Wen  Yuan
Degree(s): PhD
Graduate School: Cornell University
Primary Appointment: Assistant Professor, Medicine, Infectious Diseases and International Health
Research Interests:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Website: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/thaler/home.cfm
Email Address: wy5e@virginia.edu
Research Description

The HIV-1 infection is initiated by the sequential binding of the viral envelope glycoproteins (Envs) to the two cellular receptors, CD4 and a chemokine co-receptor, typically either CCR5 or CXCR4. Receptor binding triggers conformational changes in HIV-1 Envs that result in the fusion of the viral and target cell membranes. The ability of HIV-1 Envs to undergo conformational rearrangement is essential for their function in promoting virus entry, and also contributes to escaping from neutralizing antibodies. As the sole viral component on the virion surface, HIV-1 Envs serve as attractive targets in the development of prophylactic approach, including vaccine. An understanding of the structure and the conformational states of HIV-1 Envs is critical to rational attempts to design inhibitors and vaccines. The research in our laboratory is currently focused on:

  • HIV-1 entry into target cells.
  • The nature and biological relevance of the conformational states sampled by HIV-1 Envs.
  • The interactions of gp120 and gp41 that contribute to exposure of CCR5 chemokine co-receptor binding site on HIV-1 Envs.
  • HIV/AIDS subunit vaccine development.
  • HIV-1 subtypes in relation to pathogenesis, transmission, and disease progression.
  • HIV-1 coreceptor tropism in association to disease progression in Sepsis patients in Uganda.

Selected Publications
  • Yuan W, Li X, Kasterka M, Gorny MK, Zolla-Pazner S and Sodroski J. Oligomer-specific conformations of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) gp41 envelope glycoprotein ectodomain recognized by human monoclonal antibodies. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2009; 25:319-28.
  • Yuan W, Bazick J and Sodroski J. Characterization of the multiple conformational states of free monomeric and trimeric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoproteins after fixation by crosslinker. J Virol 2006; 80:8725-37.
  • Yuan W, Craig S, Yang X and Sodroski J. Inter-subunit disulfide bonds in soluble HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimers. Virology 2005; 332:369-83.
  • Yuan W, Craig S, Si Z, Farzan M and Sodroski J. CD4-induced T-20 binding to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120 blocks interaction with the CXCR4 coreceptor. J Virol 2004; 78:5448-57.
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    Contact Information
      Office Address: PO Box 801340 Carter-Harrison Bldg 1710, 
      Office Phone: +1 434-243-2705
      Fax Phone: +1 434-924-0075

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