1
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Tano-Menka R, Singh NK, Muzhingi I, Li X, Mandanas MV, Kaseke C, Crain CR, Zhang A, Ogunshola FJ, Vecchiarello L, Piechocka-Trocha A, Bashirova A, Birnbaum ME, Carrington M, Walker BD, Gaiha GD. Polymorphic residues in HLA-B that mediate HIV control distinctly modulate peptide interactions with both TCR and KIR molecules. Structure 2024; 32:1121-1136.e5. [PMID: 38733995 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2024.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Immunogenetic studies have shown that specific HLA-B residues (67, 70, 97, and 156) mediate the impact of HLA class I on HIV infection, but the molecular basis is not well understood. Here we evaluate the function of these residues within the protective HLA-B∗5701 allele. While mutation of Met67, Ser70, and Leu156 disrupt CD8+ T cell recognition, substitution of Val97 had no significant impact. Thermal denaturation of HLA-B∗5701-peptide complexes revealed that Met67 and Leu156 maintain HLA-peptide stability, while Ser70 and Leu156 facilitate T cell receptor (TCR) interactions. Analyses of existing structures and structural models suggested that Val97 mediates HLA-peptide binding to inhibitory KIR3DL1 molecules, which was confirmed by experimental assays. These data thereby demonstrate that the genetic basis by which host immunity impacts HIV outcomes occurs by modulating HLA-B-peptide stability and conformation for interaction with TCR and killer immunoglobulin receptor (KIR) molecules. Moreover, they indicate a key role for epitope specificity and HLA-KIR interactions to HIV control.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- HLA-B Antigens/chemistry
- HLA-B Antigens/metabolism
- HLA-B Antigens/genetics
- HLA-B Antigens/immunology
- Protein Binding
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/chemistry
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- HIV-1/immunology
- HIV-1/metabolism
- HIV Infections/immunology
- HIV Infections/virology
- Models, Molecular
- Receptors, KIR3DL1/metabolism
- Receptors, KIR3DL1/chemistry
- Receptors, KIR3DL1/genetics
- Peptides/chemistry
- Peptides/metabolism
- Binding Sites
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Polymorphism, Genetic
- Protein Stability
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhoda Tano-Menka
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Nishant K Singh
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Itai Muzhingi
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Xiaolong Li
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; The First Affiliated School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Michael V Mandanas
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Clarety Kaseke
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Charles R Crain
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Angela Zhang
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Funsho J Ogunshola
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | | | - Alicja Piechocka-Trocha
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Arman Bashirova
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Michael E Birnbaum
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Mary Carrington
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Bruce D Walker
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering and Science and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Gaurav D Gaiha
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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2
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Koning D, Quakkelaar ED, Schellens IMM, Spierings E, van Baarle D. Protective HLA Alleles Recruit Biased and Largely Similar Antigen-Specific T Cell Repertoires across Different Outcomes in HIV Infection. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 208:3-15. [PMID: 34880106 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2001145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CD8+ T cells play an important role in the control of untreated HIV infection. Several studies have suggested a decisive role of TCRs involved in anti-HIV immunity. HLA-B*27 and B*57 are often associated with a delayed HIV disease progression, but the exact correlates that provide superior immunity against HIV are not known. To investigate if the T cell repertoire underlies the protective effect in disease outcome in HLA-B*27 and B*57+ individuals, we analyzed Ag-specific TCR profiles from progressors (n = 13) and slow progressors (n = 11) expressing either B*27 or B*57. Our data showed no differences in TCR diversity between progressors and slow progressors. Both alleles recruit biased T cell repertoires (i.e., TCR populations skewed toward specific TRBV families or CDR3 regions). This bias was unrelated to disease progression and was remarkably profound for HLA-B*57, in which TRBV family usage and CDR3 sequences were shared to some extent even between epitopes. Conclusively, these data suggest that the T cell repertoires recruited by protective HLA alleles are highly similar between progressors and slow progressors in terms of TCR diversity, TCR usage, and cross-reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Koning
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; and
| | - Esther D Quakkelaar
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; and
| | - Ingrid M M Schellens
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; and
| | - Eric Spierings
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; and
| | - Debbie van Baarle
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; and .,Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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3
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Xu L, Liu Y, Song X, Li Y, Han Y, Zhu T, Cao W, Li T. Naïve CD4 + cell counts significantly decay and high HIV RNA levels contribute to immunological progression in long-term non-progressors infected with HIV by blood products: a cohort study. BMC Immunol 2021; 22:36. [PMID: 34082709 PMCID: PMC8173962 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-021-00426-8] [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: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some long-term non-progressors (LTNPs) have decreasing CD4+ T cell counts and progress to AIDS. Exploring which subsets of CD4+ T cell decreasing and the determinants associated with the decay in these patients will improve disease progression surveillance and provide further understanding of HIV pathogenesis. METHODS Twenty-five LTNPs infected with HIV by blood products were classified as decreased (DG) if their CD4+ cell count dropped to < 400 cells/μL during follow-up or as non-decreased (non-DG) if their CD4+ cell count was ≥400 cells/μL. Laboratory and clinical assessments were conducted at 6 consecutive visits to identify DG characteristics. RESULTS The LTNPs were infected with HIV for 12 (IQR: 11.5-14) years, and 23 were classified as the B' subtype. Six individuals lost LTNP status 14.5 (IQR: 12.5-17.5) years after infection (DG), and the CD4+ T cell count decreased to 237 (IQR: 213-320) cells/μL at the latest visit. The naïve CD4+ T cell count decrease was greater than that of memory CD4+ T cells [- 128 (IQR: - 196, - 107) vs - 64 (IQR: - 182, - 25) cells/μL)]. Nineteen individuals retained LTNP status (non-DG). At enrolment, the viral load (VL) level (p = 0.03) and CD8+CD38+ percentage (p = 0.03) were higher in DG than non-DG individuals. During follow-up, viral load and CD8+CD38+ percentage were significantly increased and negatively associated with CD4+ cell count [(r = - 0.529, p = 0.008), (r = - 0.476, p = 0.019), respectively]. However, the CD8+CD28+ percentage and B cell count dropped in DG and were positively correlated with CD4+ T cell count [(r = 0.448, p = 0.028), (r = 0.785, p < 0.001)]. CONCLUSION Immunological progression was mainly characterized by the decrease of naïve CD4+ T cell in LTNPs infected with HIV by blood products and it may be associated with high HIV RNA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yubin Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojing Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanling Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Cao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Taisheng Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. .,Clinical Immunology Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. .,Tsinghua University Medical College, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing Street, Beijing, 100730, China.
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4
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Singh MV, Suwunnakorn S, Simpson SR, Weber EA, Singh VB, Kalinski P, Maggirwar SB. Monocytes complexed to platelets differentiate into functionally deficient dendritic cells. J Leukoc Biol 2021; 109:807-820. [PMID: 32663904 PMCID: PMC7854860 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.3a0620-460rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to their role in hemostasis, platelets store numerous immunoregulatory molecules such as CD40L, TGFβ, β2-microglobulin, and IL-1β and release them upon activation. Previous studies indicate that activated platelets form transient complexes with monocytes, especially in HIV infected individuals and induce a proinflammatory monocyte phenotype. Because monocytes can act as precursors of dendritic cells (DCs) during infection/inflammation as well as for generation of DC-based vaccine therapies, we evaluated the impact of activated platelets on monocyte differentiation into DCs. We observed that in vitro cultured DCs derived from platelet-monocyte complexes (PMCs) exhibit reduced levels of molecules critical to DC function (CD206, dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing nonintegrin, CD80, CD86, CCR7) and reduced antigen uptake capacity. DCs derived from PMCs also showed reduced ability to activate naïve CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and secrete IL-12p70 in response to CD40L stimulation, resulting in decreased ability to promote type-1 immune responses to HIV antigens. Our results indicate that formation of complexes with activated platelets can suppress the development of functional DCs from such monocytes. Disruption of PMCs in vivo via antiplatelet drugs such as Clopidogrel/Prasugrel or the application of platelet-free monocytes for DCs generation in vitro, may be used to enhance immunization and augment the immune control of HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meera V Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Sumanun Suwunnakorn
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Sydney R Simpson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Emily A Weber
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Vir B Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Pawel Kalinski
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Sanjay B Maggirwar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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5
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Liu Y, Li X, Han Y, Qiu Z, Song X, Li B, Zhang H, Wang H, Feng K, Liu L, Wang J, Sun M, Li T. High APRIL Levels Are Associated With Slow Disease Progression and Low Immune Activation in Chronic HIV-1-Infected Patients. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:299. [PMID: 32850873 PMCID: PMC7396611 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) has been determined to be involved in HIV-1 infection and is correlated with disease progression, while its homologous molecule, a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), is less frequently reported, and its role remains unclear. We aimed to characterize the APRIL levels in subjects with different HIV-1 infection statuses and determine the relationships with disease progression and immune activation. Methods: The plasma levels of APRIL were compared among 17 long-term non-progressors (LTNPs), 17 typical progressors (TPs), 10 ART-treated patients, and 10 healthy donors (HDs). Seventeen LTNPs and a subset of TPs (n = 6) who initiated ART were assessed longitudinally. The correlations between the APRIL levels and markers of disease progression, B-cell count and specific antibody response, and markers of immune activation and functional cells were analyzed. Results: The circulating APRIL levels were significantly elevated in the LTNPs relative to the TPs, ART-treated patients, and HDs. The longitudinal investigation revealed that the APRIL levels were decreased during follow-up in the LTNPs. ART did not significantly influence the APRIL levels. The levels of plasma APRIL were negatively correlated with the plasma HIV-1 viral load and cellular HIV-1 DNA levels and positively correlated with the CD4+ T-cell count and CD4/CD8 ratio. An inverse correlation was observed between the APRIL and BAFF levels. Furthermore, the APRIL levels were negatively correlated with the frequency of activated CD8+ T cells and levels of interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Finally, positive correlations were observed among the APRIL levels, the frequency of CD8+CD28+ T cells, and natural killer (NK) cell count. Conclusion: The APRIL levels were elevated in the LTNPs and negatively correlated with disease progression and immune activation, suggesting likely protective activity in HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubin Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuxia Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhifeng Qiu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojing Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bingxiang Li
- Institute of Medical Biology, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research & Development on Severe Infectious Diseases, Kunming, China
| | - Han Zhang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research & Development on Severe Infectious Diseases, Kunming, China
| | - Hongye Wang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research & Development on Severe Infectious Diseases, Kunming, China
| | - Kai Feng
- Institute of Medical Biology, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research & Development on Severe Infectious Diseases, Kunming, China
| | - Longding Liu
- Institute of Medical Biology, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research & Development on Severe Infectious Diseases, Kunming, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research & Development on Severe Infectious Diseases, Kunming, China
| | - Ming Sun
- Institute of Medical Biology, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research & Development on Severe Infectious Diseases, Kunming, China
| | - Taisheng Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Clinical Immunology Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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6
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Chan HY, Zhang J, Garliss CC, Kwaa AK, Blankson JN, Smith KN. A T Cell Receptor Sequencing-Based Assay Identifies Cross-Reactive Recall CD8 + T Cell Clonotypes Against Autologous HIV-1 Epitope Variants. Front Immunol 2020; 11:591. [PMID: 32318072 PMCID: PMC7154155 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 positive elite controllers or suppressors control viral replication without antiretroviral therapy, likely via CTL-mediated elimination of infected cells, and therefore represent a model of an HIV-1 functional cure. Efforts to cure HIV-1 accordingly rely on the existence or generation of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) to eradicate infected cells upon reversal of latency. Detecting and quantifying these HIV-1-specific CTL responses will be crucial for developing vaccine and T cell-based immunotherapies. A recently developed assay, called MANAFEST, uses T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ sequencing of peptide-stimulated cultures followed by a bioinformatic pipeline to identify neoantigen-specific T cells in cancer patients. This assay is more sensitive than conventional immune assays and therefore has the possibility to identify HIV-1 antigenic targets that have not been previously explored for vaccine or T cell immunotherapeutic strategies. Here we show that a modified version of the MANAFEST assay, called ViraFEST, can identify memory CD8+ T cell responses against autologous HIV-1 Gag and Nef epitope variants in an elite suppressor. Nine TCR Vβ clonotypes were identified and 6 of these were cross-reactive for autologous variants or known escape variants. Our findings are a proof of principle that the ViraFEST assay can be used to detect and monitor these responses for downstream use in immunotherapeutic treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hok Yee Chan
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jiajia Zhang
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Caroline C Garliss
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Abena K Kwaa
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Joel N Blankson
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kellie N Smith
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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7
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Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) CD8+ T-cells that express interferon-gamma contribute to HIV associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0116526. [PMID: 25719800 PMCID: PMC4342256 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background HIV associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) continue to affect cognition and everyday functioning despite anti-retroviral treatment (ART). Previous studies focused on mechanisms related to monocyte/macrophage mediated inflammation. However, in the ART era, there is increasing evidence for the involvement of CD8+ T-cells in CNS pathogenesis. Methods To investigate the relationship between T-cell responses and neurocognitive impairment (NCI), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell intracellular cytokine (IFNγ, IL-2, TNFα) and lytic marker (CD107a) expression were assessed in HIV infected subjects who underwent comprehensive neurocognitive (NC) evaluation and either initiated or changed ART. Results Data were collected from 31 participants at 70 visits. The frequency of cytokine expressing T-cells in CSF was significantly higher than in peripheral blood for CD4+T-cells: TNFα, IL-2, IFNγ and CD8+T-cells: IL-2 and IFNγ. Analysis of T-cell activity and NCI as a function of CSF HIV RNA levels suggested a general association between NCI, high CSF CD8+ (but not CD4+T-cell) cytokine expression and CSF HIV RNA <103 copies/ml (p<0.0001). Specifically, CSF CD8+ T-cell IFNγ expression correlated with severity of NCI (r = 0.57, p = 0.004). Multivariable analyses indicated that CSF CD8+T-cell IFNγ and myeloid activation (CD163) contributed equally and independently to cognitive status and a composite variable produced the strongest correlation with NCI (r = 0.83, p = 0.0001). In contrast, CD8+ cytolytic activity (CD107a expression) was negatively correlated with NCI (p = 0.05) but was dependent on CD4 levels >400/μl and low CSF HIV RNA levels (<103 copies/ml). In our longitudinal analysis of 16 subjects, higher CSF CD8+IFNγ expression at baseline predicted NC decline at follow-up (p = 0.02). Severity of NCI at follow-up correlated with level of residual HIV RNA in CSF. Conclusions Presence of IFNγ expressing CD8+ T-cells, absence of cytolytic CD8+ T-cells, high myeloid activation, and failure of ART to suppress HIV replication in CSF contribute to increased risk of HAND.
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8
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Pereyra F, Heckerman D, Carlson JM, Kadie C, Soghoian DZ, Karel D, Goldenthal A, Davis OB, DeZiel CE, Lin T, Peng J, Piechocka A, Carrington M, Walker BD. HIV control is mediated in part by CD8+ T-cell targeting of specific epitopes. J Virol 2014; 88:12937-48. [PMID: 25165115 PMCID: PMC4249072 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01004-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED We investigated the hypothesis that the correlation between the class I HLA types of an individual and whether that individual spontaneously controls HIV-1 is mediated by the targeting of specific epitopes by CD8(+) T cells. By measuring gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assay responses to a panel of 257 optimally defined epitopes in 341 untreated HIV-infected persons, including persons who spontaneously control viremia, we found that the correlation between HLA types and control is mediated by the targeting of specific epitopes. Moreover, we performed a graphical model-based analysis that suggested that the targeting of specific epitopes is a cause of such control--that is, some epitopes are protective rather than merely associated with control--and identified eight epitopes that are significantly protective. In addition, we use an in silico analysis to identify protein regions where mutations are likely to affect the stability of a protein, and we found that the protective epitopes identified by the ELISPOT analysis correspond almost perfectly to such regions. This in silico analysis thus suggests a possible mechanism for control and could be used to identify protective epitopes that are not often targeted in natural infection but that may be potentially useful in a vaccine. Our analyses thus argue for the inclusion (and exclusion) of specific epitopes in an HIV vaccine. IMPORTANCE Some individuals naturally control HIV replication in the absence of antiretroviral therapy, and this ability to control is strongly correlated with the HLA class I alleles that they express. Here, in a large-scale experimental study, we provide evidence that this correlation is mediated largely by the targeting of specific CD8(+) T-cell epitopes, and we identify eight epitopes that are likely to cause control. In addition, we provide an in silico analysis indicating that control occurs because mutations within these epitopes change the stability of the protein structures. This in silico analysis also identified additional epitopes that are not typically targeted in natural infection but may lead to control when included in a vaccine, provided that other epitopes that would otherwise distract the immune system from targeting them are excluded from the vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florencia Pereyra
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Carl Kadie
- Microsoft Research, Redmond, Washington, USA
| | | | - Daniel Karel
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ariel Goldenthal
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Oliver B Davis
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Tienho Lin
- Microsoft Research, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jian Peng
- Microsoft Research, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alicja Piechocka
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mary Carrington
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Cancer and Inflammation Program, Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Bruce D Walker
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
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9
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Tongo M, Burgers WA. Challenges in the design of a T cell vaccine in the context of HIV-1 diversity. Viruses 2014; 6:3968-90. [PMID: 25341662 PMCID: PMC4213573 DOI: 10.3390/v6103968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 10/15/2014] [Accepted: 10/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The extraordinary variability of HIV-1 poses a major obstacle to vaccine development. The effectiveness of a vaccine is likely to vary dramatically in different populations infected with different HIV-1 subtypes, unless innovative vaccine immunogens are developed to protect against the range of HIV-1 diversity. Immunogen design for stimulating neutralizing antibody responses focuses on “breadth” – the targeting of a handful of highly conserved neutralizing determinants on the HIV-1 Envelope protein that can recognize the majority of viruses across all HIV-1 subtypes. An effective vaccine will likely require the generation of both broadly cross-neutralizing antibodies and non-neutralizing antibodies, as well as broadly cross-reactive T cells. Several approaches have been taken to design such broadly-reactive and cross-protective T cell immunogens. Artificial sequences have been designed that reduce the genetic distance between a vaccine strain and contemporary circulating viruses; “mosaic” immunogens extend this concept to contain multiple potential T cell epitope (PTE) variants; and further efforts attempt to focus T cell immunity on highly conserved regions of the HIV-1 genome. Thus far, a number of pre-clinical and early clinical studies have been performed assessing these new immunogens. In this review, the potential use of these new immunogens is explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Tongo
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Division of Medical Virology, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Wendy A Burgers
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Division of Medical Virology, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa.
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10
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Complex T-cell receptor repertoire dynamics underlie the CD8+ T-cell response to HIV-1. J Virol 2014; 89:110-9. [PMID: 25320304 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01765-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Although CD8(+) T cells are important for the control of HIV-1 in vivo, the precise correlates of immune efficacy remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of viral sequence variation and T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire composition across multiple epitope specificities in a group of antiretroviral treatment-naive individuals chronically infected with HIV-1. A negative correlation was detected between changes in antigen-specific TCR repertoire diversity and CD8(+) T-cell response magnitude, reflecting clonotypic expansions and contractions related to alterations in cognate viral epitope sequences. These patterns were independent of the individual, as evidenced by discordant clonotype-specific transitions directed against different epitopes in single subjects. Moreover, long-term asymptomatic HIV-1 infection was characterized by evolution of the TCR repertoire in parallel with viral replication. Collectively, these data suggest a continuous bidirectional process of adaptation between HIV-1 and virus-specific CD8(+) T-cell clonotypes orchestrated at the TCR-antigen interface. IMPORTANCE We describe a relation between viral epitope mutation, antigen-specific T-cell expansion, and the repertoire of responding clonotypes in chronic HIV-1 infection. This work provides insights into the process of coadaptation between the human immune system and a rapidly evolving lentivirus.
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11
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Mann JK, Chopera D, Omarjee S, Kuang XT, Le AQ, Anmole G, Danroth R, Mwimanzi P, Reddy T, Carlson J, Radebe M, Goulder PJR, Walker BD, Abdool Karim S, Novitsky V, Williamson C, Brockman MA, Brumme ZL, Ndung'u T. Nef-mediated down-regulation of CD4 and HLA class I in HIV-1 subtype C infection: association with disease progression and influence of immune pressure. Virology 2014; 468-470:214-225. [PMID: 25193656 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2014.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Revised: 06/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Nef plays a major role in HIV-1 pathogenicity. We studied HIV-1 subtype C infected individuals in acute/early (n = 120) or chronic (n = 207) infection to investigate the relationship between Nef-mediated CD4/HLA-I down-regulation activities and disease progression, and the influence of immune-driven sequence variation on these Nef functions. A single Nef sequence per individual was cloned into an expression plasmid, followed by transfection of a T cell line and measurement of CD4 and HLA-I expression. In early infection, a trend of higher CD4 down-regulation ability correlating with higher viral load set point was observed (r = 0.19, p = 0.05), and higher HLA-I down-regulation activity was significantly associated with faster rate of CD4 decline (p = 0.02). HLA-I down-regulation function correlated inversely with the number HLA-associated polymorphisms previously associated with reversion in the absence of the selecting HLA allele (r = -0.21, p = 0.0002). These data support consideration of certain Nef regions in HIV-1 vaccine strategies designed to attenuate the infection course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaclyn K Mann
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Durban 4001, South Africa; KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Denis Chopera
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Durban 4001, South Africa; KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, and the Division of Medical Virology, University of Cape Town and National Health Laboratory Services, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Saleha Omarjee
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Durban 4001, South Africa; KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Xiaomei T Kuang
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6
| | - Anh Q Le
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6
| | - Gursev Anmole
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6
| | - Ryan Danroth
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6
| | - Philip Mwimanzi
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6
| | - Tarylee Reddy
- Medical Research Council, Biostatistics Unit, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Jonathan Carlson
- Microsoft Research, Los Angeles, CA 90024, United States of America
| | - Mopo Radebe
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Durban 4001, South Africa; KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Philip J R Goulder
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, United Kingdom; Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Bruce D Walker
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Research Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Salim Abdool Karim
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Vladimir Novitsky
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Botswana-Harvard School of Public Health AIDS Initiative Partnership for HIV Research and Education, P/Bag BO 320, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Carolyn Williamson
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, and the Division of Medical Virology, University of Cape Town and National Health Laboratory Services, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Mark A Brockman
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6
| | - Zabrina L Brumme
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6; British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6
| | - Thumbi Ndung'u
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Durban 4001, South Africa; KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa; Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Chariteplatz, D-10117 Berlin, Germany.
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12
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Ineffectual targeting of HIV-1 Nef by cytotoxic T lymphocytes in acute infection results in no functional impairment or viremia reduction. J Virol 2014; 88:7881-92. [PMID: 24789790 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00482-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) accessory protein Nef is heavily targeted by CD8(+) T lymphocytes (CTLs) during acute infection and therefore is included in many candidate vaccines. We investigated whether CTL targeting of Nef during acute infection contributes to immune control by disrupting the function of Nef. The sequence and function of Nef in parallel with CTL responses were assessed longitudinally from peak viremia until the viremia set point in a cohort of six subjects with acute infection. All but one individual had a single founder strain. Nef-specific CTL responses were detected in all subjects and declined in magnitude over time. These responses were associated with mutations, but none of the mutations were detected in important functional motifs. Nef-mediated downregulation of CD4 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules was better preserved in acute infection than in chronic infection. Finally, Nef-specific CTL responses were not associated with a reduction in viremia from its acute-phase peak. Our results indicate that CTLs targeting Nef epitopes outside critical functional domains have little effect on the pathogenic functions of Nef, rendering these responses ineffective in acute infection. Importance: These data indicate that using the whole Nef protein as a vaccine immunogen likely allows immunodominance that leads to targeting of CTL responses that are rapidly escaped with little effect on Nef-mediated pathogenic functions. Pursuing vaccination approaches that can more precisely direct responses to vulnerable areas would maximize efficacy. Until vaccine-induced targeting can be optimized, other approaches, such as the use of Nef function inhibitors or the pursuit of immunotherapies such as T cell receptor gene therapy or adoptive transfer, may be more likely to result in successful control of viremia.
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13
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Differential impact of magnitude, polyfunctional capacity, and specificity of HIV-specific CD8+ T cell responses on HIV set point. J Virol 2013; 88:1819-24. [PMID: 24227857 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02968-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Defining the characteristics of HIV-specific CD8(+) T cell responses that lead to viral control is crucial for vaccine development. We evaluated the differential impact of magnitude, polyfunctional capacity, and specificity of the CD8(+) response at approximately 6 months postinfection on the viral set point at 12 months in a cohort of HIV-infected individuals. High frequencies of Gag and Nef responses endowed with four functions were the best predictors of a low viral set point.
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14
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Adland E, Carlson JM, Paioni P, Kløverpris H, Shapiro R, Ogwu A, Riddell L, Luzzi G, Chen F, Balachandran T, Heckerman D, Stryhn A, Edwards A, Ndung’u T, Walker BD, Buus S, Goulder P, Matthews PC. Nef-specific CD8+ T cell responses contribute to HIV-1 immune control. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73117. [PMID: 24023819 PMCID: PMC3759414 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Accepted: 07/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies in the SIV-macaque model of HIV infection suggest that Nef-specific CD8+ T-cell responses may mediate highly effective immune control of viraemia. In HIV infection Nef recognition dominates in acute infection, but in large cohort studies of chronically infected subjects, breadth of T cell responses to Nef has not been correlated with significant viraemic control. Improved disease outcomes have instead been associated with targeting Gag and, in some cases, Pol. However analyses of the breadth of Nef-specific T cell responses have been confounded by the extreme immunogenicity and multiple epitope overlap within the central regions of Nef, making discrimination of distinct responses impossible via IFN-gamma ELISPOT assays. Thus an alternative approach to assess Nef as an immune target is needed. Here, we show in a cohort of >700 individuals with chronic C-clade infection that >50% of HLA-B-selected polymorphisms within Nef are associated with a predicted fitness cost to the virus, and that HLA-B alleles that successfully drive selection within Nef are those linked with lower viral loads. Furthermore, the specific CD8+ T cell epitopes that are restricted by protective HLA Class I alleles correspond substantially to effective SIV-specific epitopes in Nef. Distinguishing such individual HIV-specific responses within Nef requires specific peptide-MHC I tetramers. Overall, these data suggest that CD8+ T cell targeting of certain specific Nef epitopes contributes to HIV suppression. These data suggest that a re-evaluation of the potential use of Nef in HIV T-cell vaccine candidates would be justified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Adland
- Department of Paediatrics, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Jonathan M. Carlson
- Microsoft Research, eScience Group, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Paolo Paioni
- Department of Paediatrics, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Henrik Kløverpris
- Department of Paediatrics, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis & HIV, K-RITH, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZuluNatal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Roger Shapiro
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Anthony Ogwu
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Lynn Riddell
- Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust,Northampton General Hospital, Northampton, United Kingdom
| | - Graz Luzzi
- Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Wycombe Hospital, High Wycombe, Bucks, United Kingdom
| | - Fabian Chen
- Department of Sexual Health, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Thambiah Balachandran
- Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Luton, United Kingdom
| | - David Heckerman
- Microsoft Research, eScience Group, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Anette Stryhn
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Edwards
- The Oxford Department of Genitourinary Medicine, the Churchill Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Thumbi Ndung’u
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, the Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZuluNatal, Durban, South Africa
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Bruce D. Walker
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, the Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZuluNatal, Durban, South Africa
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Søren Buus
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Philip Goulder
- Department of Paediatrics, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, the Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZuluNatal, Durban, South Africa
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Philippa C. Matthews
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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The influence of HLA on HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment in Anhui, China. PLoS One 2012; 7:e32303. [PMID: 22693541 PMCID: PMC3365058 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2011] [Accepted: 01/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background HLA-DR*04 was identified as a predictor of HIV-Associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), low CD4 T-cell responses to HIV, and low plasma HIV RNA levels in a U.S. cohort. We hypothesized that low CD4 T-cell activation leads to poor immune control of HIV in the CNS, predisposing to HAND, but also provided fewer target (activated CD4 T-cells) for HIV replication. To assess the consistency of these HLA Class II associations in a new cohort and extend analysis to HLA Class I, HLA types, neurocognitive, and virologic status were examined in a cohort of former plasma donors in China. Methods 178 HIV infected individuals in Anhui China, were HLA typed and underwent neurocognitive evaluations (using locally standardized norms), neuromedical, treatment and virologic assessments at baseline and at 12 months. Results HLA DR*04 was associated with a higher rate of baseline neurocognitive impairment (p = 0.04), neurocognitive decline (p = 0.04), and lower levels of HIV RNA in plasma (p = 0.05). HLA Class I alleles (B*27,57,58,A*03,33) that specify a CD8 T-cell response to conserved HIV sequences were neuroprotective, associated with less impairment at baseline (p = 0.037), at month 012 (p = 0.013) and less neurocognitive decline (p = 0.023) in the interval. Consistent with the theory that effective CD8 T-cell responses require CD4 T-cell support, the HLA DR*04 allele reduced the neuroprotective effect of the Class I alleles. The presence of HLA-DR*04 and the Alzheimer associated allele ApoE4 in the same individual had a synergistic negative effect on cognition (p = 0.003). Conclusions Despite major background differences between U.S. and Anhui China cohorts, HLA DR*04 predicted neurocognitive impairment and lower plasma HIV RNA levels in both populations. HLA Class I alleles associated with CD8 T-cell control of HIV were associated with protection from HAND, but protection was reduced in the presence of HLA-DR*04.
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The Sydney Blood Bank Cohort: implications for viral fitness as a cause of elite control. Curr Opin HIV AIDS 2011; 6:151-6. [PMID: 21378562 DOI: 10.1097/coh.0b013e3283454d5b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The Sydney Blood Bank Cohort comprised eight individuals who were infected with an attenuated, nef/LTR-deleted strain of HIV-1 from a single donor. All six recipients with sufficient follow-up, as well as the donor, were long-term nonprogressors. Only three recipients have maintained undetectable plasma viral loads, allowing investigation of factors that determined elite control of attenuated HIV-1 infection. RECENT FINDINGS Follow-up of recipients showed that infection with this attenuated HIV-1 strain resulted in either low or absent viral replication in vivo for up to 29 years. The three patients without detectable viraemia have been studied for virological, genetic and immunological correlates of elite control. CD4 proliferation in vitro in response to p24 provided the clearest distinction of elite controllers from the slow progressors. Host factors are believed to differentiate the three elite controllers; only one, C135, has identifiable genetic polymorphisms that probably contributed to nonprogression: Δ32 CCR5 heterozygosity, HLA-B57 and HLA-DR13 alleles, in addition to infection with nef-defective HIV-1. SUMMARY Even nef-defective HIV-1 can lead to sufficient replication in vivo to enable viral evolution and eventual progression to immunodeficiency. Host factors modified the outcome of infection with attenuated HIV-1, as exemplified by the unique patient C135.
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Distinct differentiation profiles of HIV-Gag and Nef-specific central memory CD8+ T cells associated with HLA-B57/5801 and virus control. AIDS 2010; 24:2323-9. [PMID: 20802296 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0b013e32833e5009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A superior capacity of controlling HIV has been attributed to CD8(+) T cells directed against HIV-Gag compared to Nef, particularly in the context of some protective human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles. To further elucidate this protective effect, we compared the multifunctional and differentiation characteristics of CD8(+) T cells specific for HIV-Gag and Nef in HLA-B57/5801-positive and negative nonprogressors. METHODS A head-to-head comparison of CD8(+) T cells specific for HIV-Gag and Nef frequencies, cytokine production and differentiation was conducted, in 11 HLA-B57/5801 and 11 HLA-B57/5801 HIV-infected individuals selected from a cohort of 53 nonprogressors by using IFN-gamma-ELISpot assay and flow cytometry analysis of intracellular cytokine production and differentiation profile. Correlations with HIV parameters were studied. RESULTS Frequencies of Gag-specific but not of Nef-specific CD8(+) T cells correlated with peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-associated HIV-DNA. The HIV-Gag and Nef-specific CD8(+) T cells did not differ for IL-2 production in either HLA-B57/5801 or HLA-B57/5801 individuals. The IFN-gamma-producing Gag-specific CD8(+) T cells in HLA-B57/5801 individuals significantly differed from their Nef-specific counterparts by displaying higher proportions of central memory CD45RACCR7 cells positive for CD27(+). This differentiation pattern was not observed in HLA-B57/5801 individuals. Only these HLA-B57/5801-positive Gag-specific CD27(+) central memory CD8(+) T cells, but not their Nef-specific counterparts, negatively correlated with cell-associated HIV-DNA. CONCLUSION HLA-B57/5801 drives a preferential CD27(+) differentiation of central memory CD8(+) T cells directed against HIV-Gag but not Nef that may contribute to the ability of Gag-specific CD8(+) T cells to better control HIV in HLA-B57/5801 nonprogressors.
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Disease progression due to dual infection in an HLA-B57-positive asymptomatic long-term nonprogressor infected with a nef-defective HIV-1 strain. Virology 2010; 405:81-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2010.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2010] [Revised: 04/07/2010] [Accepted: 05/24/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Ahlers JD, Belyakov IM. Lessons learned from natural infection: focusing on the design of protective T cell vaccines for HIV/AIDS. Trends Immunol 2010; 31:120-30. [PMID: 20089450 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2009.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2009] [Revised: 12/08/2009] [Accepted: 12/11/2009] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses are crucial in establishing the control of persistent virus infections. Population studies of HIV-1-infected individuals suggest that CD8(+) CTL responses targeting epitopes that take the greatest toll on virus replication are instrumental in immune control. A major question for vaccine design is whether incorporating epitopes responsible for controlling a persistent virus will translate into protection from natural infection or serve solely as a fail-safe mechanism to prevent overt disease in infected individuals. Here, we discuss qualitative parameters of the CD8(+) CTL response and mechanisms operative in the control of persistent virus infections and suggest new strategies for design and delivery of HIV vaccines.
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21
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Blankson JN. Effector mechanisms in HIV-1 infected elite controllers: highly active immune responses? Antiviral Res 2009; 85:295-302. [PMID: 19733595 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2009.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2009] [Revised: 07/30/2009] [Accepted: 08/30/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Elite controllers (EC) are HIV-1 infected patients control viral replication to a level of <50 copies/ml without antiretroviral therapy. These patients are also known as elite suppressors, or HIV controllers, and they differ from traditional long-term non-progressors (LTNPs) who maintain stable CD4 counts and are asymptomatic without antiretroviral therapy. Recent studies suggest that many EC are infected with replication-competent virus. Thus it appears that host factors such as innate immunity, the humoral immune response, and the cellular immune response are involved in the suppression of viral replication in EC. This article will review the effector mechanisms that are thought to play a role in the remarkable control of viral replication seen in these patients. This article forms part of a special issue of Antiviral Research marking the 25th anniversary of antiretroviral drug discovery and development, Vol 85, issue 1, 2010.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel N Blankson
- Broadway Research Bldg, Rm 880, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 722 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States.
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22
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Epidemiologically linked transmission of HIV-1 illustrates the impact of host genetics on virological outcome. AIDS 2009; 23:259-62. [PMID: 19098497 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0b013e328315a78b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The diversity of HIV-1 and human genetics complicates our ability to determine the impact of treatment during primary HIV-1 infection on disease outcome. Here, we show, in a small group infected with virtually identical HIV-1 strains and treated during primary HIV-1 infection, that patients expressing protective human leucocyte antigen alleles had lower viral loads following treatment discontinuation. These data suggest that genetic factors play an important role in the outcome of HIV-1 infection despite early therapy.
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Baker BM, Block BL, Rothchild AC, Walker BD. Elite control of HIV infection: implications for vaccine design. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2009; 9:55-69. [PMID: 19063693 DOI: 10.1517/14712590802571928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 'Elite controllers' are rare HIV-infected individuals who are able to spontaneously control HIV replication without medication, maintaining viral loads that are consistently below the limits of detection by currently available commercial assays. OBJECTIVE To examine studies of elite controllers that may elucidate mechanisms of HIV immune control useful in designing a vaccine. METHODS Recent literature on HIV controllers and studies that have evaluated aspects of viral and host immunology that correlate with viral control are examined. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS Although many elements of innate and adaptive immunity are associated with control of HIV infection, the specific mechanism(s) by which elite controllers achieve control remain undefined. Ongoing studies of elite controllers, including those examining host genetic polymorphisms, should facilitate the definition of an effective HIV-specific immune response and guide vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- B M Baker
- Partners AIDS Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Division of AIDS, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
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Evidence of CD8+ T-cell-mediated selective pressure on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 nef in HLA-B*57+ elite suppressors. J Virol 2008; 83:88-97. [PMID: 18945771 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01958-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Elite suppressors (ES) are human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected patients who maintain viral loads of <50 copies/ml without treatment. The observation that the HLA-B*57 allele is overrepresented in these patients implies that HIV-1-specific CD8(+) T cells play a key role in suppressing viral replication. We have previously shown that while CD8(+) T-cell escape mutations are rarely seen in proviral Gag sequences in resting CD4(+) T cells from peripheral blood, they are present in every clone amplified from the low levels of free virus in the plasma of HLA-B*57(+) ES. In this study, we compared the pattern of mutations in Nef sequences amplified from peripheral blood CD4(+) T cells and from plasma virus. We show that Nef mutations are present in plasma virus but are rare in the cellular sequences and provide evidence that these plasma Nef variants represent novel escape mutants. The results provide further evidence of CD8(+) T-cell-mediated selective pressure on plasma virus in ES and suggest that there must be ongoing HIV-1 replication in spite of the very low viral loads seen for these patients.
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