Jean-Claude Gluckman

HIV infection: facts and hypotheses

The etiological agent of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was first isolated in 1983 and called lymphadenopathy associated virus (LAV). Other isolates of similar viruses have been named HTLV-III or ARV. Numerous studies of their biological and molecular characteristics have confirmed that they are all different isolates of the same virus for which the name human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has recently been proposed by an international committee. The current understanding of HIVs biological properties, supported by epidemiological and clinical observations, enables David Klatzmann and John Gluckman to propose a general model for its pathogenicity: a complex pathway of interaction between host and virus properties controls the stepwise evolution from primary infection to disease.

Safety and immunogenicity of a live recombinant canarypox virus expressing HIV type 1 gp120 MN tm/gag/protease LAI (ALVAC-HIV, vCP205) followed by a p24E-V3 MN synthetic peptide (CLTB-36) administered in healthy volunteers at low risk for HIV infection

A live recombinant canarypox vector expressing HIV-1 gp120 MN tm/gag/protease LAI (ALVAC-HIV, vCP205) alone or boosted by a p24E-V3 MN synthetic peptide (CLTB-36) was tested in healthy volunteers at low risk for HIV infection for their safety and immunogenicity. Both antigens were well tolerated. ALVACHIV (vCP205) induced low levels of neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1 MN in 33% of the volunteers. None of them had detectable neutralizing antibodies against a nonsyncytium-inducing HIV-1 clade B primary isolate (Bx08). After the fourth injection of vCP205, CTL activity was detected in 33% of the volunteers and was directed against Env, Gag, and Pol. This activity was mediated by both CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes. On the other hand, the CLTB-36 peptide was poorly immunogenic and induced no neutralizing antibodies or CTLs. Although the ALVAC-HIV (vCP205) and CLTB-36 prime-boost regimen was not optimal, further studies with ALVAC-HIV (vCP205) are warranted because of its clear induction of a cellular immune r...

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against HIV-1 in sera of immunized chimpanzees

After immunization of chimpanzees against HIV antigens, antibodies that mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) were evaluated and compared with anti-HIV-antibody levels detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and neutralizing antibody titers. Adult chimpanzees were immunized with different HIV-1 (LAV-BRU) antigen preparations: recombinant vaccinia virus (rVV) expressing gp160, p25 or p27nef; formalin- and beta-propiolactone-inactivated whole virus (inHIV); soluble recombinant gp160 either associated or not associated with other HIV proteins; a 25-mer peptide from the V3 region of gp120 coupled with KLH (V3-KLH). Immunization with the various rVV mixtures induced no or borderline ADCC increase above preimmune serum levels. Stronger and more sustained reactivity was elicited by inHIV. Purified HIV antigens elicited ADCC activity when the chimpanzees were naive; ADCC increased or remained at the same level when the animals had been preimmunized with rVV and/or inHIV. This type of reactivity apparently did not depend on whether gp160 alone or mixed with other proteins was used for immunization. The injection of V3-KLH resulted in only little, if any, recall ADCC response. ELISA antibody titers significantly correlated with ADCC and neutralizing antibody titers, but serum ADCC was independent of neutralizing antibody titers, an indication that the two latter serum activities are mediated by independent antibodies. Therefore, ADCC is elicited in the same manner as other antibody activities by the immunization of chimpanzees with inHIV or with purified recombinant HIV antigen preparations. The results obtained from the three chimpanzees of this series, which were subsequently challenged with infectious virus through the intravenous route, suggest that serum ADCC may be considered for vaccination purposes.

Detection of anti-CD4 autoantibodies in the sera of HIV-infected patients using recombinant soluble CD4 molecules.

The use of purified recombinant soluble CD4 (sT4) allowed the detection of high titers of anti-CD4 immunoglobulins in the sera of three out of 33 HIV-infected patients. Binding of these antibodies to sT4 was first detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and their reactivity in the assay was blocked in a dose-dependent manner by preincubation with sT4. The antibodies could also immunoprecipitate iodinated sT4, but they failed to recognize CD4 expressed on the surface of CD4+ lymphocytes or cell lines. An ELISA which used as an antigen a truncated soluble CD4 molecule containing only the first two amino-terminal domains of the CD4 molecule did not react with these sera in ELISA, nor did it block antibody binding to sT4. Both these human sera and Leu3a, a mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) which recognizes an epitope of CD4 close to the HIV binding site, failed to compete with one another for binding to sT4. Because these antibodies did not recognize epitope(s) of the CD4 molecule close to the HIV binding site, they are not likely to be anti-idiotypic antibodies directed against anti-HIV envelope antibodies. The exact location of the recognized epitope(s), as well as the role, if any, of these antibodies in the pathophysiology of HIV infection remains to be determined.

Hiv infection of monocytic cells: rôle of antibody-mediated virus binding to Fc-gamma receptors

We investigated whether human immunoglobulin G (IgG) directed to gp110 may serve as an attachment system to Fc-gamma receptors (Fc-gamma R), allowing eventual infection of cells of the macrophage lineage. An anti-HIV IgG preparation that prevented viral particles and soluble recombinant radiolabelled envelope precursor gp160 from binding to CD4 on CEM lymphoid cells, and that strongly inhibited infection of these cells by HIV, was selected. In contrast, anti-HIV IgG, whether or not previously complexed to viral particles, bound to monocytic U937 cells that express both high Fc-gamma RI and low affinity Fc-gamma RII receptors. Precoating these cells with anti-HIV IgG or complexing the antibodies with soluble 125I-gp160 resulted in increased fixation of gp160 to the cells, which was inhibited by aggregated human normal IgG. These data indicate that anti-HIV IgG-dependent attachment of gp160 to monocytic cells occurs through both types of Fc-gamma R. In addition, this method of attachment resulted in productive infection of U937 cells that, since it was blocked in the presence of Leu3a, still appeared to involve gp110-CD4 interaction. Only slight enhancement of infectivity, such as described for other enveloped viruses, was noted, even when antibody concentration was titrated down. This mechanism may be one of the explanations why the humoral response to HIV is not usually protective.

Immunological analysis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein proteolytic cleavage

Two potential cleavage sites have been identified on precursor gp 160 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1. Using antibodies directed against the C-terminus of gp 120, including the sequence between the two sites, we have shown that nonmutated viral and recombinant gp 160 are cleaved at both sites: the great majority of molecules are cleaved at site 1 (Arg-Glu-Lys-Arg), and gp41 can then associate as an oligomer; a minority of molecules are cleaved at site 2 (Lys-Ala-Lys-Arg-Arg) and the corresponding gp41 appears to present as a monomer. This could reflect two different processing pathways for gp41 biosynthesis, one of which only may result in biologically active molecules according to the literature.

Effect of a glucosidase inhibitor on the bioactivity and immunoreactivity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein

Apparently conflicting results have been reported regarding the role of env glycoprotein glycans in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infectivity and cytopathogenicity. Whereas we have shown that enzymic removal of carbohydrates from mature envelope glycoproteins has only limited effect on the ability of HIV-1 to bind to CD4 and to infect target cells, sugar analogues that interfere with the glycosylation process of the nascent molecule markedly reduce virus infectivity. Here we have investigated the effect of a glucosidase inhibitor, 1-deoxynojirimycin (dNM), on the bioactivity and immunoreactivity of precursor gp160 produced by recombinant vaccinia virus-infected BHK-21 cells (rgp160). dNM (4 mM) did not affect the amount of rgp160 recovered nor its secretion from the cells. As described by other authors the effect of dNM was incomplete, resulting in the production of rgp160, the glycosylation of which was heterogeneous with respect to apparent Mr distribution and to sensitivity to endoglycosidase H and endoglycosidase F, all the species being susceptible to N-glycanase. A major reduction of the binding to CD4+ cells was noted with rgp 160 produced by dNM-treated cells using a quantitative indirect immunofluorescence assay and labelling with polyclonal human anti-HIV IgG. Similarly, dNM treatment altered the accessibility to murine monoclonal antibody 110-4 of the exposed V3 loop of HIV-1 gp120 by at least 10-fold, as determined by either ELISA capture assay or immunoaffinity purification. Such bioactivity and conformation modifications, which result from the abnormal folding of the nascent glycoprotein due to aberrant glycosylation, may account for the impaired HIV-1 infectivity elicited by dNM.

Molecular interaction between HIV-1 major envelope glycoprotein and dextran sulfate

We investigated at the molecular level the interaction between, HIV-1 recombinant gp160 (rgp160) and low-molecular-weight dextran sulfate. We demonstrate the occurrence of a specific interaction between rgp160 and sulfated dextran beads, which is saturable, pH-dependent and inhibitable by soluble dextran sulfate but not by soluble dextran. This specific interaction has a low affinity, with an estimated Kd in the 10(-4) M range. In addition, the binding of rgp160 to soluble recombinant CD4 (sT4) can only be inhibited by the preincubation of rgp160, but not of sT4, with dextran sulfate. Taken together, these results demonstrate the occurrence of a low affinity, but specific interaction between dextran sulfate and rgp160. This may account, at least in part, for the anti-HIV-1 activity of dextran sulfate.

Cytotoxic effect on lymphocytes of Tat from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1)

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) genome codes for trans‐activator Tat, an 86‐residue protein whose expression is critical for viral replication. Full‐length Tat and Tat peptides from HIV‐1 were chemically synthesized using optimized solid phase technique. Synthetic Tat 2 in86, was found not only to inhibit antigen‐induced human peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) proliferation in vitro, as described by Viscidi et al. [1989, Science 246, 1606‐1608], but also mitogen‐induced PBL proliferation, with 50% inhibition obtained at 0.9 and 8 μ;M, respectively. To assess the mechanism by which Tat exert its inhibitory effect, we analysed its interaction and effect on CD4+‐cells. Direct fluorescence and indirect immunofluorescence assays analysed by flow cytometry showed that fluorescein isothiocyanate‐labeled and ‐unlabeled Tat interact (>0.2 μ;M) with CD4‐expressing lymphoid cells (CEM cell line). Experiments of chromium‐51 release and Trypan blue exclusion on these tumor cells in vitro have demonstrated the capacity of Tat to modify cellular membrane permeability and cell viability, in a dose‐dependent manner. The use of Tat peptides revealed that those containing the Tat basic region from 49 to 57 were able to bind to the cell membrane and to exhibit a cytotoxic activity on lymphocytes. Together, the data suggest that the potential cytotoxicity of Tat on lymphocytes could be directly implicated in virus‐induced immune dysfunction observed in HIV‐1 infected patients.

A monoclonal antibody directed to sulfatide inhibits the biding of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein to macrophages but not their infections by the virus

We show here that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope glycoproteins (gp160/gp120) bind to sulfatide and galactosyl ceramide. By immunofluorescence labeling with monoclonal antibody (mAb) A2B5, specific for ganglioside/sulfatide, we detect negatively charged glycolipids on CD4+ cells of the macrophage lineage and lymphocytes. Labeling of monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) with mAb A2B5 was reproducibly found in 29 healthy donors, independently of the culture method and duration up to 11 days. The binding of the mAb to neuraminidase-treated MDM was unchanged relative to control cells, but mAb binding decreased after arylsulfatase treatment, which indicates that MDM membrane sulfatide is its major ligand. Preincubating MDM with the mAb partially (40-60%) but significantly inhibited the binding of HIV-1LAI radiolabeled recombinant gp160 to the cells. Similarly, the mAb entailed limited (32%) but significant inhibition of gp160 binding to cells of the monocytic U937 line but not to lymphoid CEM cells. However, mAb A2B5 did not inhibit the infection of CEM nor of U937 cells by HIV-1LAI strain, nor of MDM by monocytotropic HIV-1BaL. Thus, although sulfatide may be involved in the binding of HIV env glycoprotein to MDM or monocytic U937 cells, this does not play a significant role in HIV infection of these CD4+ cells.