Targeting host-derived glycans on enveloped viruses for antibody-based vaccine design

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135

The formation of a correctly folded and natively glycosylated HIV-1 viral spike is dependent on protease cleavage of the gp160 precursor protein in the Golgi apparatus. Cleavage induces a compact structure which not only renders the spike capable of fusion but also limits further maturation of its extensive glycosylation. The redirection of the glycosylation pathway to preserve underprocessed oligomannose-type glycans is an important feature in immunogen design, as glycans contribute to or influence the epitopes of numerous broadly neutralizing antibodies.Here we present a quantitative site-specific analysis of a recombinant, trimeric mimic of the native HIV-1 viral spike (BG505 SOSIP.664) compared to the corresponding uncleaved pseudotrimer and the matched gp120 monomer. We present a detailed molecular map of a trimer-associated glycan remodeling that forms a localized subdomain of the native mannose patch. The formation of native trimers is a critical design feature in shaping the glycan epitopes presented on recombinant vaccine candidates. IMPORTANCEThe envelope spike of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is a target for antibody-based neutralization. For some patients infected with HIV-1, highly potent antibodies have been isolated that can neutralize a wide range of circulating viruses. It is a goal of HIV-1 vaccine research to elicit these antibodies by immunization with recombinant mimics of the viral spike. These antibodies have evolved to recognize the dense array of glycans that coat the surface of the viral molecule. We show how the structure of these glycans is shaped by steric constraints imposed upon them by the native folding of the viral spike. This information is important in guiding the development of vaccine candidates.KEYWORDS furin, glycan, glycosylation, human immunodeficiency virus, neutralizing antibodies, oligosaccharides, structure, vaccines T he trimeric envelope (Env) glycoprotein spike of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) plays a crucial role in mediating host cell infection. Its exposed position on the virus surface also makes it the target for potent, broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) that are produced in a subset of infected individuals and that now influence the design of Env immunogens intended to induce similar antibody specificities. Env is extensively glycosylated, with glycans contributing to a significant proportion of the glycoprotein's mass (1). The heavily glycosylated surface of Env has been referred to as the "silent face," with the glycans acting to shield the underlying viral protein surface from immune surveillance (2-4). The glycan shield constantly evolves to protect the virus from newly produced neutralizing antibodies. However, compared to the highly diverse protein component of Env, many of the potential

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confidence: 99%

Molecular Architecture of the Cleavage-Dependent Mannose Patch on a Soluble HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein Trimer

Behrens

Harvey

Milne

et al. 2017

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135

“…The N-linked glycans on Env play important roles in correct protein folding, disease transmission through interaction with host receptors, and shielding conserved regions of the protein from the immune system. It is important to characterize the glycosylation of virion-associated gp120, as a large number of HIV-1 bnAbs are dependent on Env glycans for neutralization (2)(3)(4)(5)(6).…”

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confidence: 99%

Cell- and Protein-Directed Glycosylation of Native Cleaved HIV-1 Envelope

Pritchard

Harvey

Bonomelli

et al. 2015

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116

The gp120/gp41 HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) is highly glycosylated, with up to 50% of its mass consisting of N-linked glycans. This dense carbohydrate coat has emerged as a promising vaccine target, with its glycans acting as epitopes for a number of potent and broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). Characterizing the glycan structures present on native HIV-1 Env is thus a critical goal for the design of Env immunogens. In this study, we used a complementary, multistep approach involving ion mobility mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography to comprehensively characterize the glycan structures present on HIV-1 gp120 produced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The capacity of different expression systems, including pseudoviral particles and recombinant cell surface trimers, to reproduce native-like glycosylation was then assessed. A population of oligomannose glycans on gp120 was reproduced across all expression systems, supporting this as an intrinsic property of Env that can be targeted for vaccine design. In contrast, Env produced in HEK 293T cells failed to accurately reproduce the highly processed complex-type glycan structures observed on PBMC-derived gp120, and in particular the precise linkage of sialic acid residues that cap these glycans. Finally, we show that unlike for gp120, the glycans decorating gp41 are mostly complex-type sugars, consistent with the glycan specificity of bnAbs that target this region. These findings provide insights into the glycosylation of native and recombinant HIV-1 Env and can be used to inform strategies for immunogen design and preparation. IMPORTANCEDevelopment of an HIV vaccine is desperately needed to control new infections, and elicitation of HIV bnAbs will likely be an important component of an effective vaccine. Increasingly, HIV bnAbs are being identified that bind to the N-linked glycans coating the HIV envelope glycoproteins gp120 and gp41, highlighting them as important targets for vaccine design. It is therefore important to characterize the glycan structures present on native, virion-associated gp120 and gp41 for development of vaccines that accurately mimic native-Env glycosylation. In this study, we used a number of analytical techniques to precisely study the structures of both the oligomannose and complex-type glycans present on native Env to provide a reference for determining the ability of potential HIV immunogens to accurately replicate the glycosylation pattern on these native structures.T he HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) consists of a noncovalently linked trimer of gp120/gp41 heterodimers. Interaction of this trimer with CD4 and its subsequent rearrangement is essential for infection of target cells and therefore is the sole target for broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). The surface protein, gp120, is extensively modified with host-derived glycans, having a median of 25 potential N-linked glycosylation sites (PNGSs) (1) and thus making it one of the most densely glycosylated proteins known. The t...

“…Glycans play important roles in Env folding, viral assembly and infectivity, and modulating the immune response (10)(11)(12). Although glycans typically attenuate antigenicity by occluding polypeptide epitopes, several conserved glycans are actually targets for potent HIV-1 bNAbs (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18). Specific glycans within variable loops, within conserved C2-C4 regions, and within gp41 were found to affect HIV-1 sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies (12,15,19).…”

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confidence: 99%

Changes in Structure and Antigenicity of HIV-1 Env Trimers Resulting from Removal of a Conserved CD4 Binding Site-Proximal Glycan

Liang

Guttman

Williams

et al. 2016

The envelope glycoprotein (Env) is the major target for HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). One of the mechanisms that HIV has evolved to escape the host's immune response is to mask conserved epitopes on Env with dense glycosylation. Previous studies have shown that the removal of a particular conserved glycan at N197 increases the neutralization sensitivity of the virus to antibodies targeting the CD4 binding site (CD4bs), making it a site of significant interest from the perspective of vaccine design. At present, the structural consequences that result from the removal of the N197 glycan have not been characterized. Using native-like SOSIP trimers, we examine the effects on antigenicity and local structural dynamics resulting from the removal of this glycan. A large increase in the binding of CD4bs and V3-targeting antibodies is observed for the N197Q mutant in trimeric Env, while no changes are observed with monomeric gp120. While the overall structure and thermostability are not altered, a subtle increase in the flexibility of the variable loops at the trimeric interface of adjacent protomers is evident in the N197Q mutant by hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. Structural modeling of the glycan chains suggests that the spatial occupancy of the N197 glycan leads to steric clashes with CD4bs antibodies in the Env trimer but not monomeric gp120. Our results indicate that the removal of the N197 glycan enhances the exposure of relevant bNAb epitopes on Env with a minimal impact on the overall trimeric structure. These findings present a simple modification for enhancing trimeric Env immunogens in vaccines. IMPORTANCEThe HIV-1 Env glycoprotein presents a dense patchwork of host cell-derived N-linked glycans. This so-called glycan shield is considered to be a major protective mechanism against immune recognition. While the positions of many N-linked glycans are isolate specific, some are highly conserved and are believed to play key functional roles. In this study, we examine the conserved, CD4 binding site-proximal N197 glycan and demonstrate that its removal both facilitates neutralizing antibody access to the CD4 binding site and modestly impacts the structural dynamics at the trimer crown without drastically altering global Env trimer stability. This indicates that surgical glycosylation site modification may be an effective way of sculpting epitope presentation in Env-based vaccines.T he trimeric HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env), a trimer composed of gp120/gp41 heterodimers, is the primary antigenic feature on the virus and the sole target for neutralizing antibodies (1). Despite the extensive genetic diversity that exists among circulating HIV-1 variants, broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) capable of neutralizing a diverse panel of viral isolates have been identified in rare HIV-infected individuals. Elicitation of such bNAbs is thought to be a critical requirement for an effective HIV-1 vaccine (2, 3), but to date, HIV vaccine efforts have resulted in limited, narrow neu...