CD4-independent infection by HIV-2 is mediated by fusin/CXCR4

Several members of the Chemokine Receptor family have been shown to function in association with CD4 to permit HIV-1 entry and Infection. However, the mechanism by which these molecules serve as CD4-associated cofactors is unclear. In the present report, we show that one member of this family, termed Fusin/ CXCR4, is able to function as an alternative receptor for some isolates of HIV-2 in the absence of CD4. This conclusion is supported by the finding that (1) CD4-independent Infection by these viruses is inhibited by an anti-Fusin monoclonal antibody, (2) Fusin expression renders human and nonhuman CD4-negative cell lines sensitive to HIV-2-induced syncytium induction and/or Infection, and (3) Fusin is selectively down-regulated from the cell surface following HIV-2 Infection. The finding that one Chemokine Receptor can function as a primary viral receptor strongly suggests that the HIV envelope glycoprotein contains a binding site for these proteins and that differences in the affinity and/or the availability of this site can extend the host range of these viruses to include a number of CD4-negative cell types.