title: The immunosuppressive domain of the transmembrane envelope protein gp41 of HIV-1 binds to human monocytes and B cells.
abstract: The induction of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome by the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) is a complex process which is not yet understood in full detail. Still open is the question whether the highly conserved so-called immunosuppressive (Isu) domain in the transmembrane envelope (TM) protein gp41 of HIV-1 is actively participating in immunopathogenesis. Inactivated virus particles, recombinant gp41 and peptides corresponding to the Isu domain have been reported to inhibit lymphocyte proliferation, as well as to alter cytokine release and gene expression. Here we demonstrate, using fluorescence-activated cell sorting and competition experiments, that homopolymers of the Isu peptide of HIV-1 are binding specifically to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, mainly to monocytes and B cells. These data suggest that a putative receptor might be involved in the immunomodulatory effects observed previously.
authors.affiliation: Center for HIV and other Retroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13553, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mühle
authors.affiliation: Center for HIV and other Retroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13553, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kroniger
authors.affiliation: Division Regenerative Immunology and Aging, Berlin Center of Regenerative Therapies, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.affiliation: Center for HIV and other Retroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13553, Berlin, Germany. dennerj@rki.de.
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Denner
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D058105:Polymerization; D011485:Protein Binding; D000072417:Protein Domains / Q000235:genetics; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010455:Peptides; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic
keywords: HIV-1; Immunosuppression; PBMC subsets; TM; gp41