Selected Grantee Publications
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- 257 results found
- Cancer
- Vaccines/Therapeutics
Induction of Durable Remission by Dual Immunotherapy in SHIV-Infected ART-Suppressed Macaques
Lim et al., Science. 2024.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38422185/
The latent viral reservoir is established within the first few days of HIV infection and remains a barrier to a clinical cure. Researchers characterized the effects of a combined Anktiva (N-803) treatment with broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) using male and female rhesus macaques infected with simian–human immunodeficiency virus infection. Their data suggest that these agents synergize to enhance CD8+ T-cell function, particularly when multiple bNAbs are used. Taken together, this work indicates that immune-mediated control of viral rebound is not a prerequisite for sustained remission after discontinuation of antiretroviral therapy and that immune-mediated control of viral rebound is achievable, sufficient, and sustainable in this model. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011106, P40OD028116, R24OD011195) and NIAID.
Tumor Explants Elucidate a Cascade of Paracrine SHH, WNT, and VEGF Signals Driving Pancreatic Cancer Angiosuppression
Hasselluhn et al., Cancer Discovery. 2024.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37966260/
This study presents a key mechanism that prevents pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) from undergoing neoangiogenesis, which affects its development, pathophysiology, metabolism, and treatment response. Using human and murine PDAC explants, which effectively retain the complex cellular interactions of native tumor tissues, and single-cell regulatory network analysis, the study identified a cascade of three paracrine pathways bridging between multiple cell types and acting sequentially, Hedgehog to WNT to VEGF, as a key suppressor of angiogenesis in KRAS-mutant PDAC cells. This study provides an experimental paradigm for dissecting higher-order cellular interactions in tissues and has implications for PDAC treatment strategies. Supported by ORIP (S10OD012351, S10OD021764), NCI, and NIDDK.
TGF-β Blockade Drives a Transitional Effector Phenotype in T Cells Reversing SIV Latency and Decreasing SIV Reservoirs In Vivo
Kim et al., Nature Communications. 2024.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38355731/
Interruption of antiretroviral therapy leads to rapid rebound of viremia due to the establishment of a persistent viral reservoir early after infection. Using a treatment regimen similar to the one tested in clinical trials, the authors show how galunisertib affects immune cell function, increases simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) reactivation, and reduces the viral reservoir in female rhesus macaques. Their findings reveal a galunisertib-driven shift toward an effector phenotype in T and natural killer cells. Taken together, this work demonstrates that galunisertib, a clinical-stage TGF-β inhibitor, reverses SIV latency and decreases SIV reservoirs by driving T cells toward an effector phenotype, enhancing immune responses in vivo in the absence of toxicity. Supported by ORIP (R24OD010947), NIAID, and NCI.
Pathogenesis and Virulence of Coronavirus Disease: Comparative Pathology of Animal Models for COVID-19
Kirk et al., Virulence. 2024.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38362881
Researchers have used animal models that can replicate clinical and pathologic features of severe human coronavirus infections to develop novel vaccines and therapeutics in humans. The purpose of this review is to describe important animal models for COVID-19, with an emphasis on comparative pathology. The highlighted species included mice, ferrets, hamsters, and nonhuman primates. Knowledge gained from studying these animal models can help inform appropriate model selection for disease modeling, as well as for vaccine and therapeutic developments. Supported by ORIP (T32OD010993) and NIAID.
Intestinal Epithelial Adaptations to Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Defined at Single-Cell Resolution
Koch-Laskowski et al., Genomics. 2024.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38309446/
Perturbations in the intestinal epithelium have been linked to the pathogenesis of metabolic disease. Bariatric procedures, such as vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), cause gut adaptations that induce robust metabolic improvements. Using a male mouse model, the authors assessed the effects of VSG on different cell lineages of the small intestinal epithelium. They show that Paneth cells display increased expression of the gut peptide Reg3g after VSG. Additionally, VSG restores pathways pertaining to mitochondrial respiration and cellular metabolism, especially within crypt-based cells. Overall, this work demonstrates how adaptations among specific cell types can affect gut epithelial homeostasis; these findings can help researchers develop targeted, less invasive treatment strategies for metabolic disease. Supported by ORIP (F30OD031914), NCI, and NIDDK.
Epigenetic MLH1 Silencing Concurs With Mismatch Repair Deficiency in Sporadic, Naturally Occurring Colorectal Cancer in Rhesus Macaques
Deycmar et al., Journal of Translational Medicine. 2024.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38504345
Rhesus macaques serve as a useful model for colorectal cancer (CRC) in humans, but more data are needed to understand the molecular pathogenesis of these cancers. Using male and female rhesus macaques, researchers investigated mismatch repair status, microsatellite instability, genetic mutations, transcriptional differences, and epigenetic alterations associated with CRC. Their data indicate that epigenetic silencing suppresses MLH1 transcription, induces the loss of MLH1 protein, abrogates mismatch repair, and drives genomic instability in naturally occurring CRC in rhesus macaques. This work provides a uniquely informative model for human CRC. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011092, R24OD010947, R24OD021324, P40OD012217, U42OD010426, T35OD010946, T32OD010957), NCATS, and NCI.
CDK4/6 Inhibition Sensitizes Intracranial Tumors to PD-1 Blockade in Preclinical Models of Brain Metastasis
Nayyer et al., Clinical Cancer Research. 2024.
Brain metastases are associated with high morbidity and are often resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this study, investigators evaluated the efficacy of combining CDKi (abemaciclib) and anti–PD-1 therapy (“combination therapy”) in mouse models for brain metastases, elucidated how combination therapy remodeled the tumor–immune microenvironment (TIME) and T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoires, and investigated the effects of CDKi on T-cell development and maintenance in NOD-scid Il2rgnull (NSG) mice engrafted with human immune systems (“humanized mice”). Results offer a strong rationale for the clinical evaluation of combination CDKi and PD-1 blockade in patients with brain metastases. Supported by ORIP (R24OD026440), NCI, and NIAID.
Targeting Pancreatic Cancer Metabolic Dependencies Through Glutamine Antagonism
Encarnación-Rosado et al., Nature Cancer. 2024.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37814010/
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells thrive in the austere, complex tumor microenvironment by reprogramming their metabolism and relying on scavenging pathways, but more work is needed to translate this knowledge into clinically relevant therapeutic interventions. Investigators demonstrated that treating PDAC cells with a Gln antagonist, 6‑diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON), caused a metabolic crisis by globally impairing Gln metabolism, resulting in a significant decrease in proliferation. They observed a profound decrease in tumor growth in several in vivo models using sirpiglenastat (DRP-104), a pro-drug version of DON that was designed to circumvent DON-associated toxicity. These proof-of-concept studies suggested that broadly targeting Gln metabolism could provide a therapeutic avenue for PDAC. Combining this therapeutic with an extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (or ERK) signaling pathway inhibitor could further improve it. Supported by ORIP (S10OD021747), NCI, and NIAID.
Cytomegalovirus Infection Facilitates the Costimulation of CD57+CD28- CD8 T Cells in HIV Infection and Atherosclerosis via the CD2–LFA-3 Axis
Winchester et al., Journal of Immunology. 2024.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38047900/
People with HIV are at increased risk of developing atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases, and HIV coinfection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) is associated with immune activation and inflammation. In this study, researchers explored the role of the CD2–LFA-3 axis in driving activation and proliferation of CD57+CD28- CD8 T cells using clinical samples from patients with or without HIV. They propose a model in which CMV infection is linked to enhanced CD2 expression on the T cells, enabling the activation via LFA-3 signals and potentially leading to cardiopathogenic interactions with vascular endothelial cells that express LFA-3. This work provides a potential therapeutic target in atherosclerosis development and progression, especially for people with HIV. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011132, U24OD011023) and NIAID.
Preclinical Safety and Biodistribution of CRISPR Targeting SIV in Non-Human Primates
Burdo et al., Gene Therapy. 2024.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11090835/
Nonhuman primates have served as a valuable resource for evaluating novel eradication and cure strategies for HIV infection. Using a male rhesus macaque model, researchers demonstrated the safety and utility of CRISPR gene-editing technology for targeting integrated simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). Their work suggests that a single intravenous inoculation for HIV gene editing can be utilized to reach viral reservoirs throughout the body. Additionally, no off-target effects or abnormal pathology were observed. Together, these findings support the continued development of HIV eradicative cure strategies using CRISPR technology in humans. Supported by ORIP (P40OD012217, U42OD021458).