Constitutive cell surface association between CD4 and CCR5

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999 Jun 22;96(13):7496-501. doi: 10.1073/pnas.96.13.7496.

Abstract

HIV-1 entry into cells involves formation of a complex between gp120 of the viral envelope glycoprotein (Env), a receptor (CD4), and a coreceptor. For most strains of HIV, this coreceptor is CCR5. Here, we provide evidence that CD4 is specifically associated with CCR5 in the absence of gp120 or any other receptor-specific ligand. The amount of CD4 coimmunoprecipitated with CCR5 was significantly higher than that with the other major HIV coreceptor, CXCR4, and in contrast to CXCR4 the CD4-CCR5 coimmunoprecipitation was not significantly increased by gp120. The CD4-CCR5 interaction probably takes place via the second extracellular loop of CCR5 and the first two domains of CD4. It can be inhibited by CCR5- and CD4-specific antibodies that interfere with HIV-1 infection, indicating a possible role in virus entry. These findings suggest a possible pathway of HIV-1 evolution and development of immunopathogenicity, a potential new target for antiretroviral drugs and a tool for development of vaccines based on Env-CD4-CCR5 complexes. The constitutive association of a seven-transmembrane-domain G protein-coupled receptor with another receptor also indicates new possibilities for cross-talk between cell surface receptors.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / virology*
  • Animals
  • CD4 Antigens / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / immunology
  • HIV-1 / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Receptors, CCR5 / immunology*
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Virus Replication / immunology

Substances

  • CD4 Antigens
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • Receptors, CCR5