Soluble CD4 inhibits Ebola virus infection by targeting endosomal receptor-binding site

Human CD4 (cluster of differentiation 4) is well known as the primary receptor for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) entry into the cells. The virus binds to CD4 molecules to induce a conformational change in the viral glycoprotein (GP) gp120, which exposes the co-receptor binding site for coreceptors CCR5 or CXCR4. The co-receptor binding then leads to membrane fusion for viral entry. Since the CD4 molecule has a high affinity for gp120, soluble CD4 (sCD4) and CD4-mimetic small molecules (CD4mcs) have been extensively studied as potential inhibitors for HIV infection. Surprisingly, we have found that human sCD4 and some CD4mcs are able to inhibit Ebola virus (EBOV) infection. Evidence is provided that the compounds block viral entry by targeting the GP binding site for the endosomal receptor Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1). This finding reveals virus-receptor binding similarities between two remote viruses (HIV and EBOV) and suggests new possibilities for EBOV entry inhibitors.

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Publication Details

Journal
iScience
Published
2025-05-02
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2025.112573
Primary Topic
Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Soluble CD4 inhibits Ebola virus infection by targeting endosomal receptor-binding site

Michael R. Holbrook, Justin J. Patten, Brett Eaton, Javier Seravalli et al.
iScience
Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
article

Soluble CD4 inhibits Ebola virus infection by targeting endosomal receptor-binding site

Michael R. Holbrook, Justin J. Patten, Brett Eaton, Javier Seravalli, Robert A. Davey, Patrick T. Keiser, Shi-Hua Xiang, Derek Yang, Dirk Anderson, Amos B. Smith, Leah Liu Wang, Yi Liu
article en

Abstract

Human CD4 (cluster of differentiation 4) is well known as the primary receptor for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) entry into the cells. The virus binds to CD4 molecules to induce a conformational change in the viral glycoprotein (GP) gp120, which exposes the co-receptor binding site for coreceptors CCR5 or CXCR4. The co-receptor binding then leads to membrane fusion for viral entry. Since the CD4 molecule has a high affinity for gp120, soluble CD4 (sCD4) and CD4-mimetic small molecules (CD4mcs) have been extensively studied as potential inhibitors for HIV infection. Surprisingly, we have found that human sCD4 and some CD4mcs are able to inhibit Ebola virus (EBOV) infection. Evidence is provided that the compounds block viral entry by targeting the GP binding site for the endosomal receptor Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1). This finding reveals virus-receptor binding similarities between two remote viruses (HIV and EBOV) and suggests new possibilities for EBOV entry inhibitors.

iScienceVol. 28(6)
Boston University (US), University of Nebraska–Lincoln (US), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (US), University of Pennsylvania (US)
Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Zero hunger
Openalex Percentile: Top 88%
Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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