Two Families of Env Antibodies Efficiently Engage Fc-Gamma Receptors and Eliminate HIV-1-Infected Cells

HIV-1 conceals epitopes of its envelope glycoproteins (Env) recognized by antibody (Ab)-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)-mediating antibodies. These Abs, including anti-coreceptor binding site (CoRBS) and anti-cluster A antibodies, preferentially recognize Env in its open conformation. The binding of anti-CoRBS Abs has been shown to induce conformational changes that further open Env, allowing interaction of anti-cluster A antibodies. We explored the possibility that CoRBS Abs synergize with anti-cluster A Abs to engage Fc-gamma receptors to mediate ADCC. We found that binding of anti-CoRBS and anti-cluster A Abs to the same gp120 is required for interaction with soluble dimeric Fc gamma RIIIa in enzymelinked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). We also found that Fc regions of both Abs are required to optimally engage Fc gamma RIIIa and mediate robust ADCC. Taken together, our results indicate that these two families of Abs act together in a sequential and synergistic fashion to promote Fc gamma RIIIa engagement and ADCC. IMPORTANCE The open CD4-bound conformation of HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins is the primary target of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)-mediating antibodies present in HIV-positive (HIV+) sera, such as anti-coreceptor binding site and anti-cluster A antibodies. Here we report that the binding of these two families of antibodies is required to engage Fc gamma RIIIa and mediate ADCC.