Interaction of HIV envelope with cell surface receptors

National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases

Investigators

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Abstract

Our efforts have been directed toward defining basic aspects of HIV transmission, with the idea that this information can aid in the development of an effective HIV vaccine. In the past year we have focused our attention on the interaction of two cell surface receptors, CD4 and alpha4beta7, both of which bind specifically to the HIV envelope protein gp120. We have found that gp120 and CD4 engage integrin alpha4beta7 through a common mechanism. As such we have identified a shared epitope. The presence of this epitope may have important implications with respect to vaccine development insofar as the virus appears to mimic a host epitope. This raises the possibility of infection leading to an autoimmune response. These findings raise a host of new questions related to our understanding of the role of alpha4beta7 -expressing CD4+ T cells in HIV infection. Further studies of these dynamic interactions will provide knowledge that will be key to the development of an HIV vaccine.