HIV-1 envelope protein binds to and signals through integrin α₄β₇, the gut mucosal homing receptor for peripheral T cells

Infection with human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) results in the dissemination of virus to gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Subsequently, HIV-1 mediates massive depletion of gut CD4⁺ T cells, which contributes to HIV-1-induced immune dysfunction. The migration of lymphocytes to gut-associated lymphoid tissue is mediated by integrin α₄β₇. We demonstrate here that the HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 bound to an activated form of α₄β₇. This interaction was mediated by a tripeptide in the V2 loop of gp120, a peptide motif that mimics structures presented by the natural ligands of alpha;₄ β₇. On CD4⁺ T cells, engagement of alpha;₄ β₇ by gp120 resulted in rapid activation of LFA-1, the central integrin involved in the establishment of virological synapses, which facilitate efficient cell-to-cell spreading of HIV-1.