Antibody recognition of CD4-induced open HIV-1 Env trimers

Abstract HIV-1 envelope (Env), a heterotrimer of gp120-gp41 subunits, mediates fusion of the viral and host cell membranes after interactions with the host receptor CD4 and a coreceptor. CD4 binding induces rearrangements in Env trimer, resulting in a CD4-induced (CD4i) open Env conformation. Structural studies of antibodies isolated from infected donors have defined antibody-Env interactions, with one class of antibodies specifically recognizing the CD4i open Env conformation. Here, we characterize a group of monoclonal antibodies isolated from HIV-1 infected donors (V2i mAbs) that display characteristics of CD4i antibodies. Binding experiments demonstrate that the V2i mAbs preferentially recognize CD4-bound open Env trimers. Structural characterizations of V2i mAb-Env-CD4 trimer complexes using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy show recognition by V2i mAbs using different angles of approach to the gp120 V1V2 domain and the β2/β3 strands on a CD4i open conformation Env with no direct interactions of the mAbs with CD4. We also characterize CG10, a CD4i antibody that was raised in mice immunized with a gp120-CD4 complex, complexed with Env trimer and CD4. CG10 exhibits similar characteristics to the V2i antibodies: i.e., recognition of the open Env conformation, but shows direct contacts to both CD4 and gp120. Structural comparisons of these and previously characterized CD4i antibody interactions with Env provide a suggested mechanism for how these antibodies are elicited during HIV-1 infection. ImportanceThe RV144 HIV-1 clinical vaccination trial showed mild protection against viral infection. Antibody responses to the V1V2 region of HIV-1 Env gp120 were correlated inversely with the risk of infection. In addition, antibodies targeting V1V2 have been correlated with protections from SIV and SHIV infections in non-human primates. We structurally characterized V2i antibodies directed against V1V2 isolated from HIV-1 infected humans in complex with open Env trimers bound to the host receptor CD4. We also characterized a CD4i antibody that interacts with CD4 as well as the gp120 subunit of an open Env trimer. Our study suggests how V2i and CD4i antibodies were elicited during HIV-1 infection.