title: HIV-1 incorporates ABO histo-blood group antigens that sensitize virions to complement-mediated inactivation.
abstract: ABO histo-blood group antigens have been postulated to modify pathogen spread through the action of natural antibodies and complement. The antigens are generated by a polymorphic glycosyl-transferase encoded by 2 dominant active and a recessive inactive allele. In this study we investigated whether ABO sugars are incorporated into the envelope of HIV-1 virions. HIV vectors derived from cells expressing ABO antigens displayed sensitivity to fresh human serum analogous to ABO incompatibility, and ABO histo-blood group sugars were detected on the viral envelope protein, glycoprotein 120 (gp120). Moreover, lymphocyte-derived virus also displayed serum sensitivity, reflecting the ABO phenotype of the host when cultured in autologous serum due to adsorption of antigens to cell surfaces. Serum sensitivity required both active complement and specific anti-ABO antibodies. Thus, incorporation of ABO antigens by HIV-1 may affect transmission of virus between individuals of discordant blood groups by interaction with host natural antibody and complement.
authors.affiliation: Wohl Virion Centre, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Stuart J D
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Neil
authors.forename: Aine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McKnight
authors.forename: Kenth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gustafsson
authors.forename: Robin A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000483:Alleles; D001789:Blood Group Antigens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002460:Cell Line; D002469:Cell Separation; D003167:Complement Activation; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics; D016695:Glycosyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000378:metabolism; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000378:metabolism; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000737:chemistry; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014771:Virion
chemical_list: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D016695:Glycosyltransferases