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Postbinding functions of CD4 in HIV infection

R E Bachelder1, N L Letvin

  • 1Dept of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA. rbacheld@bih.harvard.edu

Trends in Microbiology
|September 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

The CD4 molecule is key for HIV entry and may also play a role after the virus binds. Research suggests its shape change on T-cells after HIV attachment is important for infection progression.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The CD4 molecule is the primary receptor for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) on T-cells.
  • Emerging evidence suggests CD4's role extends beyond initial viral binding.
  • Understanding CD4's function in postbinding events is crucial for HIV pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential involvement of the CD4 molecule in postbinding events during HIV infection.
  • To explore the functional significance of CD4 conformational changes after HIV attachment.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of T-cell surface interactions with HIV.
  • Conformational analysis of the CD4 molecule post-HIV binding.

Main Results:

  • HIV binding induces a conformational alteration in the CD4 molecule on the T-cell surface.
  • This CD4 shape change is implicated in subsequent stages of HIV infection.

Conclusions:

  • The CD4 molecule's role in HIV infection is multifaceted, involving both initial receptor function and postbinding processes.
  • Conformational changes in CD4 following HIV attachment are critical for viral postentry events and infection.

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