Selected Grantee Publications
- Clear All
- 143 results found
- niaid
- COVID-19/Coronavirus
- Vaccines/Therapeutics
Extended Survival of 9- and 10-Gene-Edited Pig Heart Xenografts With Ischemia Minimization and CD154 Costimulation Blockade-Based Immunosuppression
Chaban et al., The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. 2024.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39097214
Heart transplantations are severely constrained from the shortage of available organs derived from human donors. Xenotransplantation of hearts from gene-edited (GE) pigs is a promising way to address this problem. Researchers evaluated GE pig hearts with varying knockouts and human transgene insertions. Human transgenes are introduced to mitigate important physiological incompatibilities between pig cells and human blood. Using a baboon heterotopic cardiac transplantation model, one female and seven male specific-pathogen-free baboons received either a 3-GE, 9-GE, or 10-GE pig heart with an immunosuppression regimen targeting CD40/CD154. Early cardiac xenograft failure with complement activation and multifocal infarcts were observed with 3-GE pig hearts, whereas 9- and 10-GE pig hearts demonstrated successful graft function and prolonged survival. These findings show that one or more transgenes of the 9- and 10-GE pig hearts with CD154 blockade provide graft protection in this preclinical model. Supported by ORIP (U42OD011140) and NIAID.
Immune Perturbation Following SHIV Infection Is Greater in Newborn Macaques Than in Infants
Shapiro et al., JCI Insight. 2024.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39190496
This study investigates immune perturbation following simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) infection in newborn and infant male and female rhesus macaques, highlighting significant differences in pathogenesis. Although plasma viremia and lymph node viral DNA were similar, newborns exhibited higher viral DNA levels in gut and lymphoid tissues 6–10 weeks postinfection than infants. Additionally, newborns showed greater immune alterations, with skewed monocyte and CD8+ T-cell profiles and minimal type I interferon responses. These findings suggest age-dependent immunological responses to SHIV and underscore the vulnerability of newborns to HIV-related pathogenesis, providing insights into immune development and pediatric HIV management. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011092, U42OD023038, U42OD010426) and NIAID.
Effect of Metabolic Status on Response to SIV Infection and Antiretroviral Therapy in Nonhuman Primates
Webb et al., JCI Insight. 2024.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39115937
This study examines how metabolic health influences the efficacy of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Using lean and obese male rhesus macaques, researchers explored the progression of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection. Obese macaques with metabolic dysfunction experienced more rapid disease progression and had a diminished response to ART than lean macaques. This study suggests metabolic health plays a significant role in HIV progression and treatment outcomes, highlighting the importance of managing metabolic conditions in people with HIV. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011092, S10OD025002), NIAID, and NIDDK.
Engineered Deletions of HIV Replicate Conditionally to Reduce Disease in Nonhuman Primates
Pitchai et al., Science. 2024.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39116226/
Current antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV is limited by the necessity for continuous administration. Discontinuation of ART leads to viral rebound. A therapeutic interfering particle (TIP) was developed as a novel single-administration HIV therapy using defective interfering particles. TIP treatment in two humanized mouse models demonstrated a significant reduction in HIV viral load. TIP intervention was completed 24 hours prior to a highly pathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) challenge in a nonhuman primate (NHP) rhesus macaque infant model. Compared to untreated SIV infection, NHPs that received TIP treatment displayed no visible signs of SIV-induced AIDS and exhibited improved seroconversion and a significant survival advantage to the 30-week clinical endpoint. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from HIV-infected patients showed that TIP treatment reduced HIV outgrowth. This study demonstrates the potential use of a single-administration TIP for HIV treatment. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011092, U42OD010426), NCI, NIAID, and NIDA.
Cytomegalovirus Vaccine Vector-Induced Effector Memory CD4+ T cells Protect Cynomolgus Macaques From Lethal Aerosolized Heterologous Avian Influenza Challenge
Malouli et al., Nature Communications. 2024.
Development of a universal influenza vaccine that protects against seasonal strains and future pandemic influenza viruses is a necessity because of the limited efficacy of current influenza vaccines. Researchers developed a cynomolgus macaque β-herpesvirus cytomegalovirus (CyCMV) vaccine that targets the highly conserved proteins in influenza viruses. Male and female Mauritian-origin cynomolgus macaques (MCM) were vaccinated and boosted with the CyCMV vaccine prior to being challenged with small-particle aerosols containing highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). MCMs receiving the CyCMV vaccine still presented with fever and pulmonary infiltration but demonstrated significant protection against HPAI-induced mortality. Unvaccinated MCMs challenged with HPAI did not survive. Survival was correlated with the magnitude of influenza-specific CD4+ T cells prior to infection. These results demonstrate the efficacy of a novel vaccine that protects against HPAI through a CD4 T cell–mediated response. Supported by ORIP (P51OD010425, P51OD011092) and NIAID.
Administration of Anti-HIV-1 Broadly Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies With Increased Affinity to Fcγ Receptors During Acute SHIV AD8-EO Infection
Dias et al., Nature Communications. 2024.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51848-y
Anti-HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) mediate virus neutralization and antiviral effector functions through Fab and Fc domains, respectively. This study investigated the efficacy of wild-type (WT) bNAbs and modified bNAbs with enhanced affinity for Fcγ receptors (S239D/I332E/A330L [DEL]) after acute simian-HIVAD8-EO (SHIVAD8-EO) infection in male and female rhesus macaques. The emergence of the virus in the plasma and lymph nodes occurred earlier in macaques given DEL bNAbs than in those given WT bNAbs. Overall, the administration of DEL bNAbs revealed higher levels of immune responses. The results suggest that bNAbs with an enhanced Fcγ receptor affinity offer a potential therapeutic strategy by targeting HIV more effectively during early infection stages. Supported by ORIP (P40OD028116), NCI, and NIAID.
Comparison of the Immunogenicity of mRNA-Encoded and Protein HIV-1 Env-ferritin Nanoparticle Designs
Mu et al., Journal of Virology. 2024.
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jvi.00137-24
Inducing broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against HIV-1 remains a challenge because of immune system limitations. This study compared the immunogenicity of mRNA-encoded membrane-bound envelope (Env) gp160 to HIV-1 Env-ferritin nanoparticle (NP) technology in inducing anti-HIV-1 bNAbs. Membrane-bound mRNA encoding gp160 was more immunogenic than the Env-ferritin NP design in DH270 UCA KI mice, but at lower doses. These results suggest further analysis of mRNA design expression and low-dose immunogenicity studies are necessary for anti-HIV-1 bNAbs. Supported by ORIP (P40OD012217, U42OD021458) and NIAID.
Understanding Early HIV-1 Rebound Dynamics Following Antiretroviral Therapy Interruption: The Importance of Effector Cell Expansion
Phan et al., PLOS Pathogens. 2024.
https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1012236
Researchers developed dynamic models of virus–immune interactions, building on a prior theoretical framework, to investigate the dynamics of HIV-1 rebound following antiretroviral therapy (ART). These models were evaluated using viral load data from 24 patients (sex not specified) following ART interruption. Of these models, the best-performing model highlighted that individuals with a higher effector cell expansion rate maintain viral remission for extended periods post-ART. The findings indicate that effector cell expansion plays a critical role in viral rebound control. These results suggest the potential for viral dynamic models to predict and understand HIV-1 rebound after ART interruption, contributing to the development of targeted HIV treatment strategies. Supported by ORIP (R01OD011095) and NIAID.
Dual Blockade of IL-10 and PD-1 Leads to Control of SIV Viral Rebound Following Analytical Treatment Interruption
Pereira Ribeiro et al., Nature Immunology. 2024.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39266691
Pereira Ribeiro et al. tested a hypothesis that blockading two immune molecules, IL-10 and PD‑1, following treatment interruption could help control viral rebound in antiretroviral therapy (ART)–treated rhesus macaques infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), a nonhuman analogue of HIV. When measured at 24 weeks following treatment interruption, durable control of viral rebound was seen in 9 of 10 combo-treated macaques. The investigators also found that they could predict the control of viral rebound based on the induction of inflammatory cytokines, proliferation of effector CD8+ T cells, and reduced expression of BCL-2 in CD4+ T cells prior to treatment interruption. These results could provide a way to achieve long-lasting control of HIV infection after discontinuing ART. Supported by ORIP (U42OD011023, P51OD011132), NCI, and NIAID.