Hepatitis C virus glycoproteins interact with DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR

J Virol. 2003 Apr;77(7):4070-80. doi: 10.1128/jvi.77.7.4070-4080.2003.

Abstract

DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR are two closely related membrane-associated C-type lectins that bind human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope glycoprotein with high affinity. Binding of HIV to cells expressing DC-SIGN or DC-SIGNR can enhance the efficiency of infection of cells coexpressing the specific HIV receptors. DC-SIGN is expressed on some dendritic cells, while DC-SIGNR is localized to certain endothelial cell populations, including hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells. We found that soluble versions of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 glycoprotein and retrovirus pseudotypes expressing chimeric forms of both HCV E1 and E2 glycoproteins bound efficiently to DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR expressed on cell lines and primary human endothelial cells but not to other C-type lectins tested. Soluble E2 bound to immature and mature human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs). Binding of E2 to immature MDDCs was dependent on DC-SIGN interactions, while binding to mature MDDCs was partly independent of DC-SIGN, suggesting that other cell surface molecules may mediate HCV glycoprotein interactions. HCV interactions with DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR may contribute to the establishment or persistence of infection both by the capture and delivery of virus to the liver and by modulating dendritic cell function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Dendritic Cells / virology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Endothelium, Vascular / virology
  • HIV / genetics
  • HIV / metabolism
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepacivirus / metabolism*
  • Hepacivirus / pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Lectins / metabolism
  • Lectins, C-Type / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Solubility
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • CLEC4M protein, human
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • DC-specific ICAM-3 grabbing nonintegrin
  • E1 protein, Hepatitis C virus
  • Lectins
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • glycoprotein E2, Hepatitis C virus