Affiliation:
1. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
2. VA New York Harbor Healthcare System
3. University of Antwerp
4. New York University Grossman School of Medicine
5. New York University Langone Medical Center
6. University of Alberta
7. University of California, San Francisco
Abstract
Abstract
While bacterial dysbiosis has been associated with increased HIV-1 transmission risk, little is known about direct associations between HIV-1 and bacteria. This study evaluated HIV-1 interactions with bacteria through glycan-binding lectins that affect virus infectivity. The Streptococcal Siglec-like lectin SLBR-N, which is part of the fimbriae shrouding the bacteria surface and recognizes α2,3 sialyated O-linked glycans, was noted for the ability to enhance HIV-1 infectivity in the context of cell-free infection and cell-to-cell transfer. SLBR-N was demonstrated to capture HIV-1 virions, bind to O-glycans on HIV-1 Env, and augment CD4 binding to Env. Other SLBRs recognizing distinct O-glycans also enhanced HIV-1 infectivity, albeit to lower extents, whereas N-glycan-binding bacterial lectins FimH and Msl had no effect. Enhancing effects were recapitulated with O-glycan-binding plant lectins. Hence, this study highlights the potential contribution of O-glycans in promoting HIV-1 infection through the exploitation of O-glycan-binding lectins from commensal bacteria at the mucosa.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC