Chemokine receptors and co-stimulatory molecules: unravelling feline immunodeficiency virus infection

Willett, B. J. and Hosie, M. J. (2008) Chemokine receptors and co-stimulatory molecules: unravelling feline immunodeficiency virus infection. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 123(1-2), pp. 56-64. (doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2008.01.012)

Abstract

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection of the domestic cat induces an immunodeficiency characterised by a gradual depletion of CD4+ T-helper lymphocytes. The virus targets T-helper cells by way of an interaction between its envelope glycoprotein (Env) and the cell surface molecule CD134 (OX40), a member of the nerve growth factor receptor/tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily. The Env-CD134 interaction is a necessary prerequisite for the subsequent interaction with CXCR4, the only chemokine receptor identified to date to act as a co-receptor for FIV. As T-helper cell expression of CD134 and CXCR4 is restricted to activated cells, FIV targets selectively antigen-specific T-helper cells. With disease progression the cell tropism of the virus expands; this may be the result of changes in the way in which Env interacts with CD134, a less stringent Env-CD134 interaction enabling the Env to interact more readily with CXCR4 and thus broadening the cell tropism of virus. In contrast, viruses that are present in early infection may have a narrower cell tropism, reflecting a more stringent interaction with CD134. Accordingly, "early" viruses may target CD134-expressing cells more efficiently and be more resistant to neutralising antibody. It is these early viruses that may be transmitted and should be considered as candidates for the development of vaccine regimes and novel therapeutic agents.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hosie, Professor Margaret and Willett, Professor Brian
• Authors: Willett, B. J., and Hosie, M. J.
• Subjects: Q Science > QL Zoology; Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR180 Immunology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Journal Name: Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
• Publisher: Elsevier BV
• ISSN: 0165-2427
• ISSN (Online): 1873-2534

Related URLs

• PubMed

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
36338	1	Rational Design of a Lentiviral Vaccine	Margaret Hosie	Medical Research Council (MRC)	G0300387	Centre for Virus Research