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Tetraspanins, including CD53 and CD81, are four-transmembrane proteins that affect the membrane organization to regulate cellular processes including migration, proliferation, and signaling. However, it is unclear how the organizing function of tetraspanins is regulated at the molecular level. Here, we investigated whether recently proposed "open" and "closed" conformations of tetraspanins regulate the nanoscale organization of the plasma membrane of B cells. We generated conformational mutants of CD53 (F44E) and CD81 (4A, E219Q) that represent the "closed" and "open" conformation, respectively. Surface expression of these CD53 and CD81 mutants was comparable to that of WT protein. Localization of mutant tetraspanins into nanodomains was visualized by super-resolution direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy. Whereas the size of these nanodomains was unaffected by conformation, the clustered fraction of "closed" CD53 was higher and of "open" CD81 lower than respective WT protein. In addition, KO cells lacking CD53 showed an increased likelihood of clustering of its partner CD45. Interestingly, "closed" CD53 interacted more with CD45 than WT CD53. Absence of CD81 lowered the cluster size of its partner CD19 and "closed" CD81 interacted less with CD19 than WT CD81, but "open" CD81 did not affect CD19 interaction. However, none of the tetraspanin conformations made significant impact on the nanoscale organization of their partners CD19 or CD45. Taken together, conformational mutations of CD53 and CD81 differentially affect their nanoscale organization, but not the organization of their partner proteins. This study improves the molecular insight into cell surface nanoscale organization by tetraspanins., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest with the contents of this article., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are preeminent carriers of biomarkers and have become the subject of intense biomedical research for medical diagnostics using biosensors. To create effective EV-based immunoassays, it is imperative to develop surface chemistry approaches with optimal EV detection targeting transmembrane protein biomarkers that are not affected by cell-to-cell variability. Here, we developed a series of immunoassays for the detection of EVs derived from mouse monocyte cells using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors. We chemically immobilized antibodies onto mixed self-assembled monolayers of oligo ethylene glycol (OEG) alkanethiolates with carboxylic and hydroxylic terminal groups. The effects of antibody clonality (monoclonal vs polyclonal) and antibody surface coverage in targeting EVs via CD81 tetraspanins were investigated. We determined binding kinetic parameters, establishing trends from steric hindrance effects and epitope recognition properties of antibodies. Our results indicate that a 40% surface coverage of polyclonal antibodies covalently linked onto a mixed SAM with 10% of terminated -COOH groups yields a promising approach for EV detection with a linear range of 1.9 × 10 8 -1.9 × 10 9 EVs/mL and a limit of detection of 5.9 × 10 6 EVs/mL. This optimal immunoassay exhibits a 1.92 nM equilibrium dissociation constant for bound EVs, suggesting a high binding affinity when CD81 is targeted. Our study provides important insights into surface chemistry development for EV detection targeted via transmembrane protein biomarkers using antibodies, which has promising applications for disease diagnostics.

Probing biomolecular interactions at cellular interfaces is crucial for understanding and interfering with life processes. Although affinity binders with site specificity for membrane proteins are unparalleled molecular tools, a high demand remains for novel multi-functional ligands. In this study, a synthetic peptide (APQQ) with tight and specific binding to the untargeted extracellular loop of CD81 evolved from a genetically encoded peptide pool. With tailored affinity, APQQ flexibly accesses, site-specifically binds, and forms a complex with CD81, enabling in-situ tracking of the dynamics and activity of this protein in living cells, which has rarely been explored because of the lack of ligands. Furthermore, APQQ triggers the relocalization of CD81 from diffuse to densely clustered at cell junctions and modulates the interplay of membrane proteins at cellular interfaces. Motivated by these, efficient suppression of cancer cell migration, and inhibition of breast cancer metastasis were achieved in vivo., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health threat to the public, and vaccines against it are not yet available. The HCV envelope glycoprotein E2 is a key target for anti-HCV vaccines. The majority of previous studies have focused on the hypervariable region and the glycosylation sites of the_HCV structural protein. This study aims to investigate a conserved domain of HCV E2 glycoprotein and explore its potential to induce an immune response against HCV., Methods: HCV E2 conserved domain (encompassing amino acids 505-702) was prepared in Escherichia coli ( E. coli ). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from patients with HCV or healthy controls. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay was conducted to examine the HCV E2-specific immune response as reflected by IFN-γ-secreting cells/106 PBMCs., Results: HCV E2 conserved domain was highly conserved among 25 HCV subtypes, and its recombinant soluble production in E. coli was recognized by anti-HCV E2 monoclonal antibodies. This study characterized in vitro direct interaction between bacterially expressed HCV E2 conserved domain and human CD81 (hCD81). Furthermore, the recombinant HCV E2_conserved domain markedly induced the production of IFN-γ by PBMCs from patients with HCV. Its stimulated specific immune response was significantly different from non-specific peptide controls or PBMCs isolated from healthy controls., Conclusions: HCV E2 conserved domain directly binds hCD81 and activates the production of IFN-γ in the PBMCs of patients with HCV. Therefore, the conserved domain of HCV E2 glycoprotein may be a new candidate for developing an HCV vaccine., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2023 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) uses a hybrid entry mechanism. Current structural data suggest that upon exposure to low pH and Cluster of Differentiation 81 (CD81), the amino terminus of envelope glycoprotein E2 becomes ordered and releases an internal loop with two invariant aromatic residues into the host membrane. Here, we present the structure of an amino-terminally truncated E2 with the membrane binding loop in a bent conformation and the aromatic side chains sequestered. Comparison with three previously reported E2 structures with the same Fab indicates that this internal loop is flexible, and that local context influences the exposure of hydrophobic residues. Biochemical assays show that the amino-terminally truncated E2 lacks the baseline membrane-binding capacity of the E2 ectodomain. Thus, the amino terminal region is a critical determinant for both CD81 and membrane interaction. These results provide new insights into the HCV entry mechanism., (© 2023. This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the US; foreign copyright protection may apply.)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the second viral agent that causes the majority of chronic hepatic infections worldwide, following Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. HCV infection comprises several steps, from the attachment to the receptors to the delivery of the viral genetic material and replication inside the cells. Tetraspanin CD81 is a key entry factor for HCV as it accompanies the virus during attachment and internalization through clathrin-mediated endocytosis. HCV-CD81 binding takes place through the viral glycoprotein E2. We performed full-atom molecular dynamics simulations reproducing the pH conditions that occur during the viral attachment to the hepatocytes (pH 7.4) and internalization (pH 6.2-4.6). We observed that changing the pH from 7.4 to 6.2 triggers a large conformational change in the binding orientation between E2 core (E2 core corresponds to residues 412-645 of the viral glycoprotein E2) and CD81 LEL (CD81 LEL corresponds to residues 112-204 of CD81) that occurs even more rapidly at low pH 4.6. This pH-induced switching mechanism has never been observed before and could allow the virus particles to sense the right moment during the maturation of the endosome to start fusion.

The tetraspanin family plays key roles in many physiological processes, such as, tumour invasion, cell motility, virus infection, cell attachment and entry. Tetraspanins function as molecular scaffolds organized in microdomains with interesting downstream cellular consequences. However, despite their relevance in human physiology, the precise mechanisms of their various functions remain elusive. In particular, the full-length CD81 tetraspanin has interesting cholesterol-related properties that modulate its activity in cells. In this work, we study the opening transition of CD81 under different conditions. We propose that such conformational change is a collaborative process enhanced by simultaneous interactions between multiple identical CD81 tetraspanins. With molecular dynamics simulations we describe the crucial role of a ternary lipid bilayer with cholesterol in CD81 conformational dynamics, observing two emergent properties: first, clusters of CD81 collectively segregate one tetraspanin while favouring one opening transition, second, cumulative cholesterol sequestering by CD81 tetraspanins inhibits large membrane deformations due to local density variations., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a causal agent of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in humans, and afflicts more than 70 million people worldwide. The HCV envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 are responsible for the binding of the virus to the host cell, but the exact entry process remains undetermined 1 . The majority of broadly neutralizing antibodies block interaction between HCV E2 and the large extracellular loop (LEL) of the cellular receptor CD81 (CD81-LEL) 2 . Here we show that low pH enhances the binding of CD81-LEL to E2, and we determine the crystal structure of E2 in complex with an antigen-binding fragment (2A12) and CD81-LEL (E2-2A12-CD81-LEL); E2 in complex with 2A12 (E2-2A12); and CD81-LEL alone. After binding CD81, residues 418-422 in E2 are displaced, which allows for the extension of an internal loop consisting of residues 520-539. Docking of the E2-CD81-LEL complex onto a membrane-embedded, full-length CD81 places the residues Tyr529 and Trp531 of E2 proximal to the membrane. Liposome flotation assays show that low pH and CD81-LEL increase the interaction of E2 with membranes, whereas structure-based mutants of Tyr529, Trp531 and Ile422 in the amino terminus of E2 abolish membrane binding. These data support a model in which acidification and receptor binding result in a conformational change in E2 in preparation for membrane fusion., (© 2021. This is a U.S. government work and not under copyright protection in the U.S.; foreign copyright protection may apply.)

Signaling through the CD19-CD81 co-receptor complex, in combination with the B cell receptor, is a critical determinant of B cell development and activation. It is unknown how CD81 engages CD19 to enable co-receptor function. Here, we report a 3.8-angstrom structure of the CD19-CD81 complex bound to a therapeutic antigen-binding fragment, determined by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The structure includes both the extracellular domains and the transmembrane helices of the complex, revealing a contact interface between the ectodomains that drives complex formation. Upon binding to CD19, CD81 opens its ectodomain to expose a hydrophobic CD19-binding surface and reorganizes its transmembrane helices to occlude a cholesterol binding pocket present in the apoprotein. Our data reveal the structural basis for CD19-CD81 complex assembly, providing a foundation for rational design of therapies for B cell dysfunction., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.)

Tetraspanins exert a wide range of cellular functions of broad medical importance. Despite this, their biophysical characteristics are incompletely understood. Only two high-resolution structures of full-length tetraspanins have been solved. One is that of human CD81, which is involved in the infectivity of human pathogens including influenza, HIV, the malarial Plasmodium parasite and hepatitis C virus (HCV). The CD81 crystal structure identifies a cholesterol-binding pocket, which has been suggested to be important in the regulation of tetraspanin function. Here we investigate the use of styrene-maleic anhydride co-polymers (SMA) for the solubilisation and purification of CD81 within a lipid environment. When CD81 was expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris, it could be solubilised and purified using SMA2000. This SMALP-encapsulated CD81 retained its native folded structure, as determined by the binding of two conformation-sensitive anti-CD81 antibodies. Analysis by size exclusion chromatography revealed two distinct populations of CD81, only one of which bound the HCV glycoprotein, E2. Optimization of expression and buffer conditions increased the proportion of E2-binding competent CD81 protein. Mass spectrometry analysis indicated that the lipid environment surrounding CD81 is enriched with negatively charged lipids. These results establish a platform to study the influence of protein-lipid interactions in tetraspanin biology., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Tetraspanins, including CD53 and CD81, regulate a multitude of cellular processes through organizing an interaction network on cell membranes. Here, we report the crystal structure of CD53 in an open conformation poised for partner interaction. The large extracellular domain (EC2) of CD53 protrudes away from the membrane surface and exposes a variable region, which is identified by hydrogen-deuterium exchange as the common interface for CD53 and CD81 to bind partners. The EC2 orientation in CD53 is supported by an extracellular loop (EC1). At the closed conformation of CD81, however, EC2 disengages from EC1 and rotates toward the membrane, thereby preventing partner interaction. Structural simulation shows that EC1-EC2 interaction also supports the open conformation of CD81. Disrupting this interaction in CD81 impairs the accurate glycosylation of its CD19 partner, the target for leukemia immunotherapies. Moreover, EC1 mutations in CD53 prevent the chemotaxis of pre-B cells toward a chemokine that supports B-cell trafficking and homing within the bone marrow, a major CD53 function identified here. Overall, an open conformation is required for tetraspanin-partner interactions to support myriad cellular processes., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents an important and growing public health problem, chronically infecting an estimated 70 million people worldwide. This blood-borne pathogen is generating a new wave of infections in the United States, associated with increasing intravenous drug use over the last decade. In most cases, HCV establishes a chronic infection, sometimes causing cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although a curative therapy exists, it is extremely expensive and provides no barrier to reinfection; therefore, a vaccine is urgently needed. The virion is asymmetric and heterogeneous with the buoyancy and protein content similar to low-density lipoparticles. Core protein is unstructured, and of the two envelope glycoproteins, E1 and E2, the function of E1 remains enigmatic. E2 is responsible for specifically binding host receptors CD81 and scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI). This review will focus on structural progress on HCV virion, core protein, envelope glycoproteins, and specific host receptors., (Copyright © 2020 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; all rights reserved.)

Hepatitis C Virus is a blood borne pathogen responsible for chronic hepatitis in more than 71 million people. Wide variations across strains and genotypes are one of the major hurdles in therapeutic development. While genotype 1 remains the most extensively studied and abundant strain, genotype 3 is more virulent and second most prevalent. This study aimed to compare differences in the glycoprotein E2 across HCV genotypes at nucleotide, protein and structural levels. Nucleotide sequences of E2 from 29 strains across genotypes 1a, 1b, 3a and 3b revealed a stark preference for C-richness which was attributed to a distinct bias for C-rich codons in genotype 1. Genotype 3 exhibited a similar preference to a lesser extent. Amino acid level comparison revealed majority of the changes at the C-terminal half of the proteins leaving the N-terminal region conspicuously conserved apart from the two hyper variable regions. Amino acid changes across genotypes were mostly polar-nonpolar alterations. In silico models of E2 glycoproteins and docking analysis with the energy minimized PDB-CD81 model revealed unique interacting residues in both E2 and CD81. While several CD81 binding residues were common for all four genotypes, number and composition of interacting residues varied. The interacting residues of E2 were however unique for each genotype. E2 of genotype 3a and CD81 had the strongest interaction. In conclusion this is the first comprehensive study comparing E2 sequences across genotypes 1a, 1b, 3a and 3b revealing stark genotype-specific differences which requires more extensive investigation., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Membrane partition and remodeling play a key role in numerous cell mechanisms, especially in viral replication cycles where viruses subvert the plasma membrane to enter and escape from the host cell. Specifically assembly and release of HIV-1 particles require specific cellular components, which are recruited to the egress site by the viral protein Gag. We previously demonstrated that HIV-1 assembly alters both partitioning and dynamics of the tetraspanins CD9 and CD81, which are key players in many infectious processes, forming enriched areas where the virus buds. In this study we correlated super resolution microscopy mapping of tetraspanins with membrane topography delineated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in Gag-expressing cells. We revealed that CD9 is specifically trapped within the nascent viral particles, especially at buds tips, suggesting that Gag mediates CD9 and CD81 depletion from the plasma membrane. In addition, we showed that CD9 is organized as small membrane assemblies of few tens of nanometers that can coalesce upon Gag expression.

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) belongs to a group of enteric human pathogens known as attaching-and-effacing (A/E) pathogens, which utilize a type III secretion system (T3SS) to translocate a battery of effector proteins from their own cytoplasm into host intestinal epithelial cells. Here we identified EspH to be an effector that prompts the recruitment of the tetraspanin CD81 to infection sites. EspH was also shown to be an effector that suppresses the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) signaling pathway at longer infection times. The inhibitory effect was abrogated upon deletion of the last 38 amino acids located at the C terminus of the protein. The efficacy of EspH-dependent Erk suppression was higher in CD81-deficient cells, suggesting that CD81 may act as a positive regulator of Erk, counteracting Erk suppression by EspH. EspH was found within CD81 microdomains soon after infection but was largely excluded from these domains at a later time. Based on our results, we propose a mechanism whereby CD81 is initially recruited to infection sites in response to EspH translocation. At a later stage, EspH moves out of the CD81 clusters to facilitate effective Erk inhibition. Moreover, EspH selectively inhibits the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-induced Erk signaling pathway. Since Erk and TNF-α have been implicated in innate immunity and cell survival, our studies suggest a novel mechanism by which EPEC suppresses these processes to promote its own colonization and survival in the infected gut., (Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.)

Hepatitis C viral infection is the major cause of chronic hepatitis that affects as many as 71 million people worldwide. Rather than target the rapidly shifting viruses and their numerous serotypes, four independent antibodies were made to target the host antigen CD81 and were shown to block hepatitis C viral entry. The single-chain variable fragment of each antibody was crystallized in complex with the CD81 large extracellular loop in order to guide affinity maturation of two distinct antibodies by phage display. Affinity maturation of antibodies using phage display has proven to be critical to therapeutic antibody development and typically involves modification of the paratope for increased affinity, improved specificity, enhanced stability or a combination of these traits. One antibody was engineered for increased affinity for human CD81 large extracellular loop that equated to increased efficacy, while the second antibody was engineered for cross-reactivity with cynomolgus CD81 to facilitate animal model testing. The use of structures to guide affinity maturation library design demonstrates the utility of combining structural analysis with phage display technologies., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) enters human hepatocytes using four essential entry factors, one of which is human CD81 (hCD81). The tetraspanin hCD81 contains a large extracellular loop (LEL), which interacts with the E2 glycoprotein of HCV. The role of the non-LEL regions of hCD81 (intracellular tails, four transmembrane domains, small extracellular loop and intracellular loop) is poorly understood. Here, we studied the contribution of these domains to HCV susceptibility of hepatoma cells by generating chimeras of related tetraspanins with the hCD81 LEL. Our results show that non-LEL regions in addition to the LEL determine susceptibility of cells to HCV. While closely related tetraspanins ( X. tropicalis CD81 and D. rerio CD81) functionally complement hCD81 non-LEL regions, distantly related tetraspanins ( C. elegans TSP9 amd D. melanogaster TSP96F) do not and tetraspanins with intermediate homology (hCD9) show an intermediate phenotype. Tetraspanin homology and susceptibility to HCV correlate positively. For some chimeras, infectivity correlates with surface expression. In contrast, the hCD9 chimera is fully surface expressed, binds HCV E2 glycoprotein but is impaired in HCV receptor function. We demonstrate that a cholesterol-coordinating glutamate residue in CD81, which hCD9 lacks, promotes HCV infection. This work highlights the hCD81 non-LEL regions as additional HCV susceptibility-determining factors.

The human tetraspanin family of scaffold proteins comprises 33 isoforms. Being integral membrane proteins, they organize a so-called tetraspanin web via homomeric and heteromeric protein-protein interactions with integrins, immunoglobulins, growth factors, receptor tyrosine kinases, proteases, signaling proteins, and viral capsid proteins. Tetraspanins promote cellular effects, such as adhesion, migration, invasion, signaling, membrane fusion, protein trafficking, cancer progression, and infections. The ubiquitous expression of multiple tetraspanin isoforms and partner proteins hampers specific interaction studies. Here, we evaluated Dictyostelium discoideum as a non-mammalian expression system for human tetraspanins. Using high-content imaging we quantified tetraspanins in D. discoideum via fusion with green fluorescent protein. Three human tetraspanins, CD9, CD81, and CD151, served as test cases for which optimizations were carried out. We swapped the GFP domain between the N- and C-termini, added a Kozak sequence, and partially or fully adapted of the codon usage. This way, CD81 and CD151 were successfully produced. A conformation specific antibody further confirmed correct folding of CD81 and flow cytometry indicated an intracellular localization. Based on these data, we envision a D. discoideum-based co-expression platform with human partner proteins for studying tetraspanin interactions and their selective druggability on a large scale without the interference of endogenous human proteins., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Members of the tetraspanin family have been identified as essential cellular membrane proteins in infectious diseases by nearly all types of pathogens. The present review highlights recently published data on the role of tetraspanin CD151, CD81, and CD63 and their interaction partners in host cell entry by human cytomegalo- and human papillomaviruses. Moreover, we discuss a model for tetraspanin assembly into trafficking platforms at the plasma membrane. These platforms might persist during intracellular viral trafficking., (© 2017 The Author(s); published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society.)

Tetraspanins play important roles in normal (e.g. cell adhesion, motility, activation, and proliferation) and pathological conditions (e.g. metastasis and viral infection). Tetraspanins interact with integrins and regulate integrin functions, but the specifics of tetraspanin-integrin interactions are unclear. Using co-immunoprecipitation with integrins as a sole method to detect interaction between integrins and full-length tetraspanins, it has been proposed that the variable region (helices D and E) of the extracellular-2 (EC2) domain of tetraspanins laterally associates with a non-ligand-binding site of integrins. We describe that, using adhesion assays, the EC2 domain of CD81, CD9, and CD151 bound to integrin αvβ3, and this binding was suppressed by cRGDfV, a specific inhibitor of αvβ3, and antibody 7E3, which is mapped to the ligand-binding site of β3. We also present evidence that the specificity loop of β3 directly bound to the EC2 domains. This suggests that the EC2 domains specifically bind to the classical ligand-binding site of αvβ3. αvβ3 was a more effective receptor for the EC2 domains than the previously known tetraspanin receptors α3β1, α4β1, and α6β1. Docking simulation predicted that the helices A and B of CD81 EC2 bind to the RGD-binding site of αvβ3. Substituting Lys residues at positions 116 and 144/148 of CD81 EC2 in the predicted integrin-binding interface reduced the binding of CD81 EC2 to αvβ3, consistent with the docking model. These findings suggest that, in contrast with previous models, the ligand-binding site of integrin αvβ3, a new tetraspanin receptor, binds to the constant region (helices A and B) of the EC2 domain., (© 2017 The Author(s); published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society.)

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope glycoprotein E2 is the major target of broadly neutralizing antibodies in vivo and is the focus of efforts in the rational design of a universal B cell vaccine against HCV. The E2 glycoprotein exhibits a high degree of amino acid variability which localizes to three discrete regions: hypervariable region 1 (HVR1), hypervariable region 2 (HVR2), and the intergenotypic variable region (igVR). All three variable regions contribute to immune evasion and/or isolate-specific structural variations, both important considerations for vaccine design. A high-resolution structural definition of the intact HCV envelope glycoprotein complex containing E1 and E2 remains to be elucidated, while crystallographic structures of a recombinant E2 ectodomain failed to resolve HVR1, HVR2, and a major neutralization determinant adjacent to HVR1. To obtain further information on E2, we characterized the role of all three variable regions in E2 ectodomain folding and function in the context of a recombinant ectodomain fragment (rE2). We report that removal of the variable regions accelerates binding to the major host cell receptor CD81 and that simultaneous deletion of HVR2 and the igVR is required to maintain wild-type CD81-binding characteristics. The removal of the variable regions also rescued the ability of rE2 to form a functional homodimer. We propose that the rE2 core provides novel insights into the role of the variable motifs in the higher-order assembly of the E2 ectodomain and may have implications for E1E2 structure on the virion surface. IMPORTANCE Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects ∼2% of the population globally, and no vaccine is available. HCV is a highly variable virus, and understanding the presentation of key antigenic sites at the virion surface is important for the design of a universal vaccine. This study investigates the role of three surface-exposed variable regions in E2 glycoprotein folding and function in the context of a recombinant soluble ectodomain. Our data demonstrate the variable motifs modulate binding of the E2 ectodomain to the major host cell receptor CD81 and have an impact on the formation of an E2 homodimer with high-affinity binding to CD81., (Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) enters into human hepatocytes via tetraspanin hCD81. HCV glycoprotein E2 recognizes the "head" subdomain of the large extracellular loop (LEL) of CD81 (hCD81 LEL ), but the precise mechanism of virus cell attachment and entry remains elusive. Here, by combining the structural analysis of a conspicuous number of crystallized CD81 LEL molecules with molecular dynamics simulations, we show that the conformational plasticity of the hCD81 LEL head subdomain is a molecular property of the receptor. The observed closed, intermediate, and open conformations of the head subdomain provide distinct binding platforms. Simulations at pH 7.4 and 4.0 indicate that this dynamism is pH modulated. The crystallized double conformation of the disulfide bridge C157-C175 at the base of the head subdomain identifies this bond as the molecular zipper of the plasticity of hCD81 LEL . We propose that this conformational dependence of hCD81 LEL , which is finely tuned by pH and redox conditions, enables the virus-receptor interactions to diversely re-engage at endosomal conditions., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In mass cytometry, the isolation of pure lymphocytes is very important to obtain reproducible results and to shorten the time spent on data acquisition. To prepare highly purified cell suspensions of peripheral blood lymphocytes for further analysis on mass cytometer, we used the new CD81+ immune affinity chromatography cell isolation approach. Using 21 metal conjugated antibodies in a single tube we were able to identify all basic cell subsets and compare their relative abundance in final products obtained by density gradient (Ficoll-Paque) and immune affinity chromatography (CD81+ T-catch™) isolation approach. We show that T-catch isolation approach results in purer final product than Ficoll-Paque (P values 0.0156), with fewer platelets bound to target cells. As a result acquisition time of 10 5 nucleated cells was 3.5 shorter. We then applied unsupervised high dimensional analysis viSNE algorithm to compare the two isolation protocols, which allowed us to evaluate the contribution of unsupervised analysis over supervised manual gating. ViSNE algorithm effectively characterized almost all supervised cell subsets. Moreover, viSNE uncovered previously overseen cell subsets and showed inaccuracies in Maxpar™ Human peripheral blood phenotyping panel kit recommended gating strategy. These findings emphasize the use of unsupervised analysis tools in parallel with conventional gating strategy to mine the complete information from a set of samples. They also stress the importance of the impurity removal to sensitively detect rare cell populations in unsupervised analysis. © 2016 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry., (© 2016 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.)

Tetraspanins comprise a diverse family of four-pass transmembrane proteins that play critical roles in the immune, reproductive, genitourinary, and auditory systems. Despite their pervasive roles in human physiology, little is known about the structure of tetraspanins or the molecular mechanisms underlying their various functions. Here, we report the crystal structure of human CD81, a full-length tetraspanin. The transmembrane segments of CD81 pack as two largely separated pairs of helices, capped by the large extracellular loop (EC2) at the outer membrane leaflet. The two pairs of helices converge at the inner leaflet to create an intramembrane pocket with additional electron density corresponding to a bound cholesterol molecule within the cavity. Molecular dynamics simulations identify an additional conformation in which EC2 separates substantially from the transmembrane domain. Cholesterol binding appears to modulate CD81 activity in cells, suggesting a potential mechanism for regulation of tetraspanin function., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Unlabelled: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 form a heterodimer and mediate receptor interactions and viral fusion. Both E1 and E2 are targets of the neutralizing antibody (NAb) response and are candidates for the production of vaccines that generate humoral immunity. Previous studies demonstrated that N-terminal hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) can modulate the neutralization potential of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), but no information is available on the influence of HVR2 or the intergenotypic variable region (igVR) on antigenicity. In this study, we examined how the variable regions influence the antigenicity of the receptor binding domain of E2 spanning HCV polyprotein residues 384 to 661 (E2661) using a panel of MAbs raised against E2661 and E2661 lacking HVR1, HVR2, and the igVR (Δ123) and well-characterized MAbs isolated from infected humans. We show for a subset of both neutralizing and nonneutralizing MAbs that all three variable regions decrease the ability of MAbs to bind E2661 and reduce the ability of MAbs to inhibit E2-CD81 interactions. In addition, we describe a new MAb directed toward the region spanning residues 411 to 428 of E2 (MAb24) that demonstrates broad neutralization against all 7 genotypes of HCV. The ability of MAb24 to inhibit E2-CD81 interactions is strongly influenced by the three variable regions. Our data suggest that HVR1, HVR2, and the igVR modulate exposure of epitopes on the core domain of E2 and their ability to prevent E2-CD81 interactions. These studies suggest that the function of HVR2 and the igVR is to modulate antibody recognition of glycoprotein E2 and may contribute to immune evasion., Importance: This study reveals conformational and antigenic differences between the Δ123 and intact E2661 glycoproteins and provides new structural and functional data about the three variable regions and their role in occluding neutralizing and nonneutralizing epitopes on the E2 core domain. The variable regions may therefore function to reduce the ability of HCV to elicit NAbs directed toward the conserved core domain. Future studies aimed at generating a three-dimensional structure for intact E2 containing HVR1, and the adjoining NAb epitope at residues 412 to 428, together with HVR2, will reveal how the variable regions modulate antigenic structure., (Copyright © 2015 Alhammad et al.)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the leading causes of chronic liver diseases; however, HCV vaccine remains unavailable to date. One main obstacle is the lack of an efficient small animal model. Cluster of differentiation 81 (CD81) is an essential entry coreceptor for HCV species specificity to humans, though the underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated. We performed structural, biophysical, and virologic studies on HCV nonpermissive CD81s from mice and African green monkeys [mouse cluster of differentiation 81 (mCD81) and African green monkey cluster of differentiation 81 (agmCD81)] and compared with human cluster of differentiation 81 (hCD81). We discovered an intramolecular hydrogen bond (Gln188-Nε2-H: Glu196-Oε2, 2 Å, 124°) within the large extracellular loop (LEL) of mCD81 and a salt bridge (Lys188-Nζ: Asp196-Oδ2, 2.4 Å) within agmCD81-LEL between residues 188 and 196. This structural feature is missing in hCD81. We demonstrated that the introduction of a single 188-196 bond to hCD81 impaired its binding affinity to HCV envelope glycoprotein 2 (HCV E2) and significantly decreased HCV pseudoviral particle (HCVpp) entry efficiency (4.92- to 8.42-fold) and cell culture-grown HCV (HCVcc) infectivity (4.55-fold), despite the availability of Phe186. For HCV nonpermissive CD81s, the introduction of Phe186 by Leu186F substitution alone was insufficient to confer HCV permissiveness. The disruption of the original 188-196 bond and Leu186F substitution were both required for potent binding to HCV E2 HCVpp entry efficiency and HCVcc infectivity. Our structural and biophysical analyses suggest that the intramolecular 188-196 bond restricts the intrinsic conformational dynamics of D-helix of CD81-LEL, which is essential for HCV entry, thus impairs HCV permissiveness. Our findings reveal a novel molecular determinant for HCV entry in addition to the well-characterized Phe186 and provide further guideline for selecting an HCV small animal model., (© FASEB.)

Normal expression of CD19 on the surface of B cells requires the presence of the tetraspanin molecule CD81. Previous studies have shown that surface expression of CD19 is highly reduced in CD81-deficient mouse B cells and that it is completely absent in an antibody deficient human patient with a mutation in the CD81 gene. The current study explored the contribution of an arginine-lysine rich motif, present in the membrane-proximal cytoplasmic domain of CD19, for the maturation and trafficking of this molecule. We demonstrate that this motif plays a role in the maturation and recycling of CD19 but in a CD81-independent manner., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The E2 glycoprotein of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major target of the neutralizing antibody (NAb) response with the majority of epitopes located within its receptor binding domain (RBD; 384-661). Within E2 are three variable regions located at the N-terminus (HVR1; 384-411), and internally at 460-480 (HVR2) and 570-580 [intergenotypic variable region (igVR)], all of which lie outside a conserved core domain that contains the CD81 binding site, essential for attachment of virions to host cells and a major target of NAbs. In this study, we examined the evolution of the E1 and E2 region in two patients infected with genotype 3a virus. Whereas one patient was able to clear the acute infection, the other developed a chronic infection. Mutations accumulated at multiple positions within the N-terminal HVR1 as well as within the igVR in both patients over time, whereas mutations in HVR2 were observed only in the chronically infected patient. Mutations within or adjacent to the CD81 contact site were observed in both patients but were less frequent and more conservative in the patient that cleared his/her infection. The evolution of CD81 binding function and antigenicity was examined with longitudinal E2 RBD sequences. The ability of the RBD to bind CD81 was completely lost by week 108 in the patient that developed chronic HCV. In the second patient, the ability of the week 36 RBD, just prior to viral clearance, to bind CD81 was reduced ~50% relative to RBD sequences obtained earlier. The binding of a NAb specific to a conserved epitope located within E2 residues 411-428 was significantly reduced by week 108 despite complete conservation of its epitope suggesting that E2 antigenicity is allosterically modulated. The exposure of non-neutralizing antibody epitopes was similarly explored and we observed that the epitope of 3 out of 4 non-NAbs were significantly more exposed in the RBDs representing the late timepoints in the chronic patient. By contrast, the exposure of non-neutralizing epitopes was reduced in the patient that cleared his/her infection and could in part be attributed to sequence changes in the igVR. These studies reveal that during HCV infection, the exposure of the CD81 binding site on E2 becomes increasingly occluded, and the antigenicity of the E2 RBD towards both neutralizing and non-neutralizing antibodies is modulated via allosteric mechanisms.

Unlabelled: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) glycoprotein E2 is considered a major target for generating neutralizing antibodies against HCV, primarily due to its role of engaging host entry factors, such as CD81, a key cell surface protein associated with HCV entry. Based on a series of biochemical analyses in combination with molecular docking, we present a description of a potential binding interface formed between the E2 protein and CD81. The virus side of this interface includes a hydrophobic helix motif comprised of residues W(437)LAGLF(442), which encompasses the binding site of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody, mAb41. The helical conformation of this motif provides a structural framework for the positioning of residues F442 and Y443, serving as contact points for the interaction with CD81. The cell side of this interface likewise involves a surface-exposed hydrophobic helix, namely, the D-helix of CD81, which coincides with the binding site of 1D6, a monoclonal anti-CD81 antibody known to block HCV entry. Our illustration of this virus-host interface suggests an important role played by the W(437)LAGLF(442) helix of the E2 protein in the hydrophobic interaction with the D-helix of CD81, thereby facilitating our understanding of the mechanism for antibody-mediated neutralization of HCV., Importance: Characterization of the interface established between a virus and host cells can provide important information that may be used for the control of virus infections. The interface that enables hepatitis C virus (HCV) to infect human liver cells has not been well understood because of the number of cell surface proteins, factors, and conditions found to be associated with the infection process. Based on a series of biochemical analyses in combination with molecular docking, we present such an interface, consisting of two hydrophobic helical structures, from the HCV E2 surface glycoprotein and the CD81 protein, a major host cell receptor recognized by all HCV strains. Our study reveals the critical role played by hydrophobic interactions in the formation of this virus-host interface, thereby contributing to our understanding of the mechanism for antibody-mediated neutralization of HCV., (Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.)

The goal of this study is to investigate the feasibility of using CD81- (Cluster of Differentiation 81 protein-) targeted microparticles of iron oxide (CD81-MPIO) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the murine atherosclerosis. CD81-MPIO and IgG- (Immunoglobulin G-) MPIO were prepared by covalently conjugating, respectively, with anti-CD81 monoclonal and IgG antibodies to the surface of the tosyl activated MPIO. The relevant binding capability of the MPIO was examined by incubating them with murine bEnd.3 cells stimulated with phenazine methosulfate (PMS) and its effect in shortening T2 relaxation time was also examined. MRI in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice was studied in vivo. Our results show that CD81-MPIO, but not IgG-MPIO, can bind to the PMS-stimulated bEnd.3 cells. The T2 relaxation time was significantly shortened for stimulated bEnd.3 cells when compared with IgG-MPIO. In vivo MRI in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice showed highly conspicuous areas of low signal after CD81-MPIO injection. Quantitative analysis of the area of CD81-MPIO contrast effects showed 8.96- and 6.98-fold increase in comparison with IgG-MPIO or plain MPIO, respectively (P < 0.01). Histological assay confirmed the expression of CD81 and CD81-MPIO binding onto atherosclerotic lesions. In conclusion, CD81-MPIO allows molecular assessment of murine atherosclerotic lesions by magnetic resonance imaging.

CD81 is a ubiquitously expressed member of the tetraspanin family. It forms large molecular platforms, so-called tetraspanin webs that play physiological roles in a variety of cellular functions and are involved in viral and parasite infections. We have investigated which part of the CD81 molecule is required for the formation of domains in the cell membranes of T-cells and hepatocytes. Surprisingly, we find that large CD81 platforms assemble via the short extracellular δ-domain, independent from a strong primary partner binding and from weak interactions mediated by palmitoylation. The δ-domain is also essential for the platforms to function during viral entry. We propose that, instead of stable binary interactions, CD81 interactions via the small δ-domain, possibly involving a dimerization step, play the key role in organizing CD81 into large tetraspanin webs and controlling its function., (Copyright © 2014 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A case of a young girl diagnosed with an antibody deficiency syndrome serves to highlight the role of CD81 in B cell biology. Moreover, this case illustrates a fundamental function of the tetraspanin family, namely their association with partner proteins. Characterization of the patient's B cells revealed lack of surface CD19 although both of her CD19 alleles were normal. Further analysis determined that her antibody deficiency syndrome was due to a mutation in the CD81 gene, which did not enable expression of CD19 on the surface of the patient's B cells. Actually, the partnership of CD81 with CD19 and the dependency of CD19 for its trafficking to the cell surface expression were first documented in CD81-deficient mice. CD81 is a widely expressed protein, yet the mutation in the antibody-deficient patient impaired mostly her B cell function. CD81 is required for multiple normal physiological functions, which have been subverted by major human pathogens, such as hepatitis C virus. However, this review will focus on the function of CD81 in cells of the adaptive immune system. Specifically, it will highlight studies focusing on the different roles of CD81 in B and T cells and on its function in B-T cell interactions.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a Hepacivirus, is a major cause of viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 mediate fusion and entry into host cells and are the primary targets of the humoral immune response. The crystal structure of the E2 core bound to broadly neutralizing antibody AR3C at 2.65 angstroms reveals a compact architecture composed of a central immunoglobulin-fold β sandwich flanked by two additional protein layers. The CD81 receptor binding site was identified by electron microscopy and site-directed mutagenesis and overlaps with the AR3C epitope. The x-ray and electron microscopy E2 structures differ markedly from predictions of an extended, three-domain, class II fusion protein fold and therefore provide valuable information for HCV drug and vaccine design.

Hepatitis C is a global health problem. While many drug companies have active R&D efforts to develop new drugs for treating Hepatitis C virus (HCV), most target the viral enzymes. The HCV glycoprotein E2 has been shown to play an essential role in hepatocyte invasion by binding to CD81 and other cell surface receptors. This paper describes the use of AutoDock to identify ligand binding sites on the large extracellular loop of the open conformation of CD81 and to perform virtual screening runs to identify sets of small molecule ligands predicted to bind to two of these sites. The best sites selected by AutoLigand were located in regions identified by mutational studies to be the site of E2 binding. Thirty-six ligands predicted by AutoDock to bind to these sites were subsequently tested experimentally to determine if they bound to CD81-LEL. Binding assays conducted using surface Plasmon resonance revealed that 26 out of 36 (72 %) of the ligands bound in vitro to the recombinant CD81-LEL protein. Competition experiments performed using dual polarization interferometry showed that one of the ligands predicted to bind to the large cleft between the C and D helices was also effective in blocking E2 binding to CD81-LEL.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) entry is dependent on coreceptor complex formation between the tetraspanin superfamily member CD81 and the tight junction protein claudin-1 (CLDN1) on the host cell membrane. The receptor tyrosine kinase EGFR acts as a cofactor for HCV entry by promoting CD81-CLDN1 complex formation via unknown mechanisms. We identify the GTPase HRas, activated downstream of EGFR signaling, as a key host signal transducer for EGFR-mediated HCV entry. Proteomic analysis revealed that HRas associates with tetraspanin CD81, CLDN1, and the previously unrecognized HCV entry cofactors integrin β1 and Ras-related protein Rap2B in hepatocyte membranes. HRas signaling is required for lateral membrane diffusion of CD81, which enables tetraspanin receptor complex assembly. HRas was also found to be relevant for entry of other viruses, including influenza. Our data demonstrate that viruses exploit HRas signaling for cellular entry by compartmentalization of entry factors and receptor trafficking., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

CD81 is a member of the tetraspanin family that has been described to have a key role in cell migration of tumor and immune cells. To unravel the mechanisms of CD81-regulated cell migration, we performed proteomic analyses that revealed an interaction of the tetraspanin C-terminal domain with the small GTPase Rac. Direct interaction was confirmed biochemically. Moreover, microscopy cross-correlation analysis demonstrated the in situ integration of both molecules into the same molecular complex. Pull-down experiments revealed that CD81-Rac interaction was direct and independent of Rac activation status. Knockdown of CD81 resulted in enhanced protrusion rate, altered focal adhesion formation, and decreased cell migration, correlating with increased active Rac. Reexpression of wild-type CD81, but not its truncated form lacking the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain, rescued these effects. The phenotype of CD81 knockdown cells was mimicked by treatment with a soluble peptide with the C-terminal sequence of the tetraspanin. Our data show that the interaction of Rac with the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain of CD81 is a novel regulatory mechanism of the GTPase activity turnover. Furthermore, they provide a novel mechanism for tetraspanin-dependent regulation of cell motility and open new avenues for tetraspanin-targeted reagents by the use of cell-permeable peptides.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and primary liver cancer. Despite 130 million people being at risk worldwide, no vaccine exists, and effective therapy is limited by drug resistance, toxicity, and high costs. The tetraspanin CD81 is an essential entry-level receptor required for HCV infection of hepatocytes and represents a critical target for intervention. In this study, we report the first structural characterization of the large extracellular loop of CD81, expressed in mammalian cells and studied in physiological solutions. The HCV E2 glycoprotein recognizes CD81 through a dynamic loop on the helical bundle, which was shown by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to adopt a conformation distinct from that seen in crystals. A novel membrane binding interface was revealed adjacent to the exposed HCV interaction site in the extracellular loop of CD81. The binding pockets for two proposed inhibitors of the CD81-HCV interaction, namely, benzyl salicylate and fexofenadine, were shown to overlap the HCV and membrane interaction sites. Although the dynamic loop region targeted by these compounds presents challenges for structure-based design, the NMR assignments enable realistic screening and validation of ligands. Together, these data provide an improved avenue for developing potent agents that specifically block CD81-HCV interaction and also pave a way for elucidating the recognition mechanisms of diverse tetraspanins.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) leads to progressive liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current treatments are only partially effective, and new therapies targeting viral and host pathways are required. Virus entry into a host cell provides a conserved target for therapeutic intervention. Tetraspanin CD81, scavenger receptor class B member I, and the tight-junction proteins claudin-1 and occludin have been identified as essential entry receptors. Limited information is available on the role of receptor trafficking in HCV entry. We demonstrate here that anti-CD81 antibodies inhibit HCV infection at late times after virus internalization, suggesting a role for intracellular CD81 in HCV infection. Several tetraspanins have been reported to internalize via motifs in their C-terminal cytoplasmic domains; however, CD81 lacks such motifs, leading several laboratories to suggest a limited role for CD81 endocytosis in HCV entry. We demonstrate CD81 internalization via a clathrin- and dynamin-dependent process, independent of its cytoplasmic domain, suggesting a role for associated partner proteins in regulating CD81 trafficking. Live cell imaging demonstrates CD81 and claudin-1 coendocytosis and fusion with Rab5 expressing endosomes, supporting a role for this receptor complex in HCV internalization. Receptor-specific antibodies and HCV particles increase CD81 and claudin-1 endocytosis, supporting a model wherein HCV stimulates receptor trafficking to promote particle internalization.

The protonation of histidine in acidic environments underpins its role in regulating the function of pH-sensitive proteins. For pH-sensitive viral fusion proteins, histidine protonation in the endosome leads to the activation of their membrane fusion function. The HCV (hepatitis C virus) glycoprotein E1-E2 heterodimer mediates membrane fusion within the endosome, but the roles of conserved histidine residues in the formation of a functional heterodimer and in sensing pH changes is unknown. We examined the functional roles of conserved histidine residues located within E1 and E2. The E1 mutations, H222A/R, H298R and H352A, disrupted E1-E2 heterodimerization and reduced virus entry. A total of five out of six histidine residues located within the E2 RBD (receptor-binding domain) were important for the E2 fold, and their substitution with arginine or alanine caused aberrant heterodimerization and/or CD81 binding. Distinct roles in E1-E2 heterodimerization and in virus entry were identified for His691 and His693 respectively within the membrane-proximal stem region. Viral entry and cell-cell fusion at neutral and low pH values were enhanced with H445R, indicating that the protonation state of His445 is a key regulator of HCV fusion. However, H445R did not overcome the block to virus entry induced by bafilomycin A1, indicating a requirement for an endosomal activation trigger in addition to acidic pH.

Interaction between the hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope protein E2 and the host receptor CD81 is essential for HCV entry into target cells. The number of E2-CD81 complexes necessary for HCV entry has remained difficult to estimate experimentally. Using the recently developed cell culture systems that allow persistent HCV infection in vitro, the dependence of HCV entry and kinetics on CD81 expression has been measured. We reasoned that analysis of the latter experiments using a mathematical model of viral kinetics may yield estimates of the number of E2-CD81 complexes necessary for HCV entry. Here, we constructed a mathematical model of HCV viral kinetics in vitro, in which we accounted explicitly for the dependence of HCV entry on CD81 expression. Model predictions of viral kinetics are in quantitative agreement with experimental observations. Specifically, our model predicts triphasic viral kinetics in vitro, where the first phase is characterized by cell proliferation, the second by the infection of susceptible cells and the third by the growth of cells refractory to infection. By fitting model predictions to the above data, we were able to estimate the threshold number of E2-CD81 complexes necessary for HCV entry into human hepatoma-derived cells. We found that depending on the E2-CD81 binding affinity, between 1 and 13 E2-CD81 complexes are necessary for HCV entry. With this estimate, our model captured data from independent experiments that employed different HCV clones and cells with distinct CD81 expression levels, indicating that the estimate is robust. Our study thus quantifies the molecular requirements of HCV entry and suggests guidelines for intervention strategies that target the E2-CD81 interaction. Further, our model presents a framework for quantitative analyses of cell culture studies now extensively employed to investigate HCV infection.