Alexandra A. Lambert

The C-type lectin surface receptor DCIR acts as a new attachment factor for HIV-1 in dendritic cells and contributes to trans- and cis-infection pathways

The dynamic interplay between dendritic cells (DCs) and human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) is thought to result in viral dissemination and evasion of antiviral immunity. Although initial observations suggested that the C-type lectin receptor (CLR) DC-SIGN was responsible for the trans-infection function of the virus, subsequent studies demonstrated that trans-infection of CD4(+) T cells with HIV-1 can also occur through DC-SIGN-independent mechanisms. We demonstrate that a cell surface molecule designated DCIR (for DC immunoreceptor), a member of a recently described family of DC-expressing CLRs, can participate in the capture of HIV-1 and promote infection in trans and in cis of autologous CD4(+) T cells from human immature monocyte-derived DCs. The contribution of DCIR to these processes was revealed using DCIR-specific siRNAs and a polyclonal antibody specific for the carbohydrate recognition domain of DCIR. Data from transfection experiments indicated that DCIR acts as a ligand for HIV-1 and is involved in events leading to productive virus infection. Finally, we show that the neck domain of DCIR is important for the DCIR-mediated effect on virus binding and infection. These results point to a possible role for DCIR in HIV-1 pathogenesis by supporting the productive infection of DCs and promoting virus propagation.

DCIR-mediated enhancement of HIV-1 infection requires the ITIM-associated signal transduction pathway

Dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR) is a C-type lectin receptor expressed at high levels on dendritic cells (DCs). This surface molecule acts as an attachment factor for HIV-1 on DCs and contributes to trans- and cis-infection pathways. Moreover, DICR is induced by HIV-1 in CD4(+) T cells and promotes virus replication in this cell type. Nothing is known hitherto about the DCIR-dependent signaling, which is induced following HIV-1 ligation. First, specific pharmacologic inhibitors were tested on HIV-1 binding/entry and, second, specific antisense oligonucleotides targeted, more specifically kinases and phosphatases, were used. Our results show that SHP-1, SHP-2, Syk, and Src kinases (ie, Src, Fyn, and Hck) as well as PKC-α and MAP kinases (ie, Erk1/2 and p38) are all involved in the DCIR-mediated signal transduction pathway triggered by HIV-1. By mutagenesis and through the use of intracellular phosphorylated peptides, we show as well a pivotal role for the tyrosine and threonine residues of the DCIR immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM). Our data suggest for the first time an involvement of ITIM domain in HIV-1-mediated signaling events and a relationship between phosphorylation events and DCIR function with respect to HIV-1 biology.

HIV-1 Induces DCIR Expression in CD4+ T Cells

The C-type lectin receptor DCIR, which has been shown very recently to act as an attachment factor for HIV-1 in dendritic cells, is expressed predominantly on antigen-presenting cells. However, this concept was recently challenged by the discovery that DCIR can also be detected in CD4+ T cells found in the synovial tissue from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Given that RA and HIV-1 infections share common features such as a chronic inflammatory condition and polyclonal immune hyperactivation status, we hypothesized that HIV-1 could promote DCIR expression in CD4+ T cells. We report here that HIV-1 drives DCIR expression in human primary CD4+ T cells isolated from patients (from both aviremic/treated and viremic/treatment naive persons) and cells acutely infected in vitro (seen in both virus-infected and uninfected cells). Soluble factors produced by virus-infected cells are responsible for the noticed DCIR up-regulation on uninfected cells. Infection studies with Vpr- or Nef-deleted viruses revealed that these two viral genes are not contributing to the mechanism of DCIR induction that is seen following acute infection of CD4+ T cells with HIV-1. Moreover, we report that DCIR is linked to caspase-dependent (induced by a mitochondria-mediated generation of free radicals) and -independent intrinsic apoptotic pathways (involving the death effector AIF). Finally, we demonstrate that the higher surface expression of DCIR in CD4+ T cells is accompanied by an enhancement of virus attachment/entry, replication and transfer. This study shows for the first time that HIV-1 induces DCIR membrane expression in CD4+ T cells, a process that might promote virus dissemination throughout the infected organism.

Exosome release following activation of the dendritic cell immunoreceptor: A potential role in HIV-1 pathogenesis

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles (EVs) that play a role in intercellular communication. Stimulation of dendritic cells by the HIV-1 virus triggers their release. HIV-1 binds to dendritic cells via dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR). This study shows that inhibiting the binding to DCIR significantly decreases exosome release by HIV-1-pulsed dendritic cells. In addition, exosome release from Raji-CD4 expressing DCIR cells stimulated by anti-DCIR or HIV-1 is decreased when the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM) signaling motif of DCIR is mutated. Unlike the EVs released from Raji-CD4-DCIR cells after antibody stimulation, those released from HIV-1-infected cells contain the pro-apoptotic protein DAP-3. Furthermore, EVs from HIV-1 pulsed dendritic cells increase spontaneous apoptosis in uninfected CD4 T lymphocytes while they decrease it in neutrophils. This study describes for the first time that DCIR plays a role in the release of exosomes strengthening the importance of this receptor and EVs/exosomes in HIV-1 pathogenesis.

Dendritic Cell Immunoreceptor Is a New Target for Anti- AIDS Drug Development: Identification of DCIR/HIV-1 Inhibitors

The HIV-1 pandemic continues to expand while no effective vaccine or cure is yet available. Existing therapies have managed to limit mortality and control viral proliferation, but are associated with side effects, do not cure the disease and are subject to development of resistance. Finding new therapeutic targets and drugs is therefore crucial. We have previously shown that the dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR), a C-type lectin receptor expressed on dendritic cells (DCs), acts as an attachment factor for HIV-1 to DCs and contributes to HIV-1 transmission to CD4+ T lymphocytes (CD4TL). Directly involved in HIV-1 infection, DCIR is expressed in apoptotic or infected CD4TL and promotes trans-infection to bystander cells. Here we report the 3D modelling of the extracellular domain of DCIR. Based on this structure, two surface accessible pockets containing the carbohydrate recognition domain and the EPS binding motif, respectively, were targeted for screening of chemicals that will disrupt normal interaction with HIV-1 particle. Preliminary screening using Raji-CD4-DCIR cells allowed identification of two inhibitors that decreased HIV-1 attachment and propagation. The impact of these inhibitors on infection of DCs and CD4TL was evaluated as well. The results of this study thus identify novel molecules capable of blocking HIV-1 transmission by DCs and CD4TL.

Dendritic Cells Pulsed with HIV-1 Release Exosomes that Promote Apoptosis in Cd4+ T Lymphocytes

Loss of mucosal CD4TL (CD4+ T lymphocyte) cells is a salient characteristic of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). While several mechanisms promoting T cell apoptosis have been proposed, they fail to explain fully the observed T cell loss. Dendritic cells (DCs) are thought to play a pivotal role in the spread of HIV-1 throughout the organism, both establishing and maintaining the infection. DCs capture virions, enclose them in late endocytic compartments and subsequently deliver them to target cells. Internalized viral particles are found in cellular compartments that also contain nanovesicles known as exosomes. These vesicles and virions are released together by DCs. Whether or not exosomes are benign in HIV-1 pathogenesis is unknown. We therefore examined the effect of exosomes derived from HIV-1-infected DCs on CD4TL viability and HIV infectivity in CD4TL. DCs exposed to HIV-1 release more exosomes into the extra-cellular media than do control cells. By processing culture supernatant of infected DCs to separate HIV-1 from exosomes, we showed that the latter produce a proapoptotic profile in CD4TL. The purified HIV-1 fraction allows greater viability of CD4TL but is more infectious than the exosome-containing fraction. Altogether, our results suggest that exosomes derived from HIV-1-infected DCs can bring about apoptosis of CD4TL and might thereby limit HIV infectivity in the infectious synapse. Exosome release appears to be an important immune modulator mechanism while appearing paradoxically to contribute to the T-cell depletion observed following HIV infection.

Three-dimensional modeling of DCIR and identification of new drugs blocking HIV-1 attachment and propagation

The HIV-1 pandemic continues to expand while no effective vaccine is yet available. Finding new therapeutic targets and drugs is therefore crucial. We have previously shown that the dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR), a C-type lectin receptor expressed in dendritic cells (DCs), acts as an attachment factor for HIV-1 to DCs and contributes to HIV-1 transmission to CD4+ T lymphocytes (CD4TL). Directly involved in HIV-1 infection, DCIR is expressed in apoptotic or infected CD4TL and promotes trans-infection to bystander cells. The aim of the present study is to characterize the extracellular domain of DCIR and to test chemical inhibitors of HIV-1 attachment thereto.