Molecular cloning of a new secreted sulfated mucin-like protein with a C-type lectin domain that is expressed in lymphoblastic cells.

We have previously demonstrated hyposialylation of the two major CD45 and leukosialin (CD43) molecules at the surface of latently human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected CEM T cells (CEMLAI/NP), (Lefebvre, J. C., Giordanengo, V., Doglio, A., Cagnon, L., Breittmayer, J. P., Peyron, J. F., and Lesimple, J. (1994) Virology 199, 265-274; Lefebvre, J. C., Giordanengo, V., Limouse, M., Doglio, A., Cucchiarini, M., Monpoux, F., Mariani, R., and Peyron, J. F. (1994) J. Exp. Med. 180, 1609-1617). Searching to clarify mechanism(s) of hyposialylation, we observed two sulfated secreted glycoproteins (molecular mass approximately 47 and approximately 40 kDa) (P47 and P40), which were differentially sulfated and/or differentially secreted in the culture supernatants of CEMLAI/NP cells when compared with parental CEM cells. A hybridoma clone (7H1) resulting from the fusion between CEMLAI/NP and human embryonic fibroblasts MRC5 cells produced very large amounts of P47 that was purified using Jacalin lectin (specific for O-glycans) and microsequenced. Cloning of P47 was achieved using a CEMLAI/NP cDNA library screened with a degenerate oligonucleotide probe based on its NH2-terminal amino acid sequence. A single open reading frame encoding a protein of 323 amino acids was deduced from the longest isolated recombinant (1.4 kilobase). P47 is a secreted sulfated protein. It carries an NH2-terminal RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) triplet, a striking alpha-helical leucine zipper composed of six heptads, and a C-terminal C-type lectin domain. The NH2-terminal portion is rich in glutamic acids with a predicted pI of 3.9. In addition, a hinge region with numerous condensed potential sites for O-glycan side chains, which are also the most likely sulfation sites, is located between the RGD and leucine zipper domains. Transcripts were detected in lymphoid tissues (notably bone marrow) and abundantly in T and B lymphoblastoid but very faintly in monocytoid cell lines.

Alteration of CD44 expression in HIV type 1-infected T cell lines.

CD44 is known to interfere in HIV replication and to participate in many physiological processes such as lymphocyte binding to high endothelial venules of lymphoid tissue, lymph nodes, and mucosal endothelium. The T cell lines MOLT-4 and CEM, and CEM subclones were infected with the HIV-1 LAI strain and monitored for the expression of CD44 during the course of chronic virus production until the infected cells were at the stage of latent infection. The levels of CD44 protein expression were quantified using cell surface immunostaining and biotinylation. The maturation of CD44 molecules was evaluated by metabolic sulforadiolabeling and CD44 mRNA was visualized by Northern blot analysis. We show a downmodulation of CD44 expression in infected T cell lines and subclones. This phenomenon was most evident at the stage of latent infection. Then, CD44 molecules were undetectable at both the protein and mRNA levels in latently infected CEM cells and CEM subclones. In addition, the 97-kDa standard CD44 isoform showed a shift upward, while detectable during the stage of chronic virus production. In latently infected MOLT-4 cells, the CD44 protein levels were dramatically decreased; CD44 mRNA was detected, but the sizes differed from the mRNA in uninfected cells. Since CD44 is known to regulate in part lymphocyte homing and HIV replication, the alterations that were observed in the expression of this molecule could interfere with the particular homing of HIV-infected cells and/or viral latency.

Altered sialylation of CD45 in HIV-1-infected T lymphocytes.

Immunodeficiency caused by HIV infection probably results from profound dysregulation of normal T lymphocyte properties by the virus. Despite description of the virus cytopathicity and numerous modifications in T cell functions, such as perturbation of antigen receptor signaling, CD4 downregulation, and induction of apoptosis, the precise mechanisms underlying the disruption of normal immune responses have not yet been elucidated. In the present study, we show that HIV-1-infected lymphocytes of the CEM cell line (either latent or virus-producing) and HIV-1-infected CD4+ lymphocytes have several membrane proteins with altered glycosylation patterns. Using lectins with specificity for different carbohydrate moieties, we could demonstrate the presence of two exposed nonsialylated disaccharides: a terminal Gal beta 1-->3GalNAc and a terminal Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc. In particular, CD45, one of the major T cell glycoproteins, appeared to be partially sialylated on N- and O-linked carbohydrate moieties. Concerning the latter, PNA lectin which recognizes nonsialylated terminal Gal beta 1-->3GalNAc might precipitate up to 75% of the total tyrosine phosphatase activity displayed by CD45 molecules from one latently HIV-1-infected CEM cell line. Since CD45 glycoproteins are thought to play an important regulatory role in cell-to-cell interactions owing to their variable extracellular region and because they may regulate membrane signaling through their intracellular phosphatase domains, we suggest that these altered CD45 molecules may present an abnormal signal for natural ligands such as the B-cell-specific surface receptor CD22, thus perturbing the normal immune response in HIV-1-infected individuals.