title: Specific enfuvirtide-associated mutational pathways in HIV-1 Gp41 are significantly correlated with an increase in CD4(+) cell count, despite virological failure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp41 is a crucial determinant for HIV-1 pathogenicity. We investigated the correlation of enfuvirtide (ENF)-associated gp41 mutational clusters with viroimmunological parameters, as well as the potential underlying mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 172 gp41 sequences and clinical follow-up data from 73 ENF-treated patients were analyzed monthly, from baseline to week 48.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 7 novel gp41 mutations positively associated with ENF treatment and correlated with classic ENF mutations. The ENF-associated clusters [V38A + N140I ] and [V 38A +T18A ] significantly correlated with an increase in CD4 cell count at week 48 ( an increase from baseline of 112 and 209 cells/microL, respectively), whereas [Q40H + L45M + 268A] significantly correlated with a decrease in CD4 cell count (-53 cells/microL), without a change in the level of viremia. Residues 38 and 18 are located complementarily to each other in the Rev-responsive element, whereas analysis of molecular dynamics showed that the copresence of [V38A + N140 I] abolishes the interaction between residue 38 and 145 important for stabilization of the 6-helix bundle. In contrast, T268A localizes in the gp41 calmodulin-binding domain responsible for gp41-induced CD4(+) T lymphocyte apoptosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Specific gp41 mutational clusters associated with ENF treatment significantly correlate with increases in CD4(+) cell count. Structural analysis suggests that this immunological gain is associated with mechanisms that act at both the protein level and the RNA level (even under conditions of virological failure). This result may help in the selection of patients who can benefit most from ENF treatment and represents a driving force for the design of the next generation of entry inhibitors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Tor Vergata Rome, Italy. valentina.svicher@uniroma2.it
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Svicher
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aquaro
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: D'Arrigo
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Artese
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dimonte
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alcaro
authors.forename: Maria Mercedes
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Perri
authors.forename: Sergio Lo
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Caputo
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bellagamba
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaccarelli
authors.forename: Ubaldo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Visco-Comandini
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antinori
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Narciso
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ceccherini-Silberstein
authors.forename: Carlo-Federico
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Perno
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D000077560:Enfuvirtide; D005260:Female; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008958:Models, Molecular; D020125:Mutation, Missense / Q000276:immunology*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019562:Viral Load; D014766:Viremia
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D000077560:Enfuvirtide