Selected Grantee Publications
- Clear All
- 28 results found
- Immunology
- R24
Proof-of-Concept Studies With a Computationally Designed Mpro Inhibitor as a Synergistic Combination Regimen Alternative to Paxlovid
Papini et al., PNAS. 2024.
As the spread and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 continues, it is important to continue to not only work to prevent transmission but to develop improved antiviral treatments as well. The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) has been established as a prominent druggable target. In the current study, investigators evaluate Mpro61 as a lead compound, utilizing structural studies, in vitro pharmacological profiling to examine possible off-target effects and toxicity, cellular studies, and testing in a male and female mouse model for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results indicate favorable pharmacological properties, efficacy, and drug synergy, as well as complete recovery from subsequent challenge by SARS-CoV-2, establishing Mpro61 as a promising potential preclinical candidate. Supported by ORIP (R24OD026440, S10OD021527), NIAID, and NIGMS.
SHIV-C109p5 NHP Induces Rapid Disease Progression in Elderly Macaques with Extensive GI Viral Replication
Bose et al., Journal of Virology. 2024.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38299866/
Researchers are interested in developing animal models infected with simian–human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) to better understand prevention of HIV acquisition. Researchers generated pathogenic SHIV clade C transmitted/founder stock by in vivo passage using geriatric rhesus macaques of both sexes. They reported that the infection resulted in high sustained viral loads and induced rapid pathology and wasting, necessitating euthanasia between 3 and 12 weeks post-infection. The extensive viral replication in gut and lymphoid tissues indicated a fit viral stock. This work provides a new nonhuman primate model for HIV pathogenicity and cure studies. Supported by ORIP (R24OD010947) and NIDDK.
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.
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.
Cholera Toxin B Scaffolded, Focused SIV V2 Epitope Elicits Antibodies That Influence the Risk of SIVmac251 Acquisition in Macaques
Rahman et al., Frontiers in Immunology. 2023.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37153584/
Previous work has indicated that the production of antibodies against epitopes in the V2 loop of gp120—a protein component of the viral spikes used to infiltrate host cells—correlates with protection from viral acquisition. Researchers assessed the efficacy of a simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) vaccine consisting of a V2c epitope scaffolded onto cholera toxin B in rhesus macaques of both sexes. Immunized animals generated V2c-specific antibody responses, and differences in the functional antibody and immune cell responses were observed and compared with responses in a historically protective vaccine regimen. Different responses also were observed when varying adjuvants were administered with the vaccines. Thus, full protection against SIV infection might require vaccines against multiple spike epitopes. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011104, R24OD010976) and NIAID.
IL-21-IgFc Immunotherapy Alters Transcriptional Landscape of Lymph Node Cells Leading to Enhanced Flu Vaccine Response in Aging and SIV Infection
Pallikkuth et al., Aging Cell. 2023.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37712598/
Aging is associated with increased risk of seasonal flu disease burden and serious flu-related complications, particularly for people with HIV. In this study, investigators aimed to elucidate the immunomodulation following flu vaccination in aging male and female rhesus macaques infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). Their results suggest that IL-21 treatment at the time of flu vaccination modulates the inductive lymph node germinal center activity to reverse SIV-associated immune dysfunction. The authors identified IL-21 as a potential candidate molecule for immunotherapy to enhance flu vaccine responses in affected populations. Further studies could examine the overall benefit of IL-21 immunotherapy on mucosal lung immunity and protection against infection. Supported by ORIP (R24OD010947), NIA, and NIAID.
Intradermal but Not Intramuscular Modified Vaccinia Ankara Immunizations Protect Against Intravaginal Tier2 Simian–Human Immunodeficiency Virus Challenges in Female Macaques
Bollimpelli et al., Nature Communications. 2023.
https://www.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-40430-7
Researchers have been exploring multiple strategies to develop an HIV vaccine. In this study, the investigators determined the immunogenicity and efficacy of intradermal and intramuscular routes of modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccination in female rhesus macaques. They found that both routes of MVA vaccination enabled control of viral replication, but only the intradermal vaccination was effective in protection against viral acquisition. Their findings suggest that the intradermal MVA vaccinations provide protection by modulating the innate and T helper responses. Taken together, this work underscores the importance of testing the influence of the route of immunization for HIV vaccines in humans. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011132, R24OD010976) and NIAID.
Very-Long-Chain Fatty Acids Induce Glial-Derived Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Synthesis, Secretion, and Neuroinflammation
Chung et al., Cell Metabolism. 2023.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37084732/
Very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are the most abundant fatty acids in myelin. During age‑associated degeneration of myelin, glia are exposed to increased levels of VLCFAs. Investigators previously described a novel phenotype in patients that harbors a novel variant in the peroxisomal enzyme ACOX1. Here, they report that that glial loss of ACOX1 leads to an increase of VLCFAs, which results in a concomitant increase in sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). They found that suppressing S1P function attenuates the pathological phenotypes caused by excess VLCFAs. This work suggests that lowering of VLCFAs and S1P could be applied as a treatment avenue for multiple sclerosis. Supported by ORIP (R24OD022005, R24OD031447, P40OD018537), NINDS, and NICHD
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.