The V3 region of gp 120 is responsible for anti-HIV-1 activity of heparin sulphate

The effect of heparin sulphate on the infection of CD4+ lymphocytes by recombinant HIV-1 clones pIIIB and by pIIIB/V3-BaL was investigated. It was demonstrated that heparin sulphate decreased the infectivity of CD4+ lymphocytes by the pIIIB virus stronger than by the pIIIB/V3-BaL clone, and that the effect of heparin was concentration-dependent. This was accompanied by an inhibition of binding of the monoclonal antibodies 447-52-D to the V3 region and G45-60 to the C4 region of oligomeric glycoprotein 120 (gp120). It has been concluded that the inhibitory effect of heparin sulphate on the infection of CD4+ lymphocytes by recombinant HIV-1 clones is mediated mainly by the V3 region of gp120. However, the C4 region contributes to the inhibitory effect of heparin sulphate.