Early infection HIV-1 envelope V1-V2 genotypes do not enhance binding or replication in cells expressing high levels of α4β7 integrin.

It has been postulated that HIV-1 envelope properties, such as shorter and less glycosylated V1-V2 loops commonly observed among non-subtype B early – transmitted viruses, promote utilization of the gut homing integrin α4β7. This property potentially confers an advantage to some HIV-1 variants early after acquisition. We found that replication competent recombinant viruses incorporating HIV-1 subtype A compact and less glycosylated early versus chronic phase V1-V2 loops demonstrated no significant difference in binding to α4β7 high CD8+ T cells or replication in α4β7 high CD4+ T cells. Integrin α4β7 usage does not select for shorter less glycosylated envelopes during transmission.