Decrease of Lewis frequency in HIV-infected patients: possible competition of fucosylated antigens with HIV for binding to DC-SIGN

Authors:
Puissant B, Roubinet F, Dellacasagrande J, Massip P, Abbal M, Pasquier C, Izopet J, Blancher A
In:
Source: AIDS
Publication Date: (2005)
Issue: 19(6): 627-30
Research Area:
Immunotherapy / Hematology
Cells used in publication:
Jurkat
Species: human
Tissue Origin: blood
Jurkat-modified
Species: human
Tissue Origin:
Platform:
Nucleofector® I/II/2b
Abstract
We explored the impact of human ABO glycosyltransferase and Lewis and secretor fucosyltransferase polymorphisms in HIV infection. We found that, compared with healthy blood donors, HIV-infected patients display a significant decrease in Le(a-b+) phenotype frequencies. We showed that HIV binding on DC-SIGN-transduced Jurkat cells was inhibited by fucosyl bovine serum albumin. Our results suggest a slight protective effect of Lewis b antigen on HIV infection, possibly by the competition of Lewis antigens with HIV for binding to DC-SIGN.