oct;82(19):9445-57. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00835-08. Epub 2008 Jul 16.

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected T cells form a virological synapse with noninfected CD4(+) T cells in order to efficiently transfer HIV-1 virions from cell to cell. The virological synapse is a specialized cellular junction that is similar in some respects to the immunological synapse involved in T-cell activation and effector functions mediated by the T-cell antigen receptor. The immunological synapse stops T-cell migration to allow a sustained interaction between T-cells and antigen-presenting cells. Here, we have asked whether HIV-1 envelope gp120 presented on a surface to mimic an HIV-1-infected cell also delivers a stop signal and if this is sufficient to induce a virological synapse. We demonstrate that HIV-1 gp120-presenting surfaces arrested the migration of primary activated CD4 T cells that occurs spontaneously in the presence of ICAM-1 and induced the formation of a virological synapse, which was characterized by segregated supramolecular structures with a central cluster of envelope surrounded by a ring of ICAM-1. The virological synapse was formed transiently, with the initiation of migration within 30 min. Thus, HIV-1 gp120-presenting surfaces induce a transient stop signal and supramolecular segregation in noninfected CD4(+) T cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Movement
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / metabolism
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / physiology*
  • HIV-1 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Immune System
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / metabolism
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / virology
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry
  • Mice
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • gp120 protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1