Influence of fibronectin on HIV-1 infection and capability of binding to platelets

We have previously demonstrated that fibronectin (FN) can bind HIV-1 envelope proteins, in particular gp 120. The aim of the present study was to determine some biological effects of this phenomenon. Pretreating HIV-1 with human FN increased the infectivity of HIV-1, when a low concentration of the virus was used. In contrast, an RGD-containing pentapeptide (Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser), which is a fundamental binding site of FN, reduced the infectivity of a suspension of HIV-1 at high concentrations of the virus. It is likely that FN bridges the cell surface and the virions, while the RGD-containing pentapeptide may saturate the HIV-1 binding sites for cell surface receptors. Moreover, gp 120 was bound to the FN present on the surface of platelets. The specificity of this binding was confirmed by the inhibition obtained by pretreating platelets with anti-FN antibodies. The consequence of the surface modifications of the platelets could explain the thrombocytopenia that frequently occurs in patients infected with HIV and suggests also the possibility that platelets could be a vehicle for the virus in the circulation.