Small CD4 mimetics sensitize HIV-1-infected macrophages to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity

HIV-1 envelope (Env) conformation determines the susceptibility of infected CD4(+) T cells to antibody -depen-dent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Upon interaction with CD4, Env adopts more open conformations, exposing ADCC epitopes. HIV-1 limits Env-CD4 interaction and protects infected cells against ADCC by downregulating CD4 via Nef, Vpu, and Env. Limited data exist, however, of the role of these proteins in down -modulating CD4 on infected macrophages and how this impacts Env conformation. While Nef, Vpu, and Env are all required to efficiently downregulate CD4 on infected CD4(+) T cells, we show here that any one of these proteins is sufficient to downmodulate most CD4 from the surface of infected macrophages. Consistent with this finding, Nef and Vpu have a lesser impact on Env conformation and ADCC sensitivity in infected macro-phages compared with CD4(+) T cells. However, treatment of infected macrophages with small CD4 mimetics exposes vulnerable CD4-induced Env epitopes and sensitizes them to ADCC.

Automated summary

The conformation of HIV-1 envelope (Env) determines the susceptibility of infected CD4(+) T cells to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The downregulation of CD4 on infected macrophages by Nef, Vpu, and Env has a lesser impact on Env conformation and ADCC sensitivity compared to CD4(+) T cells. However, treatment of infected macrophages with small CD4 mimetics exposes vulnerable CD4-induced Env epitopes and sensitizes them to ADCC.