Enzymatic removal of mannose moieties can increase the immune response to HIV-1 gp120 in vivo

Virology. 2009 Jun 20;389(1-2):108-21. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2009.04.001. Epub 2009 May 2.

Abstract

The Env glycoproteins gp120 and gp41 are used in humoral immunity-based vaccines against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. One among many obstacles to such a vaccine is the structural defenses of Env glycoproteins that limit their immunogenicity. For example, gp120 mannose residues can induce immunosuppressive responses in vitro, including IL-10 expression, via mannose C-type lectin receptors on antigen-presenting cells. Here, we have investigated whether mannose removal alters gp120 immunogenicity in mice. Administering demannosylated gp120 (D-gp120) in the T(H)2-skewing adjuvant Alum induced approximately 50-fold higher titers of anti-gp120 IgG, compared to unmodified gp120. While the IgG subclass profile was predominantly T(H)2-associated IgG1, Abs of the T(H)1-associated IgG2a and IgG3 subclasses were also detectable in D-gp120 recipients. Immunizing with D-gp120 also improved T-cell responses. Giving an IL-10 receptor blocking MAb together with unmodified gp120 in Alum increased the anti-gp120 IgG titer, implicating IL-10 as a possible mediator of auto-suppressive responses to gp120.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines / immunology*
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • CHO Cells
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • HIV Antibodies / blood
  • HIV Antibodies / immunology
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / chemistry
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV-1 / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Interleukin-10 / immunology
  • Mannose / metabolism*
  • Mannosidases / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Receptors, Interleukin-10 / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • HIV Antibodies
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-10
  • Mannosidases
  • Mannose