Selected Grantee Publications

CAR/CXCR5–T Cell Immunotherapy Is Safe and Potentially Efficacious in Promoting Sustained Remission of SIV Infection

Pampusch et al., PLOS Pathogens. 2022.

https://www.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1009831

HIV and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) replication are concentrated within the B cell follicles of secondary lymphoid tissues. In this study, the researchers developed immunotherapeutic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells that home to follicles and clear SIV-infected cells in a rhesus macaque model. The CAR T cells localized to the follicle, replicated, and interacted directly with infected cells. Most of the treated animals maintained lower viral loads in the blood and follicles, compared to control animals. These findings demonstrate the safety and potential efficacy of this immunotherapy approach for long-term remission of HIV without requiring the lifelong use of antiretroviral therapy. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011106), NIAID, and NHLBI.