Systematic Synthesis and Binding Study of HIV V3 Glycopeptides Reveal the Fine Epitopes of Several Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies

ACS Chem Biol. 2017 Jun 16;12(6):1566-1575. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.7b00319. Epub 2017 Apr 28.

Abstract

A class of new glycan-reactive broadly neutralizing antibodies represented by PGT121, 10-1074, and PGT128 has recently been discovered that targets specific N-glycans and the peptide region around the V3 domain. However, the glycan specificity and fine epitopes of these bNAbs remain to be further defined. We report here a systematic chemoenzymatic synthesis of homogeneous V3 glycopeptides derived from the HIV-1 JR-FL strain carrying defined N-glycans at N332, N301, and N295 sites. Antibody binding studies revealed that both the nature and site of glycosylation in the context of the V3 domain were critical for high-affinity binding. It was found that antibody PGT128 exhibited specificity for high-mannose N-glycan with glycosylation site promiscuity, PGT121 showed binding specificity for glycopeptide carrying a sialylated N-glycan at N301 site, and 10-1074 was specific for glycopeptide carrying a high-mannose N-glycan at N332 site. The synthesis and binding studies permit a detailed assessment of the glycan specificity and the requirement of peptide in the context of antibody-antigen recognition. The identified glycopeptides can be used as potential templates for HIV vaccine design.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / biosynthesis
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology*
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex / chemistry
  • Binding Sites, Antibody / immunology
  • Epitopes / immunology*
  • Glycopeptides / chemical synthesis
  • Glycopeptides / immunology
  • Glycosylation
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology*
  • Polysaccharides

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex
  • Epitopes
  • Glycopeptides
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • HIV envelope protein gp120 (305-321)
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Polysaccharides