CCR5 Coreceptor Research Articles

Genetic Characteristics of the Env Regions in HIV-1-Infected Subjects in Baoding City, Hebei Province, China.

The envelope glycoprotein (Env) on the surface of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) is a crucial protein that mediates binding to host cell receptors and subsequent membrane fusion. Env, as the sole target for neutralizing antibodies, holds unique importance in vaccine design. Therefore, analyzing the genetic characteristics of the Env region offers reference data for vaccine and drug design. From December 2021 to December 2022, 145 newly diagnosed, HIV-1-infected individuals in Baoding City were recruited into this study. The HIV-1 env gene sequence was successfully obtained from 142 of the 145 blood specimens, and the sequences were submitted to the Quality Control Tool (http//:HIV-DB Sequence Quality Control Tool (lanl.gov)) to analyze the viral subtype. The coreceptor tropism was predicted using the Geno2pheno web tool with falsepositive rate (FPR) values of 5%-15%, and the net charges of the third variable (V3) loop were calculated by Variable Region Characteristics (lanl.gov). The results showed that half of the patients were infected with the CCR5-tropic virus (50.0%, 71/142). In HIV-1 subtype CRF01_AE infection, the use of CXCR4 is expected to predominate, while in HIV-1 subtype CRF07_BC infection, CCR5 coreceptors are expected to be used predominantly. Sequence analysis of the V3 loop region revealed that subtypes CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC have similar median net charges (~3.0). Furthermore, GPGQ was found to be the major terminal tetrapeptide of the CRF07_ BC and CRF01_AE strains in this study. These findings enhance our understanding of the characteristics of the HIV-1 epidemic and provide important implications for HIV-1 vaccine design and clinical treatment.

Anti-HIV-1 HSPC-based gene therapy with safety kill switch to defend against and attack HIV-1 infection.

Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC)-based anti-HIV-1 gene therapy holds promise to provide life-long remission following a single treatment. Here we report a multi-pronged anti-HIV-1 HSPC-based gene therapy designed to defend against and attack HIV-1 infection. We developed a lentiviral vector capable of co-expressing three anti-HIV-1 genes. Two are designed to prevent infection, including a short-hairpin RNA (CCR5sh1005) to knock down HIV-1 co-receptor CCR5 and a membrane anchored HIV-1 fusion inhibitor (C46). The third gene is a CD4-based chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) designed to attack HIV-1 infected cells. Our vector also includes a non-signaling truncated human epidermal growth factor receptor (huEGFRt) which acts as a negative selection-based safety kill switch against transduced cells. Anti-HIV-1 vector-transduced human CD34+ HSPC efficiently reconstituted multi-lineage human hematopoietic cells in humanized bone marrow/liver/thymus (huBLT) mice. HIV-1 viral load was significantly reduced (1-log fold reduction, p <0.001) in transplanted huBLT mice. Anti-huEGFR monoclonal antibody Cetuximab (CTX) administration significantly reduced huEGFRt+ vector-modified cells (>4-fold reduction, p <0.01) in huBLT mice. These results demonstrate that our strategy is highly effective for HIV-1 inhibition, and that CTX-mediated negative selection can deplete anti-HIV-1 vector-modified cells in the event of unwanted adverse effects in huBLT mice.

Investigating the Effect of GLU283 Protonation State on the Conformational Heterogeneity of CCR5 by Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

CCR5 is a class A GPCR and serves as one of the coreceptors facilitating HIV-1 entry into host cells. This receptor has vital roles in the immune system and is involved in the pathogenesis of different diseases. Various studies were conducted to understand its activation mechanism, including structural studies in which inactive and active states of the receptor were determined in complex with various binding partners. These determined structures provided opportunities to perform molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and to analyze conformational changes observed in the protein structures. The atomic-level dynamic studies allow us to explore the effects of ionizable residues on the receptor. Here, our aim was to investigate the conformational changes in CCR5 when it forms a complex with either the inhibitor maraviroc (MRV), an approved anti-HIV drug, or HIV-1 envelope protein GP120, and compare these changes to the receptor's apo form. In our simulations, we considered both ionized and protonated states of ionizable binding site residue GLU2837.39 in CCR5 as the protonation state of this residue was considered ambiguously in previous studies. Our molecular simulations results suggested that in fact, the change in the protonation state of GLU2837.39 caused interaction profiles to be different between CCR5 and its binding partners, GP120 or MRV. We observed that when the protonated state of GLU2837.39 was considered in complex with the envelope protein GP120, there were substantial structural changes in CCR5, indicating that it adopts a more active-like conformation. On the other hand, CCR5 in complex with MRV always adopted an inactive conformation regardless of the protonation state. Hence, the CCR5 coreceptor displays conformational heterogeneity not only depending on its binding partner but also influenced by the protonation state of the binding site binding site residue GLU2837.39. This outcome is also in accordance with some studies showing that GP120 binding could activate signaling pathways. This outcome could also have significant implications for discovering novel CCR5 inhibitors as anti-HIV drugs using in silico methods such as molecular docking, as it may be necessary to consider the protonated state of GLU2837.39.

Characterization of a CXCR4 antagonist TIQ-15 with dual tropic HIV entry inhibition properties.

The chemokine co-receptors CXCR4 and CCR5 mediate HIV entry and signal transduction necessary for viral infection. However, to date only the CCR5 antagonist maraviroc is approved for treating HIV-1 infection. Given that approximately 50% of late-stage HIV patients also develop CXCR4-tropic virus, clinical anti-HIV CXCR4 antagonists are needed. Here, we describe a novel allosteric CXCR4 antagonist TIQ-15 which inhibits CXCR4-tropic HIV-1 infection of primary and transformed CD4 T cells. TIQ-15 blocks HIV entry with an IC50 of 13 nM. TIQ-15 also inhibits SDF-1α/CXCR4-mediated cAMP production, cofilin activation, and chemotactic signaling. In addition, TIQ-15 induces CXCR4 receptor internalization without affecting the levels of the CD4 receptor, suggesting that TIQ-15 may act through a novel allosteric site on CXCR4 for blocking HIV entry. Furthermore, TIQ-15 did not inhibit VSV-G pseudotyped HIV-1 infection, demonstrating its specificity in blocking CXCR4-tropic virus entry, but not CXCR4-independent endocytosis or post-entry steps. When tested against a panel of clinical isolates, TIQ-15 showed potent inhibition against CXCR4-tropic and dual-tropic viruses, and moderate inhibition against CCR5-tropic isolates. This observation was followed by a co-dosing study with maraviroc, and TIQ-15 demonstrated synergistic activity. In summary, here we describe a novel HIV-1 entry inhibitor, TIQ-15, which potently inhibits CXCR4-tropic viruses while possessing low-level synergistic activities against CCR5-tropic viruses. TIQ-15 could potentially be co-dosed with the CCR5 inhibitor maraviroc to block viruses of mixed tropisms.

Screening Bioactive Compounds from Vietnamese Medicinal Plants as Inhibitors of CCR5 and CXCR4 Co-receptors to Prevent and Treat HIV-1 Infection by Molecular Docking Methods

Screening Bioactive Compounds from Vietnamese Medicinal Plants as Inhibitors of CCR5 and CXCR4 Co-receptors to Prevent and Treat HIV-1 Infection by Molecular Docking Methods

Intermediate open state of CD4-bound HIV-1 env heterotrimers in asia CRFs

The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) plays crucial role in viral infection by facilitating viral attachment to host cells and inducing fusion of the virus with the host cell membrane. This fusion allows the HIV-1 viral genome to enter the target cell then triggering various stages of the viral life cycle. The native Env directly interacts with the main receptor CD4 and the co-receptor (CCR5 or CXCR4) in human cell membrane then induces membrane fusion. The elucidation of the structure of Env with CD4 and co-receptors in different HIV-1 subtypes is essential for the understanding of the mechanism of virus entry. Here we report the Cryo-EM structure of the CD4-bound HIV-1 heterotrimeric Env from Asia prevalent CRF07_BC CH119 strain. In this structure, the binding of three CD4 molecules with Env induced extensively conformational changes in gp120, resulting in the transformation of the Env from close state to intermediate open state. Additionally, the conformational shift of V1/V2 loops of the heterotrimeric Env allosterically expose the V3 loop and promoting the further interactions with co-receptor CCR5 or CXCR4. These findings not only illustrate the structural complexity and plasticity of HIV-1 Env but also give new insights how the biological trimeric Env initialize the immune recognition and membrane fusion.

Modification in Gene Expression of CCR5 Co-Receptor and Down Regulation of Virion Molecule with Primary Human T- cell in HIV Infection

About 1 2% of population in western European white people are resistant to hiv-1 infection due to modified gene of ccr5 receptor molecule. Modification of ccr5 receptor gene blocks the virion molecule to enter into the host cell. Mutations gene lead to slow progress rate of infection and low expression of cd4 + T cell. The hypothesis of researcher is that the modified allogeneic transplant with modified M303/M303 gene in ccr5 leads to resistant for HIV and AIDS patient. Deletion of gene in ccr5 receptor develops the ability of resistant with HIV-1. Down regulation of ccr5 receptor with macrophages T cell reduce the immune response and lead to slow progressive rate of infection. Different gene-editing methods are involved in ccr5 gene editing such as TALEN, ZFN, and CRISP/Cas. Mutant gene transplant in ccr5 receptor prevent the further exposure of dangerous retrovirus. As comparison of heterogeneous and homogenous .The heterogeneous analogues has more resistance as compare to homogenous genetic order. Chemokine and inflammatory mediator are the less active in heterogeneous. The homozygous mutation in ccr5 gene (ccr5∆32) base pair deletion induces nonfunctional ccr5 receptor and heterogonous mutation has resistant of HIV 1 and slow progressive effect.

CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing of CCR5 combined with C46 HIV-1 fusion inhibitor for cellular resistant to R5 and X4 tropic HIV-1

Hematopoietic stem-cell (HSC) transplantation using a donor with a homozygous mutation in the HIV co-receptor CCR5 (CCR5Δ32/Δ32) holds great promise as a cure for HIV-1. Previously, there were three patients that had been reported to be completely cured from HIV infection by this approach. However, finding a naturally suitable Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-matched homozygous CCR5Δ32 donor is very difficult. The prevalence of this allele is only 1% in the Caucasian population. Therefore, additional sources of CCR5Δ32/Δ32 HSCs are required. The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) system is one method to mediate CCR5 knockout in HSCs that has been successfully employed as a gene editing tool in clinical trials. Additional anti-HIV-1 strategies are still required for broad-spectrum inhibition of HIV-1 replication. Here in this study, we combined an additional anti-HIV-1 therapy, which is C46, a cell membrane-anchored HIV-1 fusion inhibitor with the CRISPR/Cas9 mediated knockout CCR5. The combined HIV-1 therapeutic genes were investigated for the potential prevention of both CCR5 (R5)- and CXCR4 (X4)-tropic HIV-1 infections in the MT4CCR5 cell line. The combinatorial CRISPR/Cas9 therapies were superior compared to single method therapy for achieving the HIV-1 cure strategy and shows potential for future applications.

IFNα induces CCR5 in CD4+ T cells of HIV patients causing pathogenic elevation

BackgroundAmong people living with HIV, elite controllers (ECs) maintain an undetectable viral load, even without receiving anti-HIV therapy. In non-EC patients, this therapy leads to marked improvement, including in immune parameters, but unlike ECs, non-EC patients still require ongoing treatment and experience co-morbidities. In-depth, comprehensive immune analyses comparing EC and treated non-EC patients may reveal subtle, consistent differences. This comparison could clarify whether elevated circulating interferon-alpha (IFNα) promotes widespread immune cell alterations and persists post-therapy, furthering understanding of why non-EC patients continue to need treatment.MethodsLevels of IFNα in HIV-infected EC and treated non-EC patients were compared, along with blood immune cell subset distribution and phenotype, and functional capacities in some cases. In addition, we assessed mechanisms potentially associated with IFNα overload.ResultsTreatment of non-EC patients results in restoration of IFNα control, followed by marked improvement in distribution numbers, phenotypic profiles of blood immune cells, and functional capacity. These changes still do not lead to EC status, however, and IFNα can induce these changes in normal immune cell counterparts in vitro. Hypothesizing that persistent alterations could arise from inalterable effects of IFNα at infection onset, we verified an IFNα-related mechanism. The protein induces the HIV coreceptor CCR5, boosting HIV infection and reducing the effects of anti-HIV therapies. EC patients may avoid elevated IFNα following on infection with a lower inoculum of HIV or because of some unidentified genetic factor.ConclusionsEarly control of IFNα is essential for better prognosis of HIV-infected patients.

HIV Productively Infects Highly Differentiated and Exhausted CD4+ T Cells During AIDS.

Throughout HIV infection, productively infected cells generate billions of viral particles and are thus responsible for body-wide HIV dissemination, but their phenotype during AIDS is unknown. As AIDS is associated with immunological changes, analyzing the phenotype of productively infected cells can help understand HIV production during this terminal stage. Blood samples from 15 untreated viremic participants (recent infection, n=5; long-term infection, n=5; active opportunistic AIDS-defining disease, n=5) and 5 participants virologically controlled on antiretroviral therapy (ART) enrolled in the Analysis of the Persistence, Reservoir and HIV Latency (APRIL) study (NCT05752318) were analyzed. Cells expressing the capsid protein p24 (p24+ cells) after 18 hours of resting or 24 hours of stimulation (HIV-Flow) revealed productively infected cells from viremic participants or translation-competent reservoir cells from treated participants, respectively. The frequency of productively infected cells tended to be higher during AIDS in comparison with recent and long-term infections (median, 340, 72, and 32/million CD4+ T cells, respectively) and correlated with the plasma viral load at all stages of infection. Altogether, these cells were more frequently CD4low, HLA-ABClow, CD45RA-, Ki67+, PD-1+, with a non-negligible contribution from pTfh (CXCR5+PD-1+) cells, and were not significantly enriched in HIV coreceptors CCR5 nor CXCR4 expression. The comparison markers expression between stages showed that productively infected cells during AIDS were enriched in memory and exhausted cells. In contrast, the frequencies of infected pTfh were lower during AIDS compared to non-AIDS stages. A UMAP analysis revealed that total CD4+ T cells were grouped in 7 clusters and that productive p24+ cells were skewed to given clusters throughout the course of infection. Overall, the preferential targets of HIV during the latest stages seemed to be more frequently highly differentiated (memory, TTD-like) and exhausted cells and less frequently pTfh-like cells. In contrast, translation-competent reservoir cells were less frequent (5/million CD4+ T cells) and expressed more frequently HLA-ABC and less frequently PD-1. In long-term infection and AIDS, productively infected cells were differentiated and exhausted. This could indicate that cells with these given features are responsible for HIV production and dissemination in an immune dysfunction environment occurring during the last stages of infection.

HIV coinfection exacerbates HBV-induced liver fibrogenesis through a HIF-1α- and TGF-β1-dependent pathway

Persons with chronic HBV infection coinfected with HIV experience accelerated progression of liver fibrosis compared to those with HBV monoinfection. We aimed to determine whether HIV and its proteins promote HBV-induced liver fibrosis in HIV/HBV-coinfected cell culture models through HIF-1α and TGF-β1 signaling. The HBV-positive supernatant, purified HBV viral particles, HIV-positive supernatant, or HIV viral particles were directly incubated with cell lines or primary hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, and macrophages in mono or 3D spheroid coculture models. Cells were incubated with recombinant cytokines and HIV proteins including gp120. HBV sub-genomic constructs were transfected into NTCP-HepG2 cells. We also evaluated the effects of inhibitor of HIF-1α and HIV gp120 in a HBV carrier mouse model that was generated via hydrodynamic injection of the pAAV/HBV1.2 plasmid into the tail vein of wild-type C57BL/6 mice. We found that HIV and HIV gp120, through engagement with CCR5 and CXCR4 coreceptors, activate AKT and ERK signaling and subsequently upregulate hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) to increase HBV-induced transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and profibrogenic gene expression in hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells. HIV gp120 exacerbates HBV X protein-mediated HIF-1α expression and liver fibrogenesis, which can be alleviated by inhibiting HIF-1α. Conversely, TGF-β1 upregulates HIF-1α expression and HBV-induced liver fibrogenesis through the SMAD signaling pathway. HIF-1α small-interfering RNA transfection or the HIF-1α inhibitor (acriflavine) blocked HIV-, HBV-, and TGF-β1-induced fibrogenesis. Our findings suggest that HIV coinfection exacerbates HBV-induced liver fibrogenesis through enhancement of the positive feedback between HIF-1α and TGF-β1 via CCR5/CXCR4. HIF-1α represents a novel target for antifibrotic therapeutic development in HBV/HIV coinfection. HIV coinfection accelerates the progression of liver fibrosis compared to HBV monoinfection, even among patients with successful suppression of viral load, and there is no sufficient treatment for this disease process. In this study, we found that HIV viral particles and specifically HIV gp120 promote HBV-induced hepatic fibrogenesis via enhancement of the positive feedback between HIF-1α and TGF-β1, which can be ameliorated by inhibition of HIF-1α. These findings suggest that targeting the HIF-1α pathway can reduce liver fibrogenesis in patients with HIV and HBV coinfection.

In vivo selection of anti-HIV-1 gene-modified human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells to enhance engraftment and HIV-1 inhibition

Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC)-based anti-HIV-1 gene therapy holds great promise to eradicate HIV-1 or to provide long-term remission through a continuous supply of anti-HIV-1 gene-modified cells without ongoing antiretroviral therapy. However, achieving sufficient engraftment levels of anti-HIV gene-modified HSPC to provide therapeutic efficacy has been a major limitation. Here we report an in vivo selection strategy for anti-HIV-1 gene-modified HSPC by introducing 6-thioguanine (6TG) chemo-resistance through knocking down hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) expression using RNA interference (RNAi). We developed a lentiviral vector capable of co-expressing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against HPRT alongside two anti-HIV-1 genes: shRNA targeting HIV-1 co-receptor CCR5 and a membrane anchored HIV-1 fusion inhibitor, C46, for efficient in vivo selection of anti-HIV-1 gene-modified human HSPC. 6TG-mediated preconditioning and in vivo selection significantly enhanced engraftment of HPRT-knockdown anti-HIV-1 gene-modified cells (>2 fold, p<0.005) in humanized bone marrow/liver/thymus (huBLT) mice. Viral load was significantly reduced (>1 log fold, p<0.001) in 6TG-treated HIV-1 infected huBLT mice compared to 6TG-untreated mice. We demonstrated that 6TG-mediated preconditioning and in vivo selection considerably improved engraftment of HPRT-knockdown anti-HIV-1 gene-modified HSPC and repopulation of anti-HIV-1 gene-modified hematopoietic cells in huBLT mice, allowing for efficient HIV-1 inhibition.

CXCR4 Is a Potential Target for Anti-HIV Gene Therapy.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic is a global issue. The estimated number of people with HIV is 39,000,000 to date. Antiviral therapy is the primary approach to treat the infection. However, it does not allow for a complete elimination of the pathogen. The advances in modern gene therapy methods open up new possibilities of effective therapy. One of these areas of possibility is the development of technologies to prevent virus penetration into the cell. Currently, a number of technologies aimed at either the prevention of virus binding to the CCR5 coreceptor or its knockout are undergoing various stages of clinical trials. Since HIV can also utilize the CXCR4 coreceptor, technologies to modify this receptor are also required. Standard knockout of CXCR4 is impossible due to its physiological significance. This review presents an analysis of interactions between individual amino acids in CXCR4 and physiological ligands and HIV gp120. It also discusses potential targets for gene therapy approaches aimed at modifying the coreceptor.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of HIV infection – comparison of “Berlin patient”, “London patient” and “Dusseldorf patient”

Introduction and aim. Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) remains one of the major issues in global public health. The standard therapy for HIV-1 positive patients includes using antiretroviral therapy (ART). These medications ensure suppression of viral replication but do not lead to a cure for the patient. The aim of this study was to present hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as a malignant treatment method which led to cure for three HIV-1 positive patients. Material and methods. Literature available in April 2023 was searched by using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Articles were selected using the following words: HIV, AIDS, HSCT therapy, ART therapy. Analysis of the literature. In each case of these described HSCT, the donor of hematopoietic stem cells had a homozygous mutation in the HIV co-receptor CCR5 (CCR5Δ32/Δ32). This mutation leads to a permanent lack of the protein and prevents penetration of virus by using this receptor. After transplantation, all of these 3 patients remained virus-free despite discontinuation of ART therapy. Conclusion. More research is needed to reduce the risk of using HSCT and perhaps in the future be able to use this therapy in all HIV-infected people.

Rational Design and Characterization of Trispecific Antibodies Targeting the HIV-1 Receptor and Envelope Glycoprotein.

Multitudinous broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against HIV-1 have been developed as novel antiviral prophylactic and therapeutic agents. Combinations of bNAbs are generally even more effective than when they are applied individually, showing excellent neutralization coverage and limiting the emergence of escape mutants. In this study, we investigated the design and characterization of three trispecific antibodies that allow a single molecule to interact with independent HIV-1 envelope determinants-(1) the host receptor CD4, (2) the host co-receptor CCR5 and (3) distinct domains in the envelope glycoprotein of HIV-1-using an ELISA, an HIV-1 pseudovirus neutralization assay and in vivo antiviral experiments in humanized mice. We found that trispecific bNAbs and monovalent ones all had satisfactory binding activities against the corresponding antigens in the ELISA, exhibited higher potency and breadth than any previously described single bnAb in the HIV-1 pseudovirus neutralization assay and showed an excellent antiviral effect in vivo. The trispecific antibodies simultaneously recognize the host receptor CD4, host co-receptor CCR5 and HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein, which could mean they have promise as prophylactic and therapeutic agents against HIV-1.

Global stability of a HIV-1 CCR5 gene therapy with suicide gene

In AIDS treatment, gene therapy targeting only CCR5 co-receptors cannot suppress HIV-1 (this is consistent with current data). When we construct a mathematical model, it is assumed that the same gene therapy combined with the expressed suicide gene only in HIV-1 infection can significantly improve the therapeutic effect. This paper analyzes the dynamic characteristics of HIV-1 CCR5 gene therapy combined with suicide gene therapy by establishing a mathematical model. Firstly, the basic reproduction number R 0 is obtained by using the next generation matrix method. Subsequently, using the Routh Hurwitz theorem and the central flow theorem, we show that the disease-free equilibrium and endemic equilibrium are locally asymptotically stable, respectively. Furthermore, the Lyapunov function is constructed to prove the global stability of disease-free equilibrium and endemic equilibrium under certain conditions. Finally, the numerical simulations confirm the correctness of the results.

Activation of Toll-like receptor 3 inhibits HIV infection of human iPSC-derived microglia.

As a key immune cell in the brain, microglia are essential for protecting the central nervous system (CNS) from viral infections, including HIV. Microglia possess functional Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), a key viral sensor for activating interferon (IFN) signaling pathway-mediated antiviral immunity. We, therefore, studied the effect of poly (I:C), a synthetic ligand of TLR3, on the activation of the intracellular innate immunity against HIV in human iPSC-derived microglia (iMg). We found that poly (I:C) treatment of iMg effectively inhibits HIV infection/replication at both mRNA and protein levels. Investigations of the mechanisms revealed that TLR3 activation of iMg by poly (I:C) induced the expression of both type I and type III IFNs. Compared with untreated cells, the poly (I:C)-treated iMg expressed significantly higher levels of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) with known anti-HIV activities (ISG15, MxB, Viperin, MxA, and OAS-1). In addition, TLR3 activation elicited the expression of the HIV entry coreceptor CCR5 ligands (CC chemokines) in iMg. Furthermore, the transcriptional profile analysis showed that poly (I:C)-treated cells had the upregulated IFN signaling genes (ISG15, ISG20, IFITM1, IFITM2, IFITM3, IFITM10, APOBEC3A, OAS-2, MxA, and MxB) and the increased CC chemokine signaling genes (CCL1, CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, and CCL15). These observations indicate that TLR3 is a potential therapy target for activating the intracellular innate immunity against HIV infection/replication in human microglial cells. Therefore, further studies with animal models and clinical specimens are necessary to determine the role of TLR3 activation-driven antiviral response in the control and elimination of HIV in infected host cells.

V3 tip determinants of susceptibility to inhibition by CD4-mimetic compounds in natural clade A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoproteins.

CD4-mimetic compounds (CD4mcs) are small-molecule inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) entry into host cells. CD4mcs target a pocket on the viral envelope glycoprotein (Env) spike that is used for binding to the receptor, CD4, and is highly conserved among HIV-1 strains. Nonetheless, naturally occurring HIV-1 strains exhibit a wide range of sensitivities to CD4mcs. Our study identifies changes distant from the binding pocket that can influence the susceptibility of natural HIV-1 strains to the antiviral effects of multiple CD4mcs. We relate the antiviral potency of the CD4mc against this panel of HIV-1 variants to the ability of the CD4mc to activate entry-related changes in Env conformation prematurely. These findings will guide efforts to improve the potency and breadth of CD4mcs against natural HIV-1 variants.

HIV Co-Receptor Tropism Usage: First Report from the Iranian Patients

Aim: The HIV-V3 sequence influences tropism via the interaction of HIV with CCR5 and CXCR4 coreceptors; however, no consistent sequence accounts for R5 or X4-virus. Methods: RT-nested PCR was performed to define V3-tropism in 123 samples using genotypic methods, including Geno2Pheno, WebPSSM, PhenoSeq, Net Charge and the 11/25 rule. Results: Among the samples studied, the HIV-1 R5 tropic viruses were predominant. However, X4 tropism could be a reason for the higher risk of treatment failure. A good accordance was observed between paired DNA/RNA tropism results. Conclusion: CCR5 inhibitors can be crucial in simplifying HIV treatment in Iranian patients. X4-virus is a risk factor for treatment failure. Proviral DNA (pvDNA) tropism result can be an appropriate target for V3-tropism determination.

Female Sex Hormones Upregulate the Replication Activity of HIV-1 Sub-Subtype A6 and CRF02_AG but Not HIV-1 Subtype B.

More than 50% of all people living with HIV worldwide are women. Globally, HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death among women aged 15 to 44. The safe and effective methods of hormonal contraception are an essential component of preventive medical care in order to reduce maternal and infant mortality. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the effect of hormones on the rate of viral replication in HIV infection, especially non-B subtypes. The goal of the present work was to study in vitro how the female hormones β-estradiol and progesterone affect the replication of the HIV-1 subtypes A6, CRF02_AG, and B. The findings show that high doses of hormones enhanced the replication of HIV-1 sub-subtype A6 by an average of 1.75 times and the recombinant variant CRF02_AG by 1.4 times but did not affect the replication of HIV-1 subtype B. No difference was detected in the expression of CCR5 and CXCR4 co-receptors on the cell surface, either in the presence or absence of hormones. However, one of the reasons for the increased viral replication could be the modulated TLRs secretion, as it was found that high doses of estradiol and progesterone upregulated, to varying degrees, the expression of TLR2 and TLR9 genes in the PBMCs of female donors infected with HIV-1 sub-subtype A6.