Selected Grantee Publications
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- Alzheimer's Disease
- Vaccines/Therapeutics
Antiretroviral Therapy Ameliorates Simian Immunodeficiency Virus–Associated Myocardial Inflammation by Dampening Interferon Signaling and Pathogen Response in the Heart
Robinson et al., The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2023.
https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiad105
HIV is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Using RNA sequencing, investigators characterized the effects of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection on the hearts of male rhesus macaques. They demonstrated that SIV infection drives a canonical antiviral response in the heart, as well as dysregulation of genes involved in fatty acid shuttling and metabolism. Their findings suggest that antiretroviral therapy helps mitigate immune activation during viremic conditions and plays a cardioprotective role. Future studies are needed to assess the long-term effects of these dynamics. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011104), NIAID, NIMH, and NINDS.
Diverse Targets of SMN2-Directed Splicing-Modulating Small Molecule Therapeutics for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Ottesen et al., Nucleic Acids Research. 2023.
https://academic.oup.com/nar/article/51/12/5948/7110763?login=true
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) results from deletions or mutations of the SMN1 gene. SMN2 is a nearly identical copy of SMN1 but cannot compensate for its loss. Manipulation of splicing to restore SMN2 exon 7 inclusion provides a promising therapeutic avenue for SMA, and two small-molecule agents—risdiplam and branaplam—restore body-wide inclusion of the SMN2 exon 7 upon oral administration. In this study, researchers demonstrate the advantages of combined treatments with low doses of risdiplam and branaplam. These findings can be applied to develop the next generation of small‑molecule therapeutics, with a focus on better efficacies and fewer off-target effects. Supported by ORIP (T35OD027967) and NINDS.
A Comprehensive Drosophila Resource to Identify Key Functional Interactions Between SARS-CoV-2 Factors and Host Proteins
Guichard et al., Cell Reports. 2023.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37480566/
To address how interactions between SARS-CoV-2 factors and host proteins affect COVID-19 symptoms, including long COVID, and facilitate developing effective therapies against SARS-CoV-2 infections, researchers reported the generation of a comprehensive set of resources, mainly genetic stocks and a human cDNA library, for studying viral–host interactions in Drosophila. Researchers further demonstrated the utility of these resources and showed that the interaction between NSP8, a SARS-CoV-2 factor, and ATE1 arginyltransferase, a host factor, causes actin arginylation and cytoskeleton disorganization, which may be relevant to several pathogenesis processes (e.g., coagulation, cardiac inflammation, fibrosis, neural damage). Supported by ORIP (R24OD028242, R24OD022005, R24OD031447), NIAID, NICHD, NIGMS, and NINDS.
Allogeneic Immunity Clears Latent Virus Following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in SIV-Infected ART-Suppressed Macaques
Wu et al., Immunity. 2023.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2023.04.019
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) has been documented as curative for HIV, but the mechanisms are not yet known. Using Mauritian cynomolgus macaques of both sexes, researchers performed reduced-intensity alloHSCT experiments to define the individual contributions of allogeneic immunity and CCR5 deficiency to an alloHSCT-mediated HIV cure. They reported that allogeneic immunity was the major driver of reservoir clearance, mediating graft-versus-reservoir effects in HIV infection. Their results also point to a protective mechanism for CCR5 deficiency early during engraftment. Future efforts could focus on harnessing the beneficial effects of allogeneic immunity while avoiding graft-versus-host disease. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011092) and NIAID.
Osteopontin Is an Integral Mediator of Cardiac Interstitial Fibrosis in Models of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Robinson et al., The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2023.
https://www.doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiad149
HIV infection is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Plasma osteopontin (Opn) is correlated with cardiac pathology, but more work is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms driving cardiac fibrosis. Researchers explored this topic using mouse embryonic fibroblasts, male macaques, and humanized mice of both sexes. They reported the accumulation of Opn in the heart with simian immunodeficiency virus infection. Systemic inhibition of Opn can prevent HIV-associated interstitial fibrosis in the left ventricle. These findings suggest that Opn could be a potential target for adjunctive therapies to reduce cardiac fibrosis in people with HIV. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011104), NIAID, NHLBI, NIMH, and NINDS.
Sequential Intrahost Evolution and Onward Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Gonzalez-Reiche et al., Nature Communications. 2023.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10239218/
Most patients with COVID-19 clear the virus upon resolution of acute infection, but a subset of immunocompromised individuals develop persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections. In this study, investigators describe sequential persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections in three individuals that led to the emergence, forward transmission, and continued evolution of the Omicron BA.1 variant Omicron BA.1.23. The study demonstrated that in the presence of suboptimal immune responses, persistent viral replication is an important driver of SARS-CoV-2 diversification. This and other studies also highlight that strategies to prevent virus persistence and shedding and more effective therapies are needed to limit the spread of newly emerging, neutralization-resistant variants in vulnerable patients. Supported by ORIP (S10OD026880, S10OD030463), NIAID, and NCATS.
p38MAPKα Stromal Reprogramming Sensitizes Metastatic Breast Cancer to Immunotherapy
Faget et al., Cancer Discovery. 2023.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10238649/
This study emphasizes the importance of the metastatic tumor microenvironment in metastatic breast cancer growth and the identification of effective antimetastatic therapies. Using a stromal labeling approach and single-cell RNA sequencing, the authors showed that a combination of p38MAPK inhibition (p38i) and anti-OX40 synergistically reduced metastatic tumor growth and increased overall survival. Further engagement of cytotoxic T cells cured all metastatic disease in mice and produced durable immunologic memory. The Cancer Genome Atlas data analysis revealed that patients with p38i metastatic stromal signature and a high tumor mutational burden (TMB) had increased overall survival. These findings suggest that patients with high TMB would benefit the most from the p38i plus anti-OX40 approach. Supported by ORIP (S10OD028483), NIA, NCI, and NIGMS.
Brain Microglia Serve as a Persistent HIV Reservoir Despite Durable Antiretroviral Therapy
Tang et al., The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2023.
https://www.doi.org/10.1172/JCI167417
Brain microglia are likely to play a role in rebound viremia following the cessation of antiretroviral therapy, but more work is needed to fully understand HIV persistence in the central nervous system (CNS). The investigators developed a protocol to isolate highly pure populations of brain myeloid cells and microglia from the tissues of male rhesus macaques, as well as from rapid autopsies of men and women with HIV. Their observations support the concept that brain microglia are a stable reservoir of quiescent infection. Thus, this work provides a physiologically relevant platform for studies of the biology of CNS reservoirs. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011132), NIAID, and NIMH.
Lymph-Node-Based CD3+ CD20+ Cells Emerge From Membrane Exchange Between T Follicular Helper Cells and B Cells and Increase Their Frequency Following Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Samer et al., Journal of Virology. 2023.
https://www.doi.org/10.1128/jvi.01760-22
CD4+ T follicular helper cells are known to persist during antiretroviral therapy (ART) and have been identified as key targets for viral replication and persistence. Researchers identified a lymphocyte population that expresses CD3 (i.e., T cell lineage marker) and CD20 (i.e., B cell lineage marker) on the cellular surface in lymphoid tissues from rhesus macaques of both sexes and humans of male and female sexes. In macaques, the cells increased following simian immunodeficiency virus infection, were reduced with ART, and increased in frequency after ART interruption. These cells represent a potential area for future therapeutic strategies. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011132, U42OD011023), NIAID, NCI, NIDDK, NIDA, NHLBI, and NINDS.
Efficient Ex Vivo Expansion of Conserved Element Vaccine-Specific CD8+ T Cells from SHIV-Infected, ART-Suppressed Nonhuman Primates
Dross et al., Frontiers in Immunology. 2023.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10189133/
HIV-specific T cells are necessary for control of HIV-1 replication but are largely insufficient for viral clearance. Using male rhesus macaques, investigators sought to increase the frequency of specific T cell responses in vivo using an ex vivo cell manufacturing approach. The resulting products contained high frequencies of specific, polyfunctional T cells, but no significant differences in T cell persistence were observed, nor was acquisition of simian–human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV). This work underscores this animal model as an important approach to optimize the manufacturing of antigen-specific immune effectors that can prevent virus acquisition and control viral rebound after discontinuing antiretroviral therapy (ART). Supported by ORIP (P51OD010425, U42OD011123), NIAID, and NCI.