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Characterisation of a persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection lasting more than 750 days in a person living with HIV: a genomic analysis.

BACKGROUND: People who are immunocompromised can develop persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections. Several viral mutations accumulated during the course of such persistent infections have also been observed in prominent variants of concern (VOCs). Here, we characterise persistent infection and viral evolution of SARS-CoV-2 lasting more than 750 days in a person with advanced HIV-1 infection. METHODS: Between March, 2021, and July, 2022, eight clinical specimens were collected from a person living with HIV, neither receiving antiretroviral therapy nor virally suppressed, and presumed to have been initially infected with SARS-CoV-2 in mid-May, 2020. Viral RNA was extracted from each swab and an amplicon-based sequencing approach was used for genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2. Variable sites were characterised at the consensus and subconsensus levels, and phylogenetic tools were applied to analyse viral evolution. Publicly available SARS-CoV-2 sequences from GenBank were leveraged to contextualise our sequenced samples and identify any potential evidence of transmission. FINDINGS: Genomes formed a monophyletic cluster in the B.1 lineage. 68 consensus and 67 subconsensus single nucleotide variants were observed over the course of infection. The intrahost clock rate remained similar to that of the interhost rate in contemporaneous community sequences (6·74 × 10-4 [95% credible interval 5·05 × 10-4 to 8·54 × 10-4] substitutions per site per year vs 6·11 × 10-4 [5·54 × 10-5 to 6·66 × 10-4]). Mutations grouped into two distinct subpopulations present throughout infection. 10 non-synonymous mutations in the spike protein gene were at positions in common with those defining the omicron lineage (BA.1 or BA.2), of which nine were present before November, 2021. Nine of 18 substitutions present throughout infection were rare in online databases, suggesting a lack of long transmission chains descending from this individual. INTERPRETATION: Convergent SARS-CoV-2 evolution, both in and outside the spike protein, observed in this study suggests parallels with the evolutionary process leading to emergence of the omicron VOC. The inferred absence of onward infections might indicate a loss of transmissibility during adaptation to a single host. Our results underscore the importance of appropriate treatment to cure persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections and monitoring them to understand how mutations contribute to viral adaptation. FUNDING: National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, MassCPR, and Morris Singer Foundation.

Humans↗

Characterization of an in vitro-selected RNA ligand to the HIV-1 Rev protein.

A small RNA ligand with high affinity for the HIV-1 Rev protein, generated by the SELEX in vitro evolution method, was used in a series of chemical modification studies to aid in determining the secondary structure of the ligand, to detect which modifications interfere with the binding of the ligand to Rev, and to find those modifiable groups that are protected from attack when bound to the Rev protein. This SELEX RNA ligand, like the high-affinity binding site of the Rev-responsive element, seems to bind the Rev protein within or along the major groove. There are two major regions of the RNA that interact with the Rev protein, and these regions appear to be close in space. Additionally, this high-affinity ligand has been used as the basis for an additional "biased randomization" SELEX procedure, in an effort to gain comprehensive information on the RNA sequences and structural elements necessary for efficient binding to the Rev protein. This complementary experimental approach supports the structural conclusions of our chemical modification data.

Base Composition↗

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and nucleoside analogue therapy in AIDS.

Preliminary preclinical and clinical data suggest that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) may decrease viral replication. Therefore, 105 individuals with AIDS who were receiving nucleoside analogue therapy were enrolled in a placebo-controlled, double-blind study and were randomized to receive either 125 microgram/m(2) of yeast-derived, GM-CSF (sargramostim) or placebo subcutaneously twice weekly for 6 months. Subjects were evaluated for toxicity and disease progression. A significant decrease in mean virus load (VL) was observed for the GM-CSF treatment group at 6 months (-0.07 log(10) vs. -0.60 log(10); P=.02). More subjects achieved human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-RNA levels <500 copies/mL at >/=2 evaluations (2% on placebo vs. 11% on GM-CSF; P=.04). Genotypic analysis of 46 subjects demonstrated a lower frequency of zidovudine-resistant mutations among those receiving GM-CSF (80% vs. 50%; P=.04). No difference was observed in the incidence of opportunistic infections (OIs) through 6 months or survival, despite a higher risk for OI among GM-CSF recipients. GM-CSF reduced VL and limited the evolution of zidovudine-resistant genotypes, potentially providing adjunctive therapy in HIV disease.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Genetic characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Tat before and after highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Two HIV-infected individuals were followed for changes in the first exon of Tat. Plasma virus collected at 2 months after commencement of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was compared with the virus collected before initiation of HAART. This short-term therapy significantly reduced the plasma viral burden and also helped modest CD4 recovery in the blood. One of the two individuals (ACG) showed only one form of the Tat before commencement of HAART whereas five different forms (including a form identical to the pre-HAART sample) were found in the post-HAART sample. Some of the post-HAART clones showed a difference of 12.8% suggesting that the source of virus replication might be a reservoir. In the other patients multiple variants of the virus were found within each time point and also between two time points. This patient also showed a debilitating mutation (25-C/R) in three clones suggesting that some of the post-HAART viral forms were not viable in this patient. The dS/dN ratios in the patients were >2 suggesting lack of positive selection.

Adult↗

Prevalence and predictive value of intermittent viremia with combination hiv therapy.

CONTEXT: In HIV-infected patients having virologic suppression (plasma HIV RNA <50 copies/mL) with antiretroviral therapy, intermittent episodes of low-level viremia have been correlated with slower decay rates of latently infected cells and increased levels of viral evolution, but the clinical significance of these episodes is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine if HIV-infected patients with intermittent viremia have a higher risk of virologic failure (confirmed HIV RNA >200 copies/mL). DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective analysis of subjects in well-characterized cohorts, the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) 343 trial of induction-maintenance therapy (August 1997 to November 1998) and the Merck 035 trial (ongoing since March 1995). PATIENTS: Two hundred forty-one ACTG 343 patients, of whom 101 received triple-drug therapy throughout the study, and a small group of 13 patients from Merck 035 having virologic suppression after 6 months of indinavir-zidovudine-lamivudine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Association of intermittent viremia (plasma HIV RNA >50 copies/mL with a subsequent measure <50 copies/mL) with virologic failure (2 consecutive plasma HIV RNA measures >200 copies/mL) in both study groups; evidence of drug resistance in 7 patients from the small (n = 13) study group with long-term follow-up. RESULTS: Intermittent viremia occurred in 96 (40%) of the 241 ACTG 343 patients of whom 32 (13%) had 2 consecutive HIV RNA values >50 copies/mL during the median 84 weeks of observation (median duration of observation after first intermittent viremia episode was 46 weeks). Of the 101 individuals receiving triple-drug therapy throughout, 29% had intermittent viremia; the proportion of episodes occurring during the maintenance period was 64% for the entire cohort and 68% for the group not receiving triple-drug therapy throughout vs 55% for those who did (P =.25). Intermittent viremia did not predict virologic failure: 10 (10.4%) of 96 patients with and 20 (13.8%) of 145 patients without intermittent viremia had virologic failure (relative risk, 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-1.72). In a Cox proportional hazards model, the risk for virologic failure was not significantly greater in the ACTG 343 patients with intermittent viremia (hazard ratio, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.59-2.79). Median viral load in 10 ACTG 343 patients assessed between 24 and 60 weeks of therapy using an ultrasensitive 2.5-copies/mL detection level assay was 23 copies/mL in those with intermittent viremia vs <2.5 copies/mL in those without (P =.15). Intermittent viremia occurred in 6 of 13 patients from the small study group assessed after 76 to 260 weeks of therapy (using the 2.5-copies/mL detection level assay) and was associated with a higher steady state of viral replication (P =.03), but not virologic failure over 4.5 years of observation. Viral DNA sequences from 7 patients did not show evolution of drug resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Intermittent viremia occurred frequently and was associated with higher levels of replication (Merck 035), but was not associated with virologic failure in patients receiving initial combination therapy of indinavir-zidovudine-lamivudine (ACTG 343 and Merck 035). In this population, treatment changes may not be necessary to maintain long-term virologic suppression with low-level or intermittent viremia.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Use of a gp120 binding assay to dissect the requirements and kinetics of human immunodeficiency virus fusion events.

Binding of the extracellular subunit of human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV-1) envelope (Env) glycoprotein (gp120) to CD4 triggers the induction or exposure of a highly conserved coreceptor binding site in gp120 that helps mediate membrane fusion. Characterizing the structural features involved in gp120-coreceptor binding and the conditions under which binding occurs is important for understanding the fusion process, the evolution of pathogenic strains in vivo, the identification of novel anti-HIV compounds, and the development of HIV vaccines that utilize triggered structures of Env. Here we use the kinetics of interaction between CCR5 and gp120 to understand temporal and structural changes that occur during viral fusion. Using saturation binding and homologous competition analysis, we estimated the K(d) of interaction between CCR5 and gp120 from the macrophage tropic HIV-1 strain JRFL to be 4 nM. Unlike Env-mediated fusion, gp120 binding to CCR5 did not require divalent cations or elevated temperatures. Binding was not significantly affected by the pH of binding, G-protein coupling of CCR5, or partial gp120 deglycosylation. Oligomeric, uncleaved JRFL gp140 failed to bind CCR5 despite its ability to bind CD4 and monoclonal antibody 17b, suggesting that the uncleaved ectodomain of gp41 interferes with full exposure of the chemokine receptor binding site. Exposure of the chemokine receptor binding site on gp120 could be induced rapidly by CD4, but exposure of this site was lost upon CD4 dissociation from gp120, indicating that the conformational changes in gp120 induced by CD4 binding are fully reversible. The functional gp120-soluble CD4 complex was remarkably stable over time and temperature ranges, offering the possibility that complexes in which the highly conserved coreceptor binding site in gp120 is exposed can be used for vaccine development.

Animals↗

pol gene sequence variation in Swedish HIV-2 patients failing antiretroviral therapy.

There is limited knowledge about how to treat and interpret results from genotypic resistance assays in HIV-2 infection. Here, genetic variation in HIV-2 pol gene was studied in 20 of 23 known HIV-2 cases in Sweden. Five patients with signs of virological treatment failure were longitudinally studied. Clinical, virological and immunological data were collected and the protease (PR) and first half of the reverse transcriptase (RT) was amplified and directly sequenced from plasma samples. Moderate to extensive genetic evolution was observed in four of the five patients who failed treatment. Some mutations occurred at positions known to confer resistance in HIV-1, but many occurred at other positions in PR and RT. All patients had been treated with zidovudine alone or in combination with other antiretroviral drugs, but none displayed a mutation at position 215, which is the primary zidovudine resistance site in HIV-1. Instead, a E219D mutation evolved in virus from two patients and a Q151M mutation evolved in two other patients. A M184V mutation indicative of lamivudine resistance was detected in three patients. The virus of one patient who had been treated with ritonavir, nelfinavir, and lopinavir successively acquired nine unusual mutations in the protease gene, most of which are not considered primary or secondary resistance mutations in HIV-1. Our data indicate that the evolutionary pathways that lead to antiretroviral resistance in HIV-2 and HIV-1 exhibit both similarities and differences. Genotypic HIV-2 resistance assays cannot be interpreted using algorithms developed for HIV-1, instead new algorithms specific for HIV-2 have to be developed.

Adolescent↗

The potential significance of adaptive evolution and dimerization in chimpanzee intercellular cell adhesion molecules (ICAMs).

Cell adhesion molecules are involved in a diverse array of cellular processes. Recent data suggests that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) co-opts their functions, in particular the properties of the intercellular cell adhesion molecules (ICAMs), to enhance viral infection and transmission. To investigate mechanisms that may underlie the non-progression that occurs in immunodeficiency virus-infected chimpanzees, we amplified the protein coding regions of multiple non-human primate ICAMs 1-5 and two ICAM ligands, leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) and macrophage antigen 1 (Mac-1). We then employed a phylogenetic tree-based approach to comparative genomics, in order to screen for the presence of adaptive changes. Strong Darwinian positive selection in chimpanzee ICAMs 1, 2 and 3 was observed, most markedly in domains that are critical for the integrity and maintenance of ICAM-1 dimerization. As binding of ligands, including the attachment of virions, is influenced by the state of ICAM 1 dimerization, chimpanzee ICAMs may have evolved to modulate their own dimerization. In concert with previous evidence suggesting an ancient retroviral pandemic as a prominent selective force in chimpanzee evolution, adaptation of chimpanzee ICAMs may have effected a mechanism that explains the lack of immunosuppression observed following HIV-1 or simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVcpz) infection.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Evolution and virulence of primate lentiviruses].

While the AIDS epidemic caused by human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) has resulted in the death of over 20 million people worldwide, simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection, found in numerous African primate species, does not induce disease symptoms. The factors accounting for this difference between humans and natural host of SIV remain poorly understood. The entangled nature of the host/virus relationship could be the answer, rather than independent virus or host factors. Such a relationship is as a consequence of host/virus adaptation which has evolved over long periods in naturally infected primate species.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 env evolves toward ancestral states upon transmission to a new host.

Selecting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) sequences for inclusion within vaccines has been a difficult problem, as circulating HIV strains evolve relentlessly and become increasingly divergent over time. We report an assessment of this divergence from three perspectives: (i) across different hosts as a function of time of infection, (ii) between donors and recipients in known transmission pairs, and (iii) within individual hosts over time in relation to the initially replicating virus and to the deduced ancestral sequence of the intrahost viral population. Surprisingly, we consistently found less divergence between viruses from different individuals sampled in primary infection than in individuals sampled at more advanced stages of illness. Furthermore, longitudinal analysis of intrahost divergence revealed a 2- to 3-year period of evolution toward a common ancestral sequence at the start of infection, indicating that HIV recovers certain ancestral features when infecting a new host. These results have important implications for the study of HIV population genetics and rational vaccine design, including favoring the inclusion of viral gene sequences taken early in infection.

Evolution, Molecular↗

Cytopathicity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 primary isolates depends on coreceptor usage and not patient disease status.

It has been hypothesized that human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) evolves toward increased cytopathicity in conjunction with disease progression in infected patients. A viral property known to evolve in some but not all patients is coreceptor utilization, and it has been shown that a switch in coreceptor utilization is sufficient for the development of increased cytopathicity. To test the hypothesis that the evolution of other viral properties also contributes to accelerating cytopathicity in vivo, we used human lymphoid tissue explants to assay the cytopathicity of a panel of primary HIV-1 isolates derived from various stages of disease characterized by the presence or absence of changes in coreceptor preference. We found no evidence of coreceptor-independent increases in cytopathicity in isolates obtained either before coreceptor preference changes or from patients who progressed to AIDS despite an absence of coreceptor evolution. Instead, the cytopathicity of all HIV-1 isolates was determined solely by their coreceptor utilization. These results argue that HIV-1 does not evolve toward increased cytopathicity independently of changes in coreceptor utilization.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗

Evolutionary and immunological implications of contemporary HIV-1 variation.

Evolutionary modelling studies indicate less than a century has passed since the most recent common ancestor of the HIV-1 pandemic strains and, in that time frame, an extraordinarily diverse viral population has developed. HIV-1 employs a multitude of schemes to generate variants: accumulation of base substitutions, insertions and deletions, addition and loss of glycosylation sites in the envelope protein, and recombination. A comparison between HIV and influenza virus illustrates the extraordinary scale of HIV variation, and underscores the importance of exploring innovative HIV vaccine strategies. Deeper understanding of the implications of variation for both antibody and T-cell responses may help in the effort to rationally design vaccines that stimulate broad cross-reactivity. The impact of HIV-1 variation on host immune response is reviewed in this context.

AIDS Vaccines↗

Demographic history of HIV-1 subtypes B and F in Brazil.

The reconstruction of the epidemic history of several HIV populations, by using methods that infer the population history from sampled gene sequence data, has revealed important subtype-specific and regional-specific differences in patterns of epidemic growth. Here, we employ Bayesian coalescent-based methods to compare the population history of the HIV-1 subtype B and F1 epidemics in Brazil from non-contemporary env and pol gene sequences. Our results suggest that after the introduction of the subtypes B and F1 into Brazilian population, around mid to late 1960s and late 1970s, respectively, these subtypes experienced an initial period of exponential growth with similar epidemic growth rates ( approximately 0.5-0.6year(-1)). Later, the spreading rate of both subtypes seems to have slowed-down since mid to late 1980s. This demographic pattern is very similar to that reported for the subtype B epidemics in high-income countries where HIV was initially transmitted through homosexual intercourse and injecting drug use, as in Brazil; suggesting that the characteristics of transmission networks may be a key determinant of the HIV epidemic growth pattern. It is important to note that most of the subtype B and F1 sequences used in this study come from the Southeast region that has been the most affected by the AIDS epidemic in Brazil, being responsible for around 63% of all AIDS cases reported since the early eighties; but may not represent the demographic trend of the HIV-1 epidemic in other Brazilian regions.

Bayes Theorem↗

Genetic analyses reveal structured HIV-1 populations in serially sampled T lymphocytes of patients receiving HAART.

HIV-1 infection and compartmentalization in diverse leukocyte targets significantly contribute to viral persistence during suppressive highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Longitudinal analyses were performed on envelope sequences of HIV-1 populations from plasma, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in 14 patients receiving HAART and 1 therapy-naive individual. Phylogenetic reconstructions and analysis of molecular variance revealed that HIV-1 populations in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells remained compartmentalized over time in most individuals. Analyses of viral genetic variation demonstrated that, despite compartmentalization remaining over time, viral subpopulations tended not to persist and evolve but instead broke down and became reconstituted by new founder viruses. Due to the profound impact of HAART on viral evolution, it was difficult to discern whether these dynamics were ongoing during treatment or predominantly established prior to the commencement of therapy. The genetic structure and viral founder effects observed in serially sampled T lymphocyte populations supported a scenario of metapopulation dynamics in the tissue(s) where different leukocytes become infected, a factor likely to contribute to the highly variable way that drug resistance evolves in different individuals during HAART.

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active↗

HIV-1 replication cycle.

The HIV-1 is a formidable pathogen with establishment of a persistent infection based on the ability to integrate the proviral genome into chronically infected cells, and by the rapid evolution made possible by a high mutation rate and frequent recombination during the viral replication. HIV-1 has a variety of novel genes that facilitate viral persistence and regulation of HIV replication, but this virus also usurps cellular machinery for HIV replication, particularly during gene expression and virion assembly and budding. Recent success with antiretroviral therapy may be limited by the emergence HIV drug resistance and by toxicities and other requirements for successful long-term therapy. Further investigation of HIV-1 replication may allow identification of novel targets of antiretroviral therapy that may allow continued virus suppression in patients of failing current regiments, particularly drugs that target HIV-1 entry and HIV-1 integration.

Animals↗

Ancient and modern retroviruses.

Retroviruses are transmitted in two distinct ways: as infectious particles and as 'endogenous' proviral DNA integrated in the germ line of the host. Modern infectious viruses such as HIV-1 and HIV-2 recently infected mankind from chimpanzee and simian hosts, whereas human endogenous retroviral genomes have been present throughout old world primate evolution. Human T-cell leukemia viruses (HTLV-1 and II) have a much older human provenance than HIV, although new zoonoses from simians may also occur. We have recently characterized new retroviruses in pigs and humans. Porcine endogenous retroviral (PERV) genomes are carried in chromosomal DNA but can be activated to produce virions that are infectious for human cells, which has raised concern over human xenotransplantation using pig tissues. Human retrovirus 5 (HRV-5) is detected as an exogenous genome in association with arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Animals↗

The orphan seven-transmembrane receptor apj supports the entry of primary T-cell-line-tropic and dualtropic human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) enters target cells by sequential binding to CD4 and specific seven-transmembrane-segment (7TMS) coreceptors. Viruses use the chemokine receptor CCR5 as a coreceptor in the early, asymptomatic stages of HIV-1 infection but can adapt to the use of other receptors such as CXCR4 and CCR3 as the infection proceeds. Here we identify one such coreceptor, Apj, which supported the efficient entry of several primary T-cell-line tropic (T-tropic) and dualtropic HIV-1 isolates and the simian immunodeficiency virus SIVmac316. Another 7TMS protein, CCR9, supported the less efficient entry of one primary T-tropic isolate. mRNAs for both receptors were present in phytohemagglutinin- and interleukin-2-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Apj and CCR9 share with other coreceptors for HIV-1 and SIV an N-terminal region rich in aromatic and acidic residues. These results highlight properties common to 7TMS proteins that can function as HIV-1 coreceptors, and they may contribute to an understanding of viral evolution in infected individuals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Evolutionary dynamics of the glycan shield of the human immunodeficiency virus envelope during natural infection and implications for exposure of the 2G12 epitope.

Elucidation of the kinetics of exposure of neutralizing epitopes on the envelope of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) during the course of infection may provide key information about how HIV escapes the immune system or why its envelope is such a poor immunogen to induce broadly efficient neutralizing antibodies. We analyzed the kinetics of exposure of the epitopes corresponding to the broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies immunoglobulin G1b12 (IgG1b12), 2G12, and 2F5 at the quasispecies level during infection. We studied the antigenicity and sequences of 94 full-length envelope clones present during primary infection and at least 4 years later in four HIV-1 clade B-infected patients. No or only minor exposure differences were observed for the 2F5 and IgG1b12 epitopes between the early and late clones. Conversely, the envelope glycoproteins of the HIV-1 quasispecies present during primary infection did not expose the 2G12 neutralizing epitope, unlike those present after several years in three of the four patients. Sequence analysis revealed major differences at potential N-linked glycosylation sites between early and late clones, particularly at positions known to be important for 2G12 binding. Our study, in natural mutants, confirms that the glycosylation sites N295, N332, and N392 are essential for 2G12 binding. This study demonstrates the relationship between the evolving "glycan shield " of HIV and the kinetics of exposure of the 2G12 epitope during the course of natural infection.

Amino Acid Sequence↗