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Kijak GH, Sanders-Buell E, Chenine AL, Eller MA, Goonetilleke N, Thomas R, Leviyang S, Harbolick EA, Bose M, Pham P, Oropeza C, Poltavee K, O’Sullivan AM, Billings E, Merbah M, Costanzo MC, Warren JA, Slike B, Li H, Peachman KK, Fischer W, Gao F, Cicala C, Arthos J, Eller LA, O’Connell RJ, Sinei S, Maganga L, Kibuuka H, Nitayaphan S, Rao M, Marovich MA, Krebs SJ, Rolland M, Korber BT, Shaw GM, Michael NL, Robb ML, Tovanabutra S, Kim JH. Rare HIV-1 transmitted/founder lineages identified by deep viral sequencing contribute to rapid shifts in dominant quasispecies during acute and early infection. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006510. [PMID: 28759651 PMCID: PMC5552316 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to inform the rational design of HIV-1 preventive and cure interventions it is critical to understand the events occurring during acute HIV-1 infection (AHI). Using viral deep sequencing on six participants from the early capture acute infection RV217 cohort, we have studied HIV-1 evolution in plasma collected twice weekly during the first weeks following the advent of viremia. The analysis of infections established by multiple transmitted/founder (T/F) viruses revealed novel viral profiles that included: a) the low-level persistence of minor T/F variants, b) the rapid replacement of the major T/F by a minor T/F, and c) an initial expansion of the minor T/F followed by a quick collapse of the same minor T/F to low frequency. In most participants, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) escape was first detected at the end of peak viremia downslope, proceeded at higher rates than previously measured in HIV-1 infection, and usually occurred through the exploration of multiple mutational pathways within an epitope. The rapid emergence of CTL escape variants suggests a strong and early CTL response. Minor T/F viral strains can contribute to rapid and varied profiles of HIV-1 quasispecies evolution during AHI. Overall, our results demonstrate that early, deep, and frequent sampling is needed to investigate viral/host interaction during AHI, which could help identify prerequisites for prevention and cure of HIV-1 infection.
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Trinh HV, Pham P, Hamlin C, Bose M, Tovanabutra S, Kijak G, Sanders-Buell E, Eller LA, Alving CR, Kim JH, Michael NL, Robb ML, Rao M. Antibody responses induced to the C1 region of HIV-1 gp120 in acute HIV-1 infection and after vaccination. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.198.supp.122.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Based on the analysis of secondary immune correlates, the RV144 phase III trial demonstrated a reduced risk of infection in vaccine recipients with high levels of ADCC activity and low HIV-1 Env specific plasma IgA antibodies (Abs). Ab responses to the HIV-1 Env constant 1 (C1) region constituted the dominant ADCC Ab response. To further explore the binding Ab profiles and determine differences in the Ab responses to the C1 region (100 amino acids) induced by vaccine versus natural HIV-1 infection, plasma samples from an early acute HIV-1 infection Thai cohort (RV217) and a phase II clinical trial, RV135 (ALVAC prime and gp120 SF2/CM235 boost adjuvanted with MF59) were evaluated by Biacore. Based on the sequencing data from 16 RV217 individuals at 3 time points (week 1, weeks 4–6 and weeks 21–27 post infection), consensus 40-mer C1 peptides with 10-mer-overlapping amino acid sequences were initially screened for binding responses in RV217 and RV135 plasma samples. This was then followed with 16-mer peptides with 8-mer overlapping amino acid sequences to match the viral sequences in individual RV217 patients at these 3 time points. Vaccinees (RV135) induced Ab responses that recognized linear C1 peptides spanning amino acids 31-46, 55-70, 61-76, 77-92, and 85-100, whereas HIV-1 infected individuals (RV217) recognized linear C1 peptides spanning amino acids 1-16, 55-70, and 77-92. Future experiments will examine the functional role of these C1-specific Abs, in particular ADCC activity.
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Billings E, Sanders-Buell E, Bose M, Kijak GH, Bradfield A, Crossler J, Arroyo MA, Maboko L, Hoffmann O, Geis S, Birx DL, Kim JH, Michael NL, Robb ML, Hoelscher M, Tovanabutra S. HIV-1 Genetic Diversity Among Incident Infections in Mbeya, Tanzania. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2017; 33:373-381. [PMID: 27841669 PMCID: PMC5372774 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2016.0111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In preparation for vaccine trials, HIV-1 genetic diversity was surveyed between 2002 and 2006 through the Cohort Development study in the form of a retrospective and prospective observational study in and around the town of Mbeya in Tanzania's Southwest Highlands. This study describes the molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 strains obtained from 97 out of 106 incident HIV-1 infections identified in three subpopulations of participants (one rural, two urban) from the Mbeya area. Near full-genome or half-genome sequencing showed a subtype distribution of 40% C, 17% A1, 1% D, and 42% inter-subtype recombinants. Compared to viral subtyping results previously obtained from the retrospective phase of this study, the overall proportion of incident viral strains did not change greatly during the study course, suggesting maturity of the epidemic. A comparison to a current Phase I-II vaccine being tested in Africa shows ∼17% amino acid sequence difference between the gp120 of the vaccine and subtype C incident strains. Phylogenetic and recombinant breakpoint analysis of the incident strains revealed the emergence of CRF41_CD and many unique recombinants, as well as the presence of six local transmission networks most of which were confined to the rural subpopulation. In the context of vaccine cohort selection, these results suggest distinct infection transmission dynamics within these three geographically close subpopulations. The diversity and genetic sequences of the HIV-1 strains obtained during this study will greatly contribute to the planning, immunogen selection, and analysis of vaccine-induced immune responses observed during HIV-1 vaccine trials in Tanzania and neighboring countries.
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Heipertz RA, Ayemoba O, Sanders-Buell E, Poltavee K, Pham P, Kijak GH, Lei E, Bose M, Howell S, O'Sullivan AM, Bates A, Cervenka T, Kuroiwa J, Akintunde A, Ibezim O, Alabi A, Okoye O, Manak M, Malia J, Peel S, Maisaka M, Singer D, O’Connell RJ, Robb ML, Kim JH, Michael NL, Njoku O, Tovanabutra S. Significant contribution of subtype G to HIV-1 genetic complexity in Nigeria identified by a newly developed subtyping assay specific for subtype G and CRF02_AG. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e4346. [PMID: 27512845 PMCID: PMC4985300 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000004346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
While abundant sequence information is available from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtypes A, B, C and CRF01_AE for HIV-1 vaccine design, sequences from West Africa are less represented. We sought to augment our understanding of HIV-1 variants circulating in 6 Nigerian cities as a step to subsequent HIV-1 vaccine development.The G/CRF02_AG multi-region hybridization assay (MHA) was developed to differentiate subtype G, CRF02_AG and their recombinants from other subtypes based on 7 HIV-1 segments. Plasma from 224 HIV-1 infected volunteers enrolled in a cohort examining HIV-1 prevalence, risk factor, and subtype from Makurdi (30), Abuja (18), Enugu (11), Kaduna (12), Tafa (95), and Ojo/Lagos (58) was analyzed using MHA. HIV-1 genomes from 42 samples were sequenced to validate the MHA and fully explore the recombinant structure of G and CRF02_AG variants.The sensitivity and specificity of MHA varied between 73-100% and 90-100%, respectively. The subtype distribution as identified by MHA among 224 samples revealed 38% CRF02_AG, 28% G, and 26% G/CRF02_AG recombinants while 8% remained nontypeable strains. In envelope (env) gp120, 38.84% of the samples reacted to a G probe while 31.25% reacted to a CRF02 (subtype A) probe. Full genome characterization of 42 sequences revealed the complexity of Nigerian HIV-1 variants.CRF02_AG, subtype G, and their recombinants were the major circulating HIV-1 variants in 6 Nigerian cities. High proportions of samples reacted to a G probe in env gp120 confirms that subtype G infections are abundant and should be considered in strategies for global HIV-1 vaccine development.
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Robb ML, Eller LA, Kibuuka H, Rono K, Maganga L, Nitayaphan S, Kroon E, Sawe FK, Sinei S, Sriplienchan S, Jagodzinski LL, Malia J, Manak M, de Souza MS, Tovanabutra S, Sanders-Buell E, Rolland M, Dorsey-Spitz J, Eller MA, Milazzo M, Li Q, Lewandowski A, Wu H, Swann E, O'Connell RJ, Peel S, Dawson P, Kim JH, Michael NL. Prospective Study of Acute HIV-1 Infection in Adults in East Africa and Thailand. N Engl J Med 2016; 374:2120-30. [PMID: 27192360 PMCID: PMC5111628 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1508952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is a major contributor to transmission of HIV-1. An understanding of acute HIV-1 infection may be important in the development of treatment strategies to eradicate HIV-1 or achieve a functional cure. METHODS We performed twice-weekly qualitative plasma HIV-1 RNA nucleic acid testing in 2276 volunteers who were at high risk for HIV-1 infection. For participants in whom acute HIV-1 infection was detected, clinical observations, quantitative measurements of plasma HIV-1 RNA levels (to assess viremia) and HIV antibodies, and results of immunophenotyping of lymphocytes were obtained twice weekly. RESULTS Fifty of 112 volunteers with acute HIV-1 infection had two or more blood samples collected before HIV-1 antibodies were detected. The median peak viremia (6.7 log10 copies per milliliter) occurred 13 days after the first sample showed reactivity on nucleic acid testing. Reactivity on an enzyme immunoassay occurred at a median of 14 days. The nadir of viremia (4.3 log10 copies per milliliter) occurred at a median of 31 days and was nearly equivalent to the viral-load set point, the steady-state viremia that persists durably after resolution of acute viremia (median plasma HIV-1 RNA level, 4.4 log10 copies per milliliter). The peak viremia and downslope were correlated with the viral-load set point. Clinical manifestations of acute HIV-1 infection were most common just before and at the time of peak viremia. A median of one symptom of acute HIV-1 infection was recorded at a median of two study visits, and a median of one sign of acute HIV-1 infection was recorded at a median of three visits. CONCLUSIONS The viral-load set point occurred at a median of 31 days after the first detection of plasma viremia and correlated with peak viremia. Few symptoms and signs were observed during acute HIV-1 infection, and they were most common before peak viremia. (Funded by the Department of Defense and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.).
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Billings E, Sanders-Buell E, Bose M, Bradfield A, Lei E, Kijak GH, Arroyo MA, Kibaya RM, Scott PT, Wasunna MK, Sawe FK, Shaffer DN, Birx DL, McCutchan FE, Michael NL, Robb ML, Kim JH, Tovanabutra S. The Number and Complexity of Pure and Recombinant HIV-1 Strains Observed within Incident Infections during the HIV and Malaria Cohort Study Conducted in Kericho, Kenya, from 2003 to 2006. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135124. [PMID: 26287814 PMCID: PMC4543584 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterization of HIV-1 subtype diversity in regions where vaccine trials are conducted is critical for vaccine development and testing. This study describes the molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 within a tea-plantation community cohort in Kericho, Kenya. Sixty-three incident infections were ascertained in the HIV and Malaria Cohort Study conducted in Kericho from 2003 to 2006. HIV-1 strains from 58 of those individuals were full genome characterized and compared to two previous Kenyan studies describing 41 prevalent infections from a blood bank survey (1999–2000) and 21 infections from a higher-risk cohort containing a mix of incident and prevalent infections (2006). Among the 58 strains from the community cohort, 43.1% were pure subtypes (36.2% A1, 5.2% C, and 1.7% G) and 56.9% were inter-subtype recombinants (29.3% A1D, 8.6% A1CD, 6.9% A1A2D, 5.2% A1C, 3.4% A1A2CD, and 3.4% A2D). This diversity and the resulting genetic distance between the observed strains will need to be addressed when vaccine immunogens are chosen. In consideration of current vaccine development efforts, the strains from these three studies were compared to five candidate vaccines (each of which are viral vectored, carrying inserts corresponding to parts of gag, pol, and envelope), which have been developed for possible use in sub-Saharan Africa. The sequence comparison between the observed strains and the candidate vaccines indicates that in the presence of diverse recombinants, a bivalent vaccine is more likely to provide T-cell epitope coverage than monovalent vaccines even when the inserts of the bivalent vaccine are not subtype-matched to the local epidemic.
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Sakkhachornphop S, Kijak GH, Beyrer C, Razak MH, Sanders-Buell E, Jittiwutikarn J, Suriyanon V, Robb ML, Kim JH, Celentano DD, McCutchan FE, Tovanabutra S. An effective tool for identifying HIV-1 subtypes B, C, CRF01_AE, their recombinant forms, and dual infections in Southeast Asia by the multi-region subtype specific PCR (MSSP) assay. J Virol Methods 2015; 217:70-8. [PMID: 25725414 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2015.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Revised: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 02/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The RV144 Thai vaccine trial has been the only vaccine study to show efficacy in preventing HIV infection. Ongoing molecular surveillance of HIV-1 in Southeast Asia is vital for vaccine development and evaluation. In this study a novel tool, the multi-region subtype specific PCR (MSSP) assay, that was able to identify subtypes B, C, CRF01_AE for Thailand, other Southeast Asian countries, India and China is described. The MSSP assay is based on a nested PCR strategy and amplifies eight short regions distributed along the HIV-1 genome using subtype-specific primers. A panel of 41 clinical DNA samples obtained primarily from opiate users in northern Thailand was used to test the assay performance. The MSSP assay provided 73-100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for the three subtypes in each genome region. The assay was then field-tested on 337 sera from HIV infected northern Thai drug users collected between 1999 and 2002. Subtype distribution was CRF01_AE 77.4% (n=261), subtype B 3.3% (n=11), CRF01_AE/B recombinant 12.2% (n=41), CRF01_AE/C recombinant 0.6% (n=2), and non-typeable 6.5% (n=22). The MSSP assay is a simple, cost-effective, and accurate genotyping tool for laboratory settings with limited resources and is sensitive enough to capture the recombinant genomes and dual infections.
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Edlefsen PT, Rolland M, Hertz T, Tovanabutra S, Gartland AJ, deCamp AC, Magaret CA, Ahmed H, Gottardo R, Juraska M, McCoy C, Larsen BB, Sanders-Buell E, Carrico C, Menis S, Bose M, Arroyo MA, O’Connell RJ, Nitayaphan S, Pitisuttithum P, Kaewkungwal J, Rerks-Ngarm S, Robb ML, Kirys T, Georgiev IS, Kwong PD, Scheffler K, Pond SLK, Carlson JM, Michael NL, Schief WR, Mullins JI, Kim JH, Gilbert PB. Comprehensive sieve analysis of breakthrough HIV-1 sequences in the RV144 vaccine efficacy trial. PLoS Comput Biol 2015; 11:e1003973. [PMID: 25646817 PMCID: PMC4315437 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The RV144 clinical trial showed the partial efficacy of a vaccine regimen with an estimated vaccine efficacy (VE) of 31% for protecting low-risk Thai volunteers against acquisition of HIV-1. The impact of vaccine-induced immune responses can be investigated through sieve analysis of HIV-1 breakthrough infections (infected vaccine and placebo recipients). A V1/V2-targeted comparison of the genomes of HIV-1 breakthrough viruses identified two V2 amino acid sites that differed between the vaccine and placebo groups. Here we extended the V1/V2 analysis to the entire HIV-1 genome using an array of methods based on individual sites, k-mers and genes/proteins. We identified 56 amino acid sites or "signatures" and 119 k-mers that differed between the vaccine and placebo groups. Of those, 19 sites and 38 k-mers were located in the regions comprising the RV144 vaccine (Env-gp120, Gag, and Pro). The nine signature sites in Env-gp120 were significantly enriched for known antibody-associated sites (p = 0.0021). In particular, site 317 in the third variable loop (V3) overlapped with a hotspot of antibody recognition, and sites 369 and 424 were linked to CD4 binding site neutralization. The identified signature sites significantly covaried with other sites across the genome (mean = 32.1) more than did non-signature sites (mean = 0.9) (p < 0.0001), suggesting functional and/or structural relevance of the signature sites. Since signature sites were not preferentially restricted to the vaccine immunogens and because most of the associations were insignificant following correction for multiple testing, we predict that few of the genetic differences are strongly linked to the RV144 vaccine-induced immune pressure. In addition to presenting results of the first complete-genome analysis of the breakthrough infections in the RV144 trial, this work describes a set of statistical methods and tools applicable to analysis of breakthrough infection genomes in general vaccine efficacy trials for diverse pathogens.
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Rolland M, Tovanabutra S, Sanders-Buell E, Bose M, Sullivan AMO, Howell S, Poltavee K, Lee J, Ibitamuno G, Muhammad S, Ahani B, Lepore S, Harbolick E, Oropeza C, Patterson J, Bates A, Lazzaro M, Kijak G, Dommaraju K, Herr C, Eller LA, Nitayaphan S, Rono K, Maganga L, Sekiziyivu A, Michael N, Kim J, Robb M. No Selection for Env with Shorter Variable Loops in Acute HIV-1 Infection. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2014. [DOI: 10.1089/aid.2014.5396.abstract] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Merbah M, Kijak G, Eller LA, Sanders-Buell E, Mann BT, Pillis DM, O'Sullivan AM, Bose M, Lee JL, Poltavee K, Michael N, Kim J, Robb M, Tovanabutra S, Chenine AL. Real Time Fitness Assay of Two CRF01_A/E HIV-1 Transmitted Founder Variants. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2014. [DOI: 10.1089/aid.2014.5495.abstract] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Edlefsen PT, Rolland M, Hertz T, Tovanabutra S, Gartland AJ, deCamp AC, Magaret CA, Ahmed H, Gottardo R, Juraska M, McCoy C, Larsen BB, Sanders-Buell E, Carrico C, Menis S, Bose M, Arroyo MA, O'Connell RJ, deSouza MS, Nitayaphan S, Pitisuttithum P, Kaewkungwal J, Rerks-Ngarm S, Robb ML, McLellan JS, Georgiev IS, Kirys T, Kwong PD, Carlson JM, Michael NL, Schief WR, Mullins JI, Kim JH, Gilbert PB. Comprehensive Sieve Analysis of Breakthrough HIV-1 Sequences in the RV144 Vaccine Efficacy Trial. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2014. [DOI: 10.1089/aid.2014.5036.abstract] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Kijak GH, Sanders-Buell E, Chenine AL, Eller M, Goonetilleke N, Thomas R, Leviyang S, Harbolick E, Bose M, Pham P, Oropeza C, Poltavee K, O'Sullivan AM, Merbah M, Costanzo M, Li H, Fischer W, Gao F, Eller LA, O'Connell RJ, Sinei S, Maganga L, Kibuuka H, Nitayaphan S, Rolland M, Korber B, McCutchan F, Shaw G, Michael N, Robb M, Tovanabutra S, Kim J. Cryptic Multiple HIV-1 Infection Revealed by Early, Frequent, and Deep Sampling during Acute Infection. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2014. [DOI: 10.1089/aid.2014.5102a.abstract] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Gartland AJ, Li S, McNevin J, Tomaras GD, Gottardo R, Janes H, Fong Y, Morris D, Geraghty DE, Kijak GH, Edlefsen PT, Frahm N, Larsen BB, Tovanabutra S, Sanders-Buell E, deCamp AC, Magaret CA, Ahmed H, Goodridge JP, Chen L, Konopa P, Nariya S, Stoddard JN, Wong K, Zhao H, Deng W, Maust BS, Bose M, Howell S, Bates A, Lazzaro M, O'Sullivan A, Lei E, Bradfield A, Ibitamuno G, Assawadarachai V, O'Connell RJ, deSouza MS, Nitayaphan S, Rerks-Ngarm S, Robb ML, Sidney J, Sette A, Zolla-Pazner S, Montefiori D, McElrath MJ, Mullins JI, Kim JH, Gilbert PB, Hertz T. Analysis of HLA A*02 association with vaccine efficacy in the RV144 HIV-1 vaccine trial. J Virol 2014; 88:8242-55. [PMID: 24829343 PMCID: PMC4135964 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01164-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 05/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The RV144 HIV-1 vaccine trial demonstrated partial efficacy of 31% against HIV-1 infection. Studies into possible correlates of protection found that antibodies specific to the V1 and V2 (V1/V2) region of envelope correlated inversely with infection risk and that viruses isolated from trial participants contained genetic signatures of vaccine-induced pressure in the V1/V2 region. We explored the hypothesis that the genetic signatures in V1 and V2 could be partly attributed to selection by vaccine-primed T cells. We performed a T-cell-based sieve analysis of breakthrough viruses in the RV144 trial and found evidence of predicted HLA binding escape that was greater in vaccine versus placebo recipients. The predicted escape depended on class I HLA A*02- and A*11-restricted epitopes in the MN strain rgp120 vaccine immunogen. Though we hypothesized that this was indicative of postacquisition selection pressure, we also found that vaccine efficacy (VE) was greater in A*02-positive (A*02(+)) participants than in A*02(-) participants (VE = 54% versus 3%, P = 0.05). Vaccine efficacy against viruses with a lysine residue at site 169, important to antibody binding and implicated in vaccine-induced immune pressure, was also greater in A*02(+) participants (VE = 74% versus 15%, P = 0.02). Additionally, a reanalysis of vaccine-induced immune responses that focused on those that were shown to correlate with infection risk suggested that the humoral responses may have differed in A*02(+) participants. These exploratory and hypothesis-generating analyses indicate there may be an association between a class I HLA allele and vaccine efficacy, highlighting the importance of considering HLA alleles and host immune genetics in HIV vaccine trials. IMPORTANCE The RV144 trial was the first to show efficacy against HIV-1 infection. Subsequently, much effort has been directed toward understanding the mechanisms of protection. Here, we conducted a T-cell-based sieve analysis, which compared the genetic sequences of viruses isolated from infected vaccine and placebo recipients. Though we hypothesized that the observed sieve effect indicated postacquisition T-cell selection, we also found that vaccine efficacy was greater for participants who expressed HLA A*02, an allele implicated in the sieve analysis. Though HLA alleles have been associated with disease progression and viral load in HIV-1 infection, these data are the first to suggest the association of a class I HLA allele and vaccine efficacy. While these statistical analyses do not provide mechanistic evidence of protection in RV144, they generate testable hypotheses for the HIV vaccine community and they highlight the importance of assessing the impact of host immune genetics in vaccine-induced immunity and protection. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT00223080.).
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Kijak GH, Sanders-Buell E, Harbolick EA, Pham P, Chenine AL, Eller LA, Rono K, Robb ML, Michael NL, Kim JH, Tovanabutra S. Targeted deep sequencing of HIV-1 using the IonTorrentPGM platform. J Virol Methods 2014; 205:7-16. [PMID: 24797459 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2014.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Revised: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/25/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The characterization of mixed HIV-1 populations is a key question in clinical and basic research settings. This can be achieved through targeted deep sequencing (TDS), where next-generation sequencing is used to examine in depth a sub-genomic region of interest. This study explores the suitability of IonTorrent PGM(LifeTechnologies) for the TDS-based analysis of HIV-1 evolution. Using laboratory reagents and primary specimens sampled at pre-peak viremia the error rates from misincorporation and in vitro recombination were <0.5%. The sequencing error rate was 2- to 3-fold higher in/around homopolymeric tracts, and could be discerned from true polymorphism using bidirectional sequencing. The limit of detection of complex variants was further lowered by using haplotyping. The application of this system was illustrated on primary samples from an individual infected with HIV-1 followed from pre-peak viremia through six months post-acquisition. TDS provided an augmented view of the extent of genetic diversity, the covariation among polymorphisms, the evolutionary pathways, and the boundaries of the mutational space explored by the viral swarm. Based on its performance, the system can be applied for the characterization of minor viral variants in support of studies of viral evolution, which can inform the rational design of the next generation of vaccines and therapeutics.
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Sanders-Buell E, Rutvisuttinunt W, Todd CS, Nasir A, Bradfield A, Lei E, Poltavee K, Savadsuk H, Kim JH, Scott PT, de Souza M, Tovanabutra S. Hepatitis C genotype distribution and homology among geographically disparate injecting drug users in Afghanistan. J Med Virol 2014; 85:1170-9. [PMID: 23918535 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.23575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence is high among injecting drug users in Afghanistan, but transmission dynamics are poorly understood. Samples from HCV-infected injecting drug users were sequenced to determine circulating genotypes and potential transmission linkages. Serum samples were obtained from injecting drug user participants in Hirat, Jalalabad, and Mazar-i-Sharif between 2006 and 2008 with reactive anti-HCV rapid tests. Specimens with detected HCV viremia were amplified and underwent sequence analysis. Of 113 samples evaluated, 25 samples (35.2%) were only typeable in NS5B, nine samples (12.7%) were only typeable in CE1, and 37 samples (52.1%) were genotyped in both regions. Of those with typeable HCV, all were Afghan males with a mean age of 31.1 (standard deviation [SD] ± 8.0) years and mean duration of injecting of 3.9 (SD ± 4.3) years. Most reported residence outside Afghanistan in the last decade (90.1%) and prior incarceration (76.8%). HCV genotypes detected were: 1a, (35.2%, n = 25), 3a (62.0%, n = 44), and 1b (2.8%, n = 2). Cluster formation was detected in NS5B and CE1 and were generally from within the same city. All participants within clusters reported being a refugee in Iran compared to 93.5% of those outside clusters. Only 22.2% (4/11) of those within clusters had been refugees in Pakistan and these four individuals had also been refugees in Iran. Predominance of genotype 3a and the association between HCV viremia and having been a refugee in Iran potentially reflects migration between Afghanistan and Iran among IDUs from Mazar-i-Sharif and Hirat and carry implications for harm reduction programs for this migratory population.
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Chenine AL, Wieczorek L, Sanders-Buell E, Wesberry M, Towle T, Pillis DM, Molnar S, McLinden R, Edmonds T, Hirsch I, O’Connell R, McCutchan FE, Montefiori DC, Ochsenbauer C, Kappes JC, Kim JH, Polonis VR, Tovanabutra S. Impact of HIV-1 backbone on neutralization sensitivity: neutralization profiles of heterologous envelope glycoproteins expressed in native subtype C and CRF01_AE backbone. PLoS One 2013; 8:e76104. [PMID: 24312165 PMCID: PMC3843658 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 08/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Standardized assays to assess vaccine and antiviral drug efficacy are critical for the development of protective HIV-1 vaccines and drugs. These immune assays will be advanced by the development of standardized viral stocks, such as HIV-1 infectious molecular clones (IMC), that i) express a reporter gene, ii) are representative of globally diverse subtypes and iii) are engineered to easily exchange envelope (env) genes for expression of sequences of interest. Thus far, a subtype B IMC backbone expressing Renilla luciferase (LucR), and into which the ectodomain of heterologous env coding sequences can be expressed has been successfully developed but as execution of HIV-1 vaccine efficacy trials shifts increasingly to non-subtype B epidemics (Southern African and Southeast Asia), non-subtype B HIV-1 reagents are needed to support vaccine development. Here we describe two IMCs derived from subtypes C and CRF01_AE HIV-1 primary isolates expressing LucR (IMC.LucR) that were engineered to express heterologous gp160 Envs. 18 constructs expressing various subtypes C and CRF01_AE Envs, mostly acute, in subtype-matched and -unmatched HIV backbones were tested for functionality and neutralization sensitivity. Our results suggest a possible effect of non-env HIV-1 genes on the interaction of Env and neutralizing antibodies and highlight the need to generate a library of IMCs representative of the HIV-1 subtype spectrum to be used as standardized neutralization assay reagents for assessing HIV-1 vaccine efficacy.
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Barouch DH, Stephenson KE, Borducchi EN, Smith K, Stanley K, McNally AG, Liu J, Abbink P, Maxfield LF, Seaman MS, Dugast AS, Alter G, Ferguson M, Li W, Earl PL, Moss B, Giorgi EE, Szinger JJ, Eller LA, Billings EA, Rao M, Tovanabutra S, Sanders-Buell E, Weijtens M, Pau MG, Schuitemaker H, Robb ML, Kim JH, Korber BT, Michael NL. Protective efficacy of a global HIV-1 mosaic vaccine against heterologous SHIV challenges in rhesus monkeys. Cell 2013; 155:531-9. [PMID: 24243013 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2013.09.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 275] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2013] [Revised: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The global diversity of HIV-1 represents a critical challenge facing HIV-1 vaccine development. HIV-1 mosaic antigens are bioinformatically optimized immunogens designed for improved coverage of HIV-1 diversity. However, the protective efficacy of such global HIV-1 vaccine antigens has not previously been evaluated. Here, we demonstrate the capacity of bivalent HIV-1 mosaic antigens to protect rhesus monkeys against acquisition of infection following heterologous challenges with the difficult-to-neutralize simian-human immunodeficiency virus SHIV-SF162P3. Adenovirus/poxvirus and adenovirus/adenovirus vector-based vaccines expressing HIV-1 mosaic Env, Gag, and Pol afforded a significant reduction in the per-exposure acquisition risk following repetitive, intrarectal SHIV-SF162P3 challenges. Protection against acquisition of infection correlated with vaccine-elicited binding, neutralizing, and functional nonneutralizing antibodies, suggesting that the coordinated activity of multiple antibody functions may contribute to protection against difficult-to-neutralize viruses. These data demonstrate the protective efficacy of HIV-1 mosaic antigens and suggest a potential strategy for the development of a global HIV-1 vaccine. PAPERCLIP:
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Heipertz RA, Sanders-Buell E, Kijak G, Howell S, Lazzaro M, Jagodzinski LL, Eggleston J, Peel S, Malia J, Armstrong A, Michael NL, Kim JH, O'Connell RJ, Scott PT, Brett-Major DM, Tovanabutra S. Molecular epidemiology of early and acute HIV type 1 infections in the United States Navy and Marine Corps, 2005-2010. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2013; 29:1310-20. [PMID: 23972100 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2013.0087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The U.S. military represents a unique population within the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) pandemic. The last comprehensive study of HIV-1 in members of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps (Sea Services) was completed in 2000, before large-scale combat operations were taking place. Here, we present molecular characterization of HIV-1 from 40 Sea Services personnel who were identified during their seroconversion window and initially classified as HIV-1 negative during screening. Protease/reverse transcriptase (pro/rt) and envelope (env) sequences were obtained from each member of the cohort. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out on these regions to determine relatedness within the cohort and calculate the most recent common ancestor for the related sequences. We identified 39 individuals infected with subtype B and one infected with CRF01_AE. Comparison of the pairwise genetic distance of Sea Service sequences and reference sequences in the env and pro/rt regions showed that five samples were part of molecular clusters, a group of two and a group of three, confirmed by single genome amplification. Real-time molecular monitoring of new HIV-1 acquisitions in the Sea Services may have a role in facilitating public health interventions at sites where related HIV-1 infections are identified.
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Kijak GH, Pham P, Sanders-Buell E, Harbolick EA, Eller LA, Robb ML, Michael NL, Kim JH, Tovanabutra S. Nautilus: a bioinformatics package for the analysis of HIV type 1 targeted deep sequencing data. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2013; 29:1361-4. [PMID: 23809062 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2013.0175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The advent of next generation sequencing technologies is providing new insight into HIV-1 diversity and evolution, which has created the need for bioinformatics tools that could be applied to the characterization of viral quasispecies. Here we present Nautilus, a bioinformatics package for the analysis of HIV-1 targeted deep sequencing data. The DeepHaplo module determines the nucleotide base frequency and read depth at each position and computes the haplotype frequencies based on the linkage among polymorphisms in the same next generation sequence read. The Motifs module computes the frequency of the variants in the setting of their sequence context and mapping orientation, which allows for the validation of polymorphisms and haplotypes when strand bias is suspected. Both modules are accessed through a user-friendly GUI, which runs on Mac OS X (version 10.7.4 or later), and are based on Python, JAVA, and R scripts. Nautilus is available from www.hivresearch.org/research.php?ServiceID=5&SubServiceID=6 .
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Rolland M, Edlefsen PT, Larsen BB, Tovanabutra S, Sanders-Buell E, Hertz T, deCamp AC, Carrico C, Menis S, Magaret CA, Ahmed H, Juraska M, Chen L, Konopa P, Nariya S, Stoddard JN, Wong K, Zhao H, Deng W, Maust BS, Bose M, Howell S, Bates A, Lazzaro M, O'Sullivan A, Lei E, Bradfield A, Ibitamuno G, Assawadarachai V, O'Connell RJ, deSouza MS, Nitayaphan S, Rerks-Ngarm S, Robb ML, McLellan JS, Georgiev I, Kwong PD, Carlson JM, Michael NL, Schief WR, Gilbert PB, Mullins JI, Kim JH. Increased HIV-1 vaccine efficacy against viruses with genetic signatures in Env V2. Nature 2012; 490:417-20. [PMID: 22960785 PMCID: PMC3551291 DOI: 10.1038/nature11519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 352] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2012] [Accepted: 08/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The RV144 trial demonstrated 31% vaccine efficacy at preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection. Antibodies against the HIV-1 envelope variable loops 1 and 2 (Env V1 and V2) correlated inversely with infection risk. We proposed that vaccine-induced immune responses against V1/V2 would have a selective effect against, or sieve, HIV-1 breakthrough viruses. A total of 936 HIV-1 genome sequences from 44 vaccine and 66 placebo recipients were examined. We show that vaccine-induced immune responses were associated with two signatures in V2 at amino acid positions 169 and 181. Vaccine efficacy against viruses matching the vaccine at position 169 was 48% (confidence interval 18% to 66%; P = 0.0036), whereas vaccine efficacy against viruses mismatching the vaccine at position 181 was 78% (confidence interval 35% to 93%; P = 0.0028). Residue 169 is in a cationic glycosylated region recognized by broadly neutralizing and RV144-derived antibodies. The predicted distance between the two signature sites (21 ± 7 Å) and their match/mismatch dichotomy indicate that multiple factors may be involved in the protection observed in RV144. Genetic signatures of RV144 vaccination in V2 complement the finding of an association between high V1/V2-binding antibodies and reduced risk of HIV-1 acquisition, and provide evidence that vaccine-induced V2 responses plausibly had a role in the partial protection conferred by the RV144 regimen.
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Hertz T, Gartland A, Janes H, Li S, Fong Y, Tomaras GD, Morris D, Geraghty D, Kijak GH, Edlefsen PT, Rolland M, Larsen BB, Tovanabutra S, Sanders-Buell E, DeCamp AC, Magaret CA, Ahmed H, Nariya S, Wong K, Zhao H, Deng W, Maust BS, Bose M, Howell S, Lazzaro M, Bates A, Lei E, Bradfield A, Ibitamuno G, Assawadarachai V, O'Connel RJ, deSouza MS, Nitayaphan S, Rerks-Ngarm S, Robb ML, McElrath MJ, Haynes BF, Michael NL, Gilbert PB, Mullins JI, Kim JH. T-cell based sieve analysis ties HLA A*02 to vaccine efficacy and IgA-C1 immune correlate in RV144 Thai trial. Retrovirology 2012. [PMCID: PMC3441303 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-9-s2-o61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Sina S, Tovanabutra S, Sanders-Buell E, Bates A, Bose M, Howell S, Ibitamuno G, Lazzaro M, O'Sullivan A, Lee J, Cervenka T, Kuroiwa J, Baldwin K, Barouch DH, Robb M, O'Connell R, Michael NL, Kim JH, Rolland M. Evidence for Env-V2 sieve effect in breakthrough SIV MAC251 infections in rhesus monkeys vaccinated with Ad26/MVA and MVA/Ad26 constructs. Retrovirology 2012. [PMCID: PMC3441484 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-9-s2-o32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Polonis V, Wieczorek L, Kalyanaraman V, Matyas G, Whitney S, Williams C, Tovanabutra S, Sanders-Buell E, Wesberry M, Ochsenbauer C, Chenine A, Rao M, Tong T, Alving C, Cheng H, Zolla-Pazner S, Michael N, VanCott T, Marovich M. Antigenicity and immunogenicity of a novel, acute HIV-1 Tanzanian subtype C gp145 envelope protein for clinical development. Retrovirology 2012. [PMCID: PMC3441268 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-9-s2-p323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Montefiori DC, Karnasuta C, Huang Y, Ahmed H, Gilbert P, de Souza MS, McLinden R, Tovanabutra S, Laurence-Chenine A, Sanders-Buell E, Moody MA, Bonsignori M, Ochsenbauer C, Kappes J, Tang H, Greene K, Gao H, LaBranche CC, Andrews C, Polonis VR, Rerks-Ngarm S, Pitisuttithum P, Nitayaphan S, Kaewkungwal J, Self SG, Berman PW, Francis D, Sinangil F, Lee C, Tartaglia J, Robb ML, Haynes BF, Michael NL, Kim JH. Magnitude and breadth of the neutralizing antibody response in the RV144 and Vax003 HIV-1 vaccine efficacy trials. J Infect Dis 2012; 206:431-41. [PMID: 22634875 PMCID: PMC3392187 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jis367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 242] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2011] [Accepted: 01/26/2012] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A recombinant canarypox vector expressing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag, Pro, and membrane-linked gp120 (vCP1521), combined with a bivalent gp120 protein boost (AIDSVAX B/E), provided modest protection against HIV-1 infection in a community-based population in Thailand (RV144 trial). No protection was observed in Thai injection drug users who received AIDSVAX B/E alone (Vax003 trial). We compared the neutralizing antibody response in these 2 trials. METHODS Neutralization was assessed with tier 1 and tier 2 strains of virus in TZM-bl and A3R5 cells. RESULTS Neutralization of several tier 1 viruses was detected in both RV144 and Vax003. Peak titers were higher in Vax003 and waned rapidly in both trials. The response in RV144 was targeted in part to V3 of gp120.vCP1521 priming plus 2 boosts with gp120 protein was superior to 2 gp120 protein inoculations alone, confirming a priming effect for vCP1521. Sporadic weak neutralization of tier 2 viruses was detected only in Vax003 and A3R5 cells. CONCLUSION The results suggest either that weak neutralizing antibody responses can be partially protective against HIV-1 in low-risk heterosexual populations or that the modest efficacy seen in RV144 was mediated by other immune responses, either alone or in combination with neutralizing antibodies.
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Manak M, Sina S, Anekella B, Hewlett I, Sanders-Buell E, Ragupathy V, Kim J, Vermeulen M, Stramer SL, Sabino E, Grabarczyk P, Michael N, Peel S, Garrett P, Tovanabutra S, Busch MP, Schito M. Pilot studies for development of an HIV subtype panel for surveillance of global diversity. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2012; 28:594-606. [PMID: 22149143 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2011.0271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The continued global spread and evolution of HIV diversity pose significant challenges to diagnostics and vaccine strategies. NIAID partnered with the FDA, WRAIR, academia, and industry to form a Viral Panel Working Group to design and prepare a panel of well-characterized current and diverse HIV isolates. Plasma samples that had screened positive for HIV infection and had evidence of recently acquired infection were donated by blood centers in North and South America, Europe, and Africa. A total of 80 plasma samples were tested by quantitative nucleic acid tests, p24 antigen, EIA, and Western blot to assign a Fiebig stage indicative of approximate time from initial infection. Evaluation of viral load using FDA-cleared assays showed excellent concordance when subtype B virus was tested, but lower correlations for subtype C. Plasma samples were cocultivated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from normal donors to generate 30 viral isolates (50-80% success rate for samples with viral load >10,000 copies/ml), which were then expanded to 10(7)-10(9) virus copies per ml. Analysis of env sequences showed that sequences derived from cultured PBMCs were not distinguishable from those obtained from the original plasma. The pilot collection includes 30 isolates representing subtypes B, C, B/F, CRF04_cpx, and CRF02_AG. These studies will serve as a basis for the development of a comprehensive panel of highly characterized viral isolates that reflects the current dynamic and complex HIV epidemic, and will be made available through the External Quality Assurance Program Oversight Laboratory (EQAPOL).
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