Natural cystatin C fragments inhibit GPR15-mediated HIV and SIV infection without interfering with GPR15L signaling

Abstract

Significance G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in many physiological processes and important drug targets. However, most therapeutic agents targeting GPCRs, such as the coreceptors of HIV-1 CCR5 and CXCR4, also interfere with their signaling function. Here, we used primate lentiviruses as tools to discover novel endogenous ligands of GPR15, a coreceptor for HIV-2 and SIV proposed to play a role in mucosal immunity. We found that C-terminal fragments of cystatin C generated by immune-activated proteases inhibit GPR15-mediated HIV and SIV infection without interfering with GPR15L chemokine signaling. Thus, we identified an endogenous bioactive peptide that specifically prevents the detrimental activity of a GPCR (i.e. virus infection) without compromising its physiological signaling function. GPR15 is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) proposed to play a role in mucosal immunity that also serves as a major entry cofactor for HIV-2 and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). To discover novel endogenous GPR15 ligands, we screened a hemofiltrate (HF)-derived peptide library for inhibitors of GPR15-mediated SIV infection. Our approach identified a C-terminal fragment of cystatin C (CysC95-146) that specifically inhibits GPR15-dependent HIV-1, HIV-2, and SIV infection. In contrast, GPR15L, the chemokine ligand of GPR15, failed to inhibit virus infection. We found that cystatin C fragments preventing GPR15-mediated viral entry do not interfere with GPR15L signaling and are generated by proteases activated at sites of inflammation. The antiretroviral activity of CysC95-146 was confirmed in primary CD4 + T cells and is conserved in simian hosts of SIV infection. Thus, we identified a potent endogenous inhibitor of GPR15-mediated HIV and SIV infection that does not interfere with the physiological function of this GPCR.