Role of cellular adhesion molecules in HIV type 1 infection and their impact on virus neutralization—Hioe 1998

HIV-1 infection involves other cell membrane proteins besides CD4 and many chemokine receptors. HIV-1 virions contain many host cell-derived membrane proteins, including adhesion molecules, depending on the cells employed to spread the virus. Leukocyte-function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and CD44, when expressed on the virion surface, increase virus-cell interaction, infectivity, and host cell range. Syncytium formation and HIV-1 cell-to-cell transmission require LFA-1 and ICAM ligands. Several studies show that the host cell-derived adhesion molecules on HIV-1 virions affect antibody-mediated virus neutralization and the type of host cells in which the virus was produced. HIV-1 neutralization by virus-specific antibodies also depends on target cell adhesion molecules. An anti-LFA-1 Mab that blocks LFA-1 functions enhances the neutralizing activity of HIV+ plasma and human anti-gp120 Mabs. Thus, LFA-1, ICAM-1, and other cellular adhesion molecules play a major role in HIV-1 infection and virus-specific antibody neutralization. These findings elucidate virus-cell interactions and impact HIV vaccine evaluation.

Hioe, C. E., Bastiani, L., Hildreth, J. E., & Zolla-Pazner, S. (1998). Role of cellular adhesion molecules in HIV type 1 infection and their impact on virus neutralization. AIDS research and human retroviruses, 14 Suppl 3, S247–S254.