N36, a synthetic N-terminal heptad repeat domain of the HIV-1 envelope protein gp41, is an activator of human phagocytes

Yingying Le, Shibo Jiang, Jinyue Hu, Wanghua Gong, Shaobo Su, Nancy M. Dunlop, Weiping Shen, Baoqun Li, Ji Ming Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope protein gp41 mediates viral fusion with human host cells. In this study we show that N36, a synthetic peptide derived from the N-terminus of gp41, induced directional migration and calcium mobilization in human monocytes and neutrophils. The activity of N36 on phagocytes was pertussis toxin sensitive, suggesting involvement of a Gi-coupled seven-transmembrane receptor(s). Since high concentrations of the bacterial chemotactic peptide fMet-Leu-Phe (fMLF) partially desensitized the calcium mobilizing activity of N36 in phagocytes, we postulated that N36 might use a low-affinity fMLF receptor. By using cells stably expressing fMLF receptor FPR or FPRL1, we demonstrate that N36 uses FPRL1 as a functional receptor. Our results suggest that HIV-1 gp41 may contain a fragment(s) that activates the innate host immune cells through FPRL1. Since the activation of FPRL1 in monocytes has been shown to heterologously desensitize chemokine receptors, the reduced phagocyte response to chemoattractants seen in AIDS patients may be attributed, at least in part, to heterologous desensitization. (C) 2000 Academic Press.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)236-242
Number of pages7
JournalClinical Immunology
Volume96
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Chemoattractant receptor
  • HIV-1 gp 41
  • N36 peptide
  • Phagocyte

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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