Selected Grantee Publications
Prior Infection With SARS-CoV-2 WA1/2020 Partially Protects Rhesus Macaques Against Re-Infection With B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 Variants
Chandrashekar et al., Science Translational Medicine. 2021.
https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.abj2641
Using the rhesus macaque model, researchers addressed whether natural immunity induced by the original SARS-CoV-2 WA1/2020 strain protects against re-challenge with B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, known as the alpha and beta variants of concern, respectively. The investigators infected rhesus macaques with WA1/2020 and re-challenged them on day 35 with WA1/2020 or with the alpha or beta variants. Natural immunity to WA1/2020 led to robust protection against re-challenge with WA1/2020, partial protection against beta, and an intermediate degree of protection against alpha. These findings have important implications for vaccination and public health strategies in the context of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011106) and NCI.
Improving Rigor and Reproducibility in Nonhuman Primate Research
Bliss-Moreau et al., American Journal of Primatology. 2021.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8629848/
Investigators across interdisciplinary fields consider approaches to enhance rigor and producibility in nonhuman primate (NHP) research. Given their similarity to humans, NHPs are often the animal model of choice for translational/preclinical biomedical research. However, availability of NHPs is limited. Hence, increased rigor is required to maximize the information gained from NHP studies. The co-authors consider approaches, such as, normative protocols, preregistration, data sharing, and how more extensive training in biostatics can enhance rigorous research in NHPs across biomedical disciplines. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011107, P51OD011106, P51OD011132, P51OD010425, P51OD011104, P51OD011092, and P51OD011133).
A Large Repertoire of B Cell Lineages Targeting One Cluster of Epitopes in a Vaccinated Rhesus Macaque
Li et al., Vaccine. 2021.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X21010355?via%3Dihub=
A rhesus macaque that was serially immunized six times with the 8-mer epitope for human monoclonal antibody (mAb) 447-52D—specific to the V3 region of gp120 HIV-1—provided a rare opportunity to study the repertoire of antibodies produced upon vaccination against a particular antigenic site. From a blood sample taken 3 weeks after the last immunization, researchers produced 41 V3-specific recombinant mAbs by single B cell isolation and cloning. Sequence analysis revealed 21 B cell lineages (single and clonally related). The broad repertoire of Abs directed to a small antigenic site shows the targeting potency of a vaccine-elicited immune response in rhesus macaques. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011092, U42OD010246) and NIAID.
PD-1 Blockade and Vaccination Provide Therapeutic Benefit Against SIV by Inducing Broad and Functional CD8+ T Cells in Lymphoid Tissue
Rahman et al., Science Immunology. 2021.
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciimmunol.abh3034
Effective HIV therapies must induce functional CD8+ T cells and clear latent viral reservoirs during antiretroviral therapy (ART). Using a rhesus macaque model, researchers showed that therapeutic vaccination under ART using a CD40L plus TLR7 agonist-adjuvanted DNA/modified vaccinia Ankara vaccine regimen induced robust SIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. Addition of an anti-PD-1 antibody to the SIV vaccine increased cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in lymph nodes after ART interruption, correlating to the control of virus and prolonged survival compared with the vaccine alone. Thus, combining immune checkpoint blockade with vaccination may be a promising avenue toward an HIV cure. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011132) and NIAID.
Neuropeptide S Receptor 1 is a Nonhormonal Treatment Target in Endometriosis
Tapmeier et al., Science Translational Medicine. 2021.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34433639
Investigators analyzed genetic sequences of humans (n=32 families) and pedigree rhesus macaques (n=849) with spontaneous endometriosis to uncover potential targets for treatment. Target associations indicated a common insertion/deletion variant in NPSR1, the gene encoding neuropeptide S receptor 1. Immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR, and flow cytometry experiments indicated NPSR1 was expressed in the glandular epithelium of eutopic and ectopic endometrium. In a mouse model for endometriosis, an inhibitor of NPSR1-mediated signaling blocked proinflammatory TNFα release, monocyte chemotaxis, and inflammatory cell infiltrate. Further studies in nonhuman primates are needed; however, these results provide support for a nonhormonal treatment of endometriosis. Supported by ORIP (R24OD011173, P51OD011106).
Blocking α4β7 Integrin Delays Viral Rebound in SHIVSF162P3-Infected Macaques Treated with Anti-HIV Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies
Frank et al., Science Translational Medicine. 2021.
https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.abf7201
To explore therapeutic potentials of combining anti-HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) with α4β7 integrin blockade using the monoclonal antibody Rh-α4β7, investigators treated SHIVSF162P3-infected, viremic macaques with bNAbs only or bNAbs and Rh-α4β7. Treatment with bNAbs alone decreased viremia below 200 copies/ml in eight out of eight macaques, but seven of the monkeys rebounded within 3 weeks. In contrast, three of six macaques treated with both Rh-α4β7 and bNAbs maintained viremia below 200 copies/ml for 21 weeks, whereas three of those monkeys rebounded after 6 weeks. These findings suggest that α4β7 integrin blockade may prolong virologic control by bNAbs in SHIVSF162P3-infected macaques. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011104, U42OD010568, U42OD024282, P40OD028116), NIAID, and NCI.
Effects of Early Daily Alcohol Exposure on Placental Function and Fetal Growth in a Rhesus Macaque Model
Lo et al., American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2021.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002937821008309?via%3Dihub=
In a rhesus macaque model for chronic prenatal alcohol exposure, daily consumption during early pregnancy significantly diminished placental perfusion at mid to late gestation and significantly decreased the oxygen supply to the fetal vasculature throughout pregnancy. These findings were associated with the presence of microscopic placental infarctions. Although placental adaptations may compensate for early environmental perturbations to fetal growth, placental blood flow and oxygenation were reduced, consistent with the evidence of placental ischemic injury that persisted throughout pregnancy. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011092), NICHD, and NIAAA.
Cytomegalovirus Mediates Expansion of IL-15-Responsive Innate-Memory Cells with SIV Killing Function
Méndez-Lagares et al., Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2021.
https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI148542
Researchers investigated the effects of rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) on the immune system in young rhesus macaques to determine if it could modulate the protection mediated by RhCMV-vectored vaccines. RhCMV was associated with dramatic changes in antigen presenting cells, T cells, and NK cells and marked expansion of innate-memory CD8+ T cells via host interleukin-15 (IL-15) production. The researchers also investigated immune changes following administration of RhCMV 68-1–vectored SIV vaccines, which led to expansion of CD8+ T cells with capacity to inhibit SIV replication ex vivo. These results suggest that innate-memory expansion could be achieved by other vaccine platforms expressing IL-15. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011107) and NIAID.
Previous Exposure to Dengue Virus Is Associated with Increased Zika Virus Burden at the Maternal-Fetal Interface in Rhesus Macaques
Crooks et al., PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2021.
https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0009641
Pre-existing immunity to dengue virus (DENV) results in antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) among DENV serotypes; Zika virus (ZIKV) has homology with DENV suggesting pre-existing DENV immunity may have an impact on ZIKV pathogenesis during pregnancy. In a rhesus macaque model, prior DENV-2 exposure resulted in a higher burden of ZIKV viral RNA in maternal-fetal interface tissues as compared to DENV-naive macaques. However, pre-existing DENV immunity had no detectable impact on ZIKV replication kinetics in maternal plasma; all pregnancies progressed to term without adverse outcomes at delivery. Investigating potential ADE in pregnant women is important as vaccines against DENV and ZIKV are developed. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011106) and NIAID.
A Yeast Expressed RBD-Based SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Formulated with 3M-052-alum Adjuvant Promotes Protective Efficacy in Non-Human Primates
Pino et al., Science Immunology. 2021.
https://immunology.sciencemag.org/content/6/61/eabh3634
Using a rhesus macaque model (n=5 males per group), investigators tested a receptor binding domain (RBD) recombinant protein formulation COVID-19 vaccine candidate combined with an aluminum-based formulation of 3M’s Toll-like receptor 7 and 8 agonist 3M-052 (3M-052/Alum) and found the RBD+3M-052/Alum formulation produced a superior overall immune response than RBD+alum alone as demonstrated by higher SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies, improved Th1 biased CD4+ T cell reactions, and increased CD8+ T cell responses. Collectively, these data suggest that the RBD+3M-052-alum formulation provides robust immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 and supports the development of this potential effective and easy to scale COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011132) and NIAID.