HIV-1 interaction with an -glycan-specific bacterial lectin enhances virus infectivity and resistance to neutralization by antibodies.

Bacteria dysbiosis has been associated with an increased risk of HIV-1 transmission and acquisition. The prevalent idea is that bacteria dysbiosis compromises mucosal integrity and promotes inflammatory conditions to cause recruitment and activation of immune cells that harbor or are targeted by HIV-1. However, it is also possible that HIV-1 directly binds bacteria or bacterial products to impact virus infectivity and transmissibility. This study evaluated HIV-1 interactions with bacteria through glycan-binding lectins. The Siglec-like lectin SLBR-N, which is part of the fimbriae shrouding the bacteria surface and recognizes α2,3 sialyated -linked glycans, was noted for its ability to enhance HIV-1 infectivity in the context of cell-free infection and cell-to-cell transfer. Enhancing effects were recapitulated with -glycan-binding plant lectins, signifying the importance of -glycans. Conversely, -glycan-binding bacterial lectins FimH and Msl had no effect. SLBR-N was demonstrated to capture and transfer infectious HIV-1 virions, bind to -glycans on HIV-1 Env, and increase HIV-1 resistance to broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting different regions of Env. Hence, this study highlights the potential contribution of -glycans in promoting HIV-1 infection through the exploitation of -glycan-binding lectins from commensal bacteria at the mucosa.