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Chen Y, Jin H, Tang X, Li L, Geng X, Zhu Y, Chong H, He Y. Cell membrane-anchored anti-HIV single-chain antibodies and bifunctional inhibitors targeting the gp41 fusion protein: new strategies for HIV gene therapy. Emerg Microbes Infect 2021; 11:30-49. [PMID: 34821542 PMCID: PMC8735881 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2021.2011616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Emerging studies indicate that infusion of HIV-resistant cells could be an effective strategy to achieve a sterilizing or functional cure. We recently reported that glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored nanobody or a fusion inhibitory peptide can render modified cells resistant to HIV-1 infection. In this study, we comprehensively characterized a panel of newly isolated HIV-1-neutralizing antibodies as GPI-anchored inhibitors. Fusion genes encoding the single-chain variable fragment (scFv) of 3BNC117, N6, PGT126, PGT128, 10E8, or 35O22 were constructed with a self-inactivating lentiviral vector, and they were efficiently expressed in the lipid raft sites of target cell membrane without affecting the expression of HIV-1 receptors (CD4, CCR5 and CXCR4). Significantly, transduced cells exhibited various degrees of resistance to cell-free HIV-1 infection and cell-associated HIV-1 transmission, as well as viral Env-mediated cell–cell fusion, with the cells modified by GPI-10E8 showing the most potent and broad anti-HIV activity. In mechanism, GPI-10E8 also interfered with the processing of viral Env in transduced cells and attenuated the infectivity of progeny viruses. By genetically linking 10E8 with a fusion inhibitor peptide, we subsequently designed a group of eight bifunctional constructs as cell membrane-based inhibitors, designated CMI01∼CMI08, which rendered cells completely resistant to HIV-1, HIV-2, and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). In human CD4+ T cells, GPI-10E8 and its bifunctional derivatives blocked both CCR5- and CXCR4-tropic HIV-1 isolates efficiently, and the modified cells displayed robust survival selection under HIV-1 infection. Therefore, our studies provide new strategies for generating HIV-resistant cells, which can be used alone or with other gene therapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Center for AIDS Research, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongliang Jin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Center for AIDS Research, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoran Tang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Center for AIDS Research, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuzhu Geng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Center for AIDS Research, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanmei Zhu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Center for AIDS Research, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Huihui Chong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Center for AIDS Research, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxian He
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Center for AIDS Research, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Generation of HIV-resistant cells with a single-domain antibody: implications for HIV-1 gene therapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2021; 18:660-674. [PMID: 33462383 PMCID: PMC7812570 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-020-00627-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The cure or functional cure of the "Berlin patient" and "London patient" indicates that infusion of HIV-resistant cells could be a viable treatment strategy. Very recently, we genetically linked a short-peptide fusion inhibitor with a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) attachment signal, rendering modified cells fully resistant to HIV infection. In this study, GPI-anchored m36.4, a single-domain antibody (nanobody) targeting the coreceptor-binding site of gp120, was constructed with a lentiviral vector. We verified that m36.4 was efficiently expressed on the plasma membrane of transduced TZM-bl cells and targeted lipid raft sites without affecting the expression of HIV receptors (CD4, CCR5, and CXCR4). Significantly, TZM-bl cells expressing GPI-m36.4 were highly resistant to infection with divergent HIV-1 subtypes and potently blocked HIV-1 envelope-mediated cell-cell fusion and cell-cell viral transmission. Furthermore, we showed that GPI-m36.4-modified human CEMss-CCR5 cells were nonpermissive to both CCR5- and CXCR4-tropic HIV-1 isolates and displayed a strong survival advantage over unmodified cells. It was found that GPI-m36.4 could also impair HIV-1 Env processing and viral infectivity in transduced cells, underlying a multifaceted mechanism of antiviral action. In conclusion, our studies characterize m36.4 as a powerful nanobody that can generate HIV-resistant cells, offering a novel gene therapy approach that can be used alone or in combination.
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Mayanja Y, Abaasa A, Namale G, Price MA, Kamali A. Willingness of female sex workers in Kampala, Uganda to participate in future HIV vaccine trials: a case control study. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1789. [PMID: 33239018 PMCID: PMC7686944 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09932-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We anticipate large efficacy trials of novel HIV vaccines that have shown acceptable safety profiles. We determined willingness to participate (WTP) in future HIV vaccine efficacy trials among HIV negative female sex workers (FSWs) in Kampala Uganda. Methods We conducted a case control study in the Good Health for Women Project cohort. Cases received HIV prevention services and, enrolled in a 12-month simulated vaccine efficacy trial (SiVET) that used Hepatitis B vaccine; they underwent vaccine trial procedures as would be in an actual trial. Controls received similar health services but did not enroll in SiVET. We matched cases and controls (ratio 2:1) for age and duration in the cohort. We described a hypothetical HIV vaccine trial to cases (after 9 months in SiVET) and controls including trial attributes: randomization, delaying pregnancy, frequent blood draws (80-100mls) and study visits for 3 years. We compared WTP and willingness for vaccine trial attributes by case/control using chi-squared or Fisher’s exact tests and fitted conditional logistic regression models to determine independent predictors of WTP. Results We analyzed data for 311 volunteers (219 cases, 92 controls); median age 27 years (IQR: 23–32), 39.9% had ≥secondary education, 57.9% had sex work as their main job and 81.9% used illicit drugs. Compared to controls, more cases had lived in the community for > 1 year, (85.4% vs 64.1%; p < 0.001) and fewer cases reported illicit drug use in the past 3 months, (79.0% vs 89.1%; p = 0.03). Overall, 278 (89.4%) volunteers expressed WTP in an HIV vaccine trial, the most common reason being hope of protection against HIV. More cases than controls (58.2% vs 44.7%) did not need to consult anyone before trial participation (p = 0.03); cases were more willing to delay pregnancy (99.0% vs 94.0%; p = 0.03). Combining vaccine trial attributes, 249 (89.6%) of the 278 accepted all attributes. After controlling for case/ control status women with secondary education or higher expressed less WTP (aOR 0.17; 95% CI 0.04–0.80). Conclusion FSWs in Kampala demonstrated high WTP. Prior experience with trial requirements like contraception may improve their uptake during actual trials. Family involvement is important for those without prior trial experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunia Mayanja
- MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda.
| | - Andrew Abaasa
- MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda.,London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Gertrude Namale
- MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Matt A Price
- IAVI, 125 Broad St, New York, NY, 10004, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
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Ng'uni T, Chasara C, Ndhlovu ZM. Major Scientific Hurdles in HIV Vaccine Development: Historical Perspective and Future Directions. Front Immunol 2020; 11:590780. [PMID: 33193428 PMCID: PMC7655734 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.590780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Following the discovery of HIV as a causative agent of AIDS, the expectation was to rapidly develop a vaccine; but thirty years later, we still do not have a licensed vaccine. Progress has been hindered by the extensive genetic variability of HIV and our limited understanding of immune responses required to protect against HIV acquisition. Nonetheless, valuable knowledge accrued from numerous basic and translational science research studies and vaccine trials has provided insight into the structural biology of the virus, immunogen design and novel vaccine delivery systems that will likely constitute an effective vaccine. Furthermore, stakeholders now appreciate the daunting scientific challenges of developing an effective HIV vaccine, hence the increased advocacy for collaborative efforts among academic research scientists, governments, pharmaceutical industry, philanthropy, and regulatory entities. In this review, we highlight the history of HIV vaccine development efforts, highlighting major challenges and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiza Ng'uni
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV (K-RITH), Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Caroline Chasara
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV (K-RITH), Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Zaza M Ndhlovu
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV (K-RITH), Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.,Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar J. Lopez Angel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Duke Center for Human Systems Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Georgia D. Tomaras
- Duke Center for Human Systems Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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Mayanja Y, Abaasa A, Namale G, Asiki G, Price MA, Kamali A. Factors associated with vaccination completion and retention among HIV negative female sex workers enrolled in a simulated vaccine efficacy trial in Kampala, Uganda. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:725. [PMID: 31420019 PMCID: PMC6698002 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4328-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Female sex workers (FSWs) at substantial risk of HIV are potentially a suitable group for HIV prevention trials including vaccine trials. Few HIV vaccine preparatory studies have been conducted among FSWs in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA); data are therefore limited on acceptability of vaccine trial procedures. We determined vaccination completion and one-year retention among FSWs in Kampala, Uganda. METHODS We conducted a prospective study that simulated a vaccine efficacy trial among HIV negative FSWs (18-49 years). Hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix B) was used to mimic an HIV vaccine product. Volunteers received 1 ml intramuscular injection at 0, 1 and 6 months, and made additional visits (3 days post-vaccination and months 3, 9 and 12). They were censored at that visit if diagnosed as HIV positive or pregnant. We collected socio-demographic, behavioral and clinical data at baseline, 6 and 12 months and fitted Poisson regression models with robust standard error to find factors associated with vaccination completion and retention. RESULTS We enrolled 290 volunteers (median age 27 years) of whom 230 reached a study end-point as follows: 7 became HIV infected, 11 became pregnant and 212 completed both the vaccination schedule and 12-month visit giving a retention of 77.9% (212/272). Vaccination completion was 82.4%. Non-retention at 1 year was more likely among those reporting symptoms of genital ulcer disease (GUD) in the past 3 months (IRR 1.90; 95% CI 1.09-3.32) and those < 35 years; (IRR 6.59; 95% CI 2.11-20.57). Non-completion of the vaccination schedule was associated with being < 35 years (IRR 13.10; 95% CI 1.89-90.92, reporting GUD symptoms (IRR 3.02; 95% CI 1.71-5.33) and reporting consistent condom use with new sexual partners (IRR 2.57; 95% CI 1.10-6.07). CONCLUSIONS FSWs are at substantial risk of HIV infection and yet willing to participate in HIV vaccine and prevention research; young FSWs should be empowered, and those reporting GUD symptoms need close follow up to improve participation in future HIV vaccine trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunia Mayanja
- MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, P. O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Andrew Abaasa
- MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, P. O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Gertrude Namale
- MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, P. O Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Gershim Asiki
- African Population and Health Research Center, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18a, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matthew A. Price
- International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, 125 Broad St, New York, NY 10004 USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94143 USA
| | - Anatoli Kamali
- International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, 125 Broad St, New York, NY 10004 USA
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jerome H. Kim
- International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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