Host glycocalyx captures HIV proximal to the cell surface via oligomannose-GlcNAc glycan-glycan interactions to support viral entry

Authors:

• Spillings, Belinda L.
• Day, Christopher J.
• Garcia-Minambres, Albert
• Aggarwal, Anupriya
• Condon, Nicholas D.
• Haselhorst, Thomas
• Purcell, Damian F.J.
• Turville, Stuart G.
• Stow, Jennifer L.
• Jennings, Michael P.
• Mak, Johnson

Details:

Cell Reports, Volume 38, Issue 5, 2022-02-01

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Here, we present ultrastructural analyses showing that incoming HIV are captured near the lymphocyte surface in a virion-glycan-dependent manner. Biophysical analyses show that removal of either virion- or cell-associated N-glycans impairs virus-cell binding, and a similar glycan-dependent relationship is observed between purified HIV envelope (Env) and primary T cells. Trimming of N-glycans from either HIV or Env does not inhibit protein-protein interactions. Glycan arrays reveal HIV preferentially binds to N-acetylglucosamine and mannose. Interfering with these glycan-based interactions reduces HIV infectivity. These glycan interactions are distinct from previously reported glycan-lectin and non-specific electrostatic charge-based interactions. Specific glycan-glycan-mediated attachment occurs prior to virus entry and enhances efficiency of infection. Binding and fluorescent imaging data support glycan-glycan interactions as being responsible, at least in part, for initiating contact between HIV and the host cell, prior to viral Env-cellular CD4 engagement.