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Moyano A, Ndlovu B, Mbele M, Naidoo K, Khan N, Mann JK, Ndung'u T. Differing natural killer cell, T cell and antibody profiles in antiretroviral-naive HIV-1 viraemic controllers with and without protective HLA alleles. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286507. [PMID: 37267224 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous work suggests that HIV controllers with protective human leukocyte antigen class I alleles (VC+) possess a high breadth of Gag-specific CD8+ T cell responses, while controllers without protective alleles (VC-) have a different unknown mechanism of control. We aimed to gain further insight into potential mechanisms of control in VC+ and VC-. We studied 15 VC+, 12 VC- and 4 healthy uninfected individuals (UI). CD8+ T cell responses were measured by ELISpot. Flow cytometry was performed to analyse surface markers for activation, maturation, and exhaustion on natural killer (NK) cell and T cells, as well as cytokine secretion from stimulated NK cells. We measured plasma neutralization activity against a panel of 18 Env-pseudotyped viruses using the TZM-bl neutralization assay. We found no significant differences in the magnitude and breadth of CD8+ T cell responses between VC+ and VC-. However, NK cells from VC- had higher levels of activation markers (HLA-DR and CD38) (p = 0.03), and lower cytokine expression (MIP-1β and TNF-α) (p = 0.05 and p = 0.04, respectively) than NK cells from VC+. T cells from VC- had higher levels of activation (CD38 and HLA-DR co-expression) (p = 0.05), as well as a trend towards higher expression of the terminal differentiation marker CD57 (p = 0.09) when compared to VC+. There was no difference in overall neutralization breadth between VC+ and VC- groups, although there was a trend for higher neutralization potency in the VC- group (p = 0.09). Altogether, these results suggest that VC- have a more activated NK cell profile with lower cytokine expression, and a more terminally differentiated and activated T cell profile than VC+. VC- also showed a trend of more potent neutralizing antibody responses that may enhance viral clearance. Further studies are required to understand how these NK, T cell and antibody profiles may contribute to differing mechanisms of control in VC+ and VC-.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Moyano
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Durban, South Africa
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Bongiwe Ndlovu
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Msizi Mbele
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Kewreshini Naidoo
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Nasreen Khan
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Jaclyn K Mann
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Thumbi Ndung'u
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Durban, South Africa
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The design of an HIV vaccine remains an elusive but top priority. Data from the non-human primate model and the first moderately protective HIV vaccine trial (RV144) point to a role for qualitative changes in humoral immune functions in protection from infection. Here, we review the current understanding of the antibody response throughout HIV infection, the known correlates of protection, and current strategies to manipulate antibodies to put an end to the epidemic. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies point to innate immune-recruiting antibody function in preventing infection as well as controlling viremia following infection. These data have begun to inform next-generation design of HIV vaccines and antibody therapies by uncovering new viral targets and antibody architectures to improve potency and breadth. Emerging data illustrate a role for innate immune recruiting-antibodies in conferring protection against HIV infection as well as promoting viral control and clearance, offering an unprecedented opportunity to modulate and improve antibody function to fight HIV more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey L. Butler
- The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, 400 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
| | - Stephanie Fischinger
- The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, 400 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
| | - Galit Alter
- The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, 400 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
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eCD4-Ig Variants That More Potently Neutralize HIV-1. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.02011-17. [PMID: 29593050 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02011-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry inhibitor eCD4-Ig is a fusion of CD4-Ig and a coreceptor-mimetic peptide. eCD4-Ig is markedly more potent than CD4-Ig, with neutralization efficiencies approaching those of HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). However, unlike bNAbs, eCD4-Ig neutralized all HIV-1, HIV-2, and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) isolates that it has been tested against, suggesting that it may be useful in clinical settings, where antibody escape is a concern. Here, we characterize three new eCD4-Ig variants, each with a different architecture and each utilizing D1.22, a stabilized form of CD4 domain 1. These variants were 10- to 20-fold more potent than our original eCD4-Ig variant, with a construct bearing four D1.22 domains (eD1.22-HL-Ig) exhibiting the greatest potency. However, this variant mediated less efficient antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity than eCD4-Ig itself or several other eCD4-Ig variants, including the smallest variant (eD1.22-Ig). A variant with the same architecture as the original eCD4-Ig (eD1.22-D2-Ig) showed modestly higher thermal stability and best prevented the promotion of infection of CCR5-positive, CD4-negative cells. All three variants, and eCD4-Ig itself, mediated more efficient shedding of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 than did CD4-Ig. Finally, we show that only three D1.22 mutations contributed to the potency of eD1.22-D2-Ig and that introduction of these changes into eCD4-Ig resulted in a variant 9-fold more potent than eCD4-Ig and 2-fold more potent than eD1.22-D2-Ig. These studies will assist in developing eCD4-Ig variants with properties optimized for prophylaxis, therapy, and cure applications.IMPORTANCE HIV-1 bNAbs have properties different from those of antiretroviral compounds. Specifically, antibodies can enlist immune effector cells to eliminate infected cells, whereas antiretroviral compounds simply interfere with various steps in the viral life cycle. Unfortunately, HIV-1 is adept at evading antibody recognition, limiting the utility of antibodies as a treatment for HIV-1 infection or as part of an effort to eradicate latently infected cells. eCD4-Ig is an antibody-like entry inhibitor that closely mimics HIV-1's obligate receptors. eCD4-Ig appears to be qualitatively different from antibodies, since it neutralizes all HIV-1, HIV-2, and SIV isolates. Here, we characterize three new structurally distinct eCD4-Ig variants and show that each excels in a key property useful to prevent, treat, or cure an HIV-1 infection. For example, one variant neutralized HIV-1 most efficiently, while others best enlisted natural killer cells to eliminate infected cells. These observations will help generate eCD4-Ig variants optimized for different clinical applications.
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Davis-Gardner ME, Gardner MR, Alfant B, Farzan M. eCD4-Ig promotes ADCC activity of sera from HIV-1-infected patients. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006786. [PMID: 29253851 PMCID: PMC5749896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxity (ADCC) can eliminate HIV-1 infected cells, and may help reduce the reservoir of latent virus in infected patients. Sera of HIV-1 positive individuals include a number of antibodies that recognize epitopes usually occluded on HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimers. We have recently described eCD4-Ig, a potent and exceptionally broad inhibitor of HIV-1 entry that can be used to protect rhesus macaques from multiple high-dose challenges with simian-human immunodeficiency virus AD8 (SHIV-AD8). Here we show that eCD4-Ig bearing an IgG1 Fc domain (eCD4-IgG1) can mediate efficient ADCC activity against HIV-1 isolates with differing tropisms, and that it does so at least 10-fold more efficiently than CD4-Ig, even when more CD4-Ig molecules bound cell surface-expressed Env. An ADCC-inactive IgG2 form of eCD4-Ig (eCD4-IgG2) exposes V3-loop and CD4-induced epitopes on cell-expressed trimers, and renders HIV-1-infected cells susceptible to ADCC mediated by antibodies of these classes. Moreover, eCD4-IgG2, but not IgG2 forms of the broadly neutralizing antibodies VRC01 and 10-1074, enhances the ADCC activities of serum antibodies from patients by 100-fold, and significantly enhanced killing of two latently infected T-cell lines reactivated by vorinostat or TNFα. Thus eCD4-Ig is qualitatively different from CD4-Ig or neutralizing antibodies in its ability to mediate ADCC, and it may be uniquely useful in treating HIV-1 infection or reducing the reservoir of latently infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith E. Davis-Gardner
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Matthew R. Gardner
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Barnett Alfant
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Michael Farzan
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
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Quillay H, El Costa H, Duriez M, Marlin R, Cannou C, Madec Y, de Truchis C, Rahmati M, Barré-Sinoussi F, Nugeyre MT, Menu E. NK cells control HIV-1 infection of macrophages through soluble factors and cellular contacts in the human decidua. Retrovirology 2016; 13:39. [PMID: 27267272 PMCID: PMC4895978 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-016-0271-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
During the first trimester of pregnancy, HIV-1 in utero transmission is rare despite the permissivity of the placenta and the decidua (the uterine mucosa during pregnancy) to infection. In the decidua from the first trimester of pregnancy, macrophages (dMs) are the HIV-1 main target cells. Decidual natural killer (dNK) cells account for 70 % of decidual leukocytes. They display distinct phenotype and functions compared to peripheral NK cells. At the periphery, NK cells are involved in the control of HIV-1 infection. In this study, we investigate whether human decidual natural killer (dNK) cells control dM HIV-1 infection. Results Autologous cocultures of infected dMs with dNK cells reveal that dNK cells strongly inhibit dM HIV-1 infection. The addition of dNK cells to dMs at different times after infection suggests that the control occurs before the complete establishment of the infection. Double chamber cocultures show that cellular contacts are necessary for an optimal control of infection. Nevertheless, soluble factors secreted by dMs and dNK cells in double chamber cocultures partially inhibit dM HIV-1 infection, indicating that soluble factors have also a role in the control of infection. IFN-γ secretion is increased in infected and uninfected cocultures. We show that IFN-γ is involved in the control of dM HIV-1 infection by dNK cells. Conclusions These results demonstrate that human dNK cells inhibit efficiently HIV-1 infection in dMs in vitro, and highlight the role of innate immune determinants in the control of HIV-1 transmission. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12977-016-0271-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Quillay
- Unité de Régulation des Infections Rétrovirales, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Cellule Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - H El Costa
- Unité de Régulation des Infections Rétrovirales, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - M Duriez
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM U1135, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI), Persistent Viral Infections (PVI) Team, Paris, France
| | - R Marlin
- Unité de Régulation des Infections Rétrovirales, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Immunology of Viral Infections and Autoimmune Diseases/IDMIT Infrastructure, CEA/DRF/iMETI/Division of Immuno-Virology, Université Paris Sud, Inserm U1184, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.,Vaccine Research Institute (VRI), Créteil, France
| | - C Cannou
- Unité de Régulation des Infections Rétrovirales, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Immunology of Viral Infections and Autoimmune Diseases/IDMIT Infrastructure, CEA/DRF/iMETI/Division of Immuno-Virology, Université Paris Sud, Inserm U1184, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Y Madec
- Unité d'Epidémiologie des Maladies Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - C de Truchis
- Gynecology-Obstetrics Service, A. Béclère Hospital, AP-HP, Clamart, France
| | - M Rahmati
- Gynecology-Obstetrics Service, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - F Barré-Sinoussi
- Unité de Régulation des Infections Rétrovirales, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - M T Nugeyre
- Unité de Régulation des Infections Rétrovirales, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Immunology of Viral Infections and Autoimmune Diseases/IDMIT Infrastructure, CEA/DRF/iMETI/Division of Immuno-Virology, Université Paris Sud, Inserm U1184, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - E Menu
- Unité de Régulation des Infections Rétrovirales, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France. .,Immunology of Viral Infections and Autoimmune Diseases/IDMIT Infrastructure, CEA/DRF/iMETI/Division of Immuno-Virology, Université Paris Sud, Inserm U1184, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
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6
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The role of HIV-specific antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in HIV prevention and the influence of the HIV-1 Vpu protein. AIDS 2015; 29:137-44. [PMID: 25396265 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000000523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is growing interest in the role of anti-HIV antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) antibodies in the prevention and control of HIV infection. Passive transfer studies in macaques support a role for the Fc region of antibodies in assisting in the prevention of simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) infection. The Thai RV144 HIV-1 vaccine trial induced anti-HIV ADCC antibodies that may have played a role in the partial protection observed. Several observational studies support a role for ADCC antibodies in slowing HIV disease progression. However, HIV evolves to escape ADCC antibodies and chronic HIV infections causes dysfunction of effector cells such as natural killer (NK) cells that mediate the ADCC functions. Further, four recent studies show that the HIV-1 Vpu protein, by promoting release of virions, reduces the capacity of ADCC antibodies to recognize HIV-infected cells. The review dissects some of the recent research on HIV-specific ADCC antibodies and discusses mechanisms to further harness ADCC antibodies in the prevention and control of HIV infection.
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Wang W, Wu F, Cong Z, Liu K, Qin C, Wei Q. The secretion of IL-22 from mucosal NKp44⁺ NK cells is associated with microbial translocation and virus infection in SIV/SHIV-infected Chinese macaques. J Immunol Res 2014; 2014:387950. [PMID: 25759828 PMCID: PMC4352435 DOI: 10.1155/2014/387950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2014] [Revised: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial translocation (MT) causes systemic immune activation in chronic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The role of a novel subtype of innate lymphoid cells, the NKp44(+) NK cells, in HIV/simian immunodeficiency virus- (SIV-) induced MT remains unknown. In this study, 12 simian-human immunodeficiency virus- (SHIV-) infected macaques were chosen and split into two groups based on the MT level. Blood and Peripheral lymphoid tissue were sampled for flow cytometric analysis, viral load detection, and interleukin testing. Then, six naive Chinese macaques were used to determine the dynamics of cytokine secretion from mucosal NKp44(+) NK cells in different phases of SIV infection. As a result, the degranulation capacity and IL-22 production of mucosal NKp44(+) NK cells were associated with the MT level in the SHIV-infected macaques. And the number of mucosal NKp44(+) NK cells and IL-22 secretion by these cells were lower in the chronic phase than in the early acute phase of SIV infection. The number of mucosal NKp44(+) NK cells and interleukin-22 (IL-22) secretion by these cells increased before MT occurred. Therefore, we conclude that a decline in IL-22 production from mucosal NKp44(+) NK cells induced by virus infection may be one of the causes of microbial translocation in HIV/SIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Comparative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Animal Models, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medical Center, Peking Union Medical College, No. 5 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Fangxin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Comparative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Animal Models, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medical Center, Peking Union Medical College, No. 5 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Zhe Cong
- Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Comparative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Animal Models, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medical Center, Peking Union Medical College, No. 5 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Kejian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Comparative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Animal Models, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medical Center, Peking Union Medical College, No. 5 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Chuan Qin
- Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Comparative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Animal Models, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medical Center, Peking Union Medical College, No. 5 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Qiang Wei
- Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Comparative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Key Laboratory of Human Diseases Animal Models, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Comparative Medical Center, Peking Union Medical College, No. 5 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100021, China
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Su B, Moog C. Which Antibody Functions are Important for an HIV Vaccine? Front Immunol 2014; 5:289. [PMID: 24995008 PMCID: PMC4062070 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV antibody (Ab) functions capable of preventing mucosal cell-free or cell-to-cell HIV transmission are critical for the development of effective prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines. In addition to CD4(+) T cells, other potential HIV-target cell types including antigen-presenting cells (APCs) (dendritic cells, macrophages) residing at mucosal sites are infected. Moreover, the interactions between APCs and HIV lead to HIV cell-to-cell transmission. Recently discovered broadly neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) are able to neutralize a broad spectrum of HIV strains, inhibit cell-to-cell transfer, and efficiently protect from infection in the experimentally challenged macaque model. However, the 31% protection observed in the RV144 vaccine trial in the absence of detectable NAbs in blood samples pointed to the possible role of additional Ab inhibitory functions. Increasing evidence suggests that IgG Fcγ receptor (FcγR)-mediated inhibition of Abs present at the mucosal site may play a role in protection against HIV mucosal transmission. Moreover, mucosal IgA Abs may be determinant in protection against HIV sexual transmission. Therefore, defining Ab inhibitory functions that could lead to protection is critical for further HIV vaccine design. Here, we review different inhibitory properties of HIV-specific Abs and discuss their potential role in protection against HIV sexual transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Su
- INSERM U1109, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg , Strasbourg , France
| | - Christiane Moog
- INSERM U1109, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg , Strasbourg , France
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Abdel-Hakeem MS, Shoukry NH. Protective immunity against hepatitis C: many shades of gray. Front Immunol 2014; 5:274. [PMID: 24982656 PMCID: PMC4058636 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of individuals who become acutely infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) develop chronic infection and suffer from progressive liver damage while approximately 25% are able to eliminate the virus spontaneously. Despite the recent introduction of new direct-acting antivirals, there is still no vaccine for HCV. As a result, new infections and reinfections will remain a problem in developing countries and among high risk populations like injection drug users who have limited access to treatment and who continue to be exposed to the virus. The outcome of acute HCV is determined by the interplay between the host genetics, the virus, and the virus-specific immune response. Studies in humans and chimpanzees have demonstrated the essential role of HCV-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell responses in protection against viral persistence. Recent data suggest that antibody responses play a more important role than what was previously thought. Individuals who spontaneously resolve acute HCV infection develop long-lived memory T cells and are less likely to become persistently infected upon reexposure. New studies examining high risk cohorts are identifying correlates of protection during real life exposures and reinfections. In this review, we discuss correlates of protective immunity during acute HCV and upon reexposure. We draw parallels between HCV and the current knowledge about protective memory in other models of chronic viral infections. Finally, we discuss some of the yet unresolved questions about key correlates of protection and their relevance for vaccine development against HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed S Abdel-Hakeem
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) , Montréal, QC , Canada ; Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal , Montréal, QC , Canada ; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University , Cairo , Egypt
| | - Naglaa H Shoukry
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) , Montréal, QC , Canada ; Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal , Montréal, QC , Canada
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10
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Baseline natural killer and T cell populations correlation with virologic outcome after regimen simplification to atazanavir/ritonavir alone (ACTG 5201). PLoS One 2014; 9:e95524. [PMID: 24802242 PMCID: PMC4011688 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Simplified maintenance therapy with ritonavir-boosted atazanavir (ATV/r) provides an alternative treatment option for HIV-1 infection that spares nucleoside analogs (NRTI) for future use and decreased toxicity. We hypothesized that the level of immune activation (IA) and recovery of lymphocyte populations could influence virologic outcomes after regimen simplification. Methods Thirty-four participants with virologic suppression ≥48 weeks on antiretroviral therapy (2 NRTI plus protease inhibitor) were switched to ATV/r alone in the context of the ACTG 5201 clinical trial. Flow cytometric analyses were performed on PBMC isolated from 25 patients with available samples, of which 24 had lymphocyte recovery sufficient for this study. Assessments included enumeration of T-cells (CD4/CD8), natural killer (NK) (CD3+CD56+CD16+) cells and cell-associated markers (HLA-DR, CD's 38/69/94/95/158/279). Results Eight of the 24 patients had at least one plasma HIV-1 RNA level (VL) >50 copies/mL during the study. NK cell levels below the group median of 7.1% at study entry were associated with development of VL >50 copies/mL following simplification by regression and survival analyses (p = 0.043 and 0.023), with an odds ratio of 10.3 (95% CI: 1.92–55.3). Simplification was associated with transient increases in naïve and CD25+ CD4+ T-cells, and had no impact on IA levels. Conclusions Lower NK cell levels prior to regimen simplification were predictive of virologic rebound after discontinuation of nucleoside analogs. Regimen simplification did not have a sustained impact on markers of IA or T lymphocyte populations in 48 weeks of clinical monitoring. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00084019
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Identification of a cluster of HIV-1 controllers infected with low replicating viruses. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77663. [PMID: 24204910 PMCID: PMC3813686 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Long term non-progressor patients (LTNPs) are characterized by the natural control of HIV-1 infection. This control is related to host genetic, immunological and virological factors. In this work, phylogenetic analysis of the proviral nucleotide sequences in env gene from a Spanish HIV-1 LTNPs cohort identified a cluster of 6 HIV-1 controllers infected with closely-related viruses. The patients of the cluster showed common clinical and epidemiological features: drug user practices, infection in the same city (Madrid, Spain) and at the same time (late 70's-early 80's). All cluster patients displayed distinct host alleles associated with HIV control. Analysis of the virus envelope nucleotide sequences showed ancestral characteristic, lack of evolution and presence of rare amino-acids. Biological characterization of recombinant viruses with the envelope proteins from the cluster viruses showed very low replicative capacity in TZMbl and U87-CD4/CCR5 cells. The lack of clinical progression in the viral cluster patients with distinct combinations of protective host genotypes, but infected by low replicating viruses, indicate the important role of the virus in the non-progressor phenotype in these patients.
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12
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Comparative efficiency of HIV-1-infected T cell killing by NK cells, monocytes and neutrophils. PLoS One 2013; 8:e74858. [PMID: 24040353 PMCID: PMC3769266 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 08/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 infected cells are eliminated in infected individuals by a variety of cellular mechanisms, the best characterized of which are cytotoxic T cell and NK cell-mediated killing. An additional antiviral mechanism is antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Here we use primary CD4(+) T cells infected with the BaL clone of HIV-1 as target cells and autologous NK cells, monocytes, and neutrophils as effector cells, to quantify the cytotoxicity mediated by the different effectors. This was carried out in the presence or absence of HIV-1-specific antiserum to assess antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. We show that at the same effector to target ratio, NK cells and monocytes mediate similar levels of both antibody-dependent and antibody-independent killing of HIV-1-infected T cells. Neutrophils mediated significant antibody-dependent killing of targets, but were less effective than monocytes or NK cells. These data have implications for acquisition and control of HIV-1 in natural infection and in the context of vaccination.
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Sanou MP, De Groot AS, Murphey-Corb M, Levy JA, Yamamoto JK. HIV-1 Vaccine Trials: Evolving Concepts and Designs. Open AIDS J 2012; 6:274-88. [PMID: 23289052 PMCID: PMC3534440 DOI: 10.2174/1874613601206010274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2012] [Revised: 09/18/2012] [Accepted: 09/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
An effective prophylactic HIV-1 vaccine is needed to eradicate the HIV/AIDS pandemic but designing such a vaccine is a challenge. Despite many advances in vaccine technology and approaches to generate both humoral and cellular immune responses, major phase-II and -III vaccine trials against HIV/AIDS have resulted in only moderate successes. The modest achievement of the phase-III RV144 prime-boost trial in Thailand re-emphasized the importance of generating robust humoral and cellular responses against HIV. While antibody-directed approaches are being pursued by some groups, others are attempting to develop vaccines targeting cell-mediated immunity, since evidence show CTLs to be important for the control of HIV replication. Phase-I and -IIa multi-epitope vaccine trials have already been conducted with vaccine immunogens consisting of known CTL epitopes conserved across HIV subtypes, but have so far fallen short of inducing robust and consistent anti-HIV CTL responses. The concepts leading to the development of T-cell epitope-based vaccines, the outcomes of related clinical vaccine trials and efforts to enhance the immunogenicity of cell-mediated approaches are summarized in this review. Moreover, we describe a novel approach based on the identification of SIV and FIV antigens which contain conserved HIV-specific T-cell epitopes and represent an alternative method for developing an effective HIV vaccine against global HIV isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Missa P Sanou
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110880, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Anne S De Groot
- EpiVax Inc., University of Rhode Island, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Michael Murphey-Corb
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh, E1252 Biomedical Science Tower 200, Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Jay A Levy
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, S-1280, 513 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Janet K Yamamoto
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110880, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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14
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Xu H, Wang X, Liu DX, Moroney-Rasmussen T, Lackner AA, Veazey RS. IL-17-producing innate lymphoid cells are restricted to mucosal tissues and are depleted in SIV-infected macaques. Mucosal Immunol 2012; 5:658-69. [PMID: 22669579 PMCID: PMC3702374 DOI: 10.1038/mi.2012.39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are an emerging subset of lymphocytes involved in surveillance against virally infected cells. Here, we show CD3(-)CD8(high) lymphocytes in macaque blood include major subsets of ILCs including natural killer (NK) cells expressing CD16, NKp46, and NKG2A, but also populations of ILCs in mucosal tissues having different properties. One ILC subset secreted interleukin (IL)-17 (ILC17), but these were restricted to mucosal tissues. Some mucosal ILC17 cells expressed classical NK-cell markers, but little NKG2A or NKG2D. Some ILC17 cells secreted IL-22 and tumor necrosis factor-α, but few produced interferon (IFN)-γ or contained granzyme B. IL-17 production by ILCs was induced by IL-6, transforming growth factor-β, and IL-23. Further, simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection resulted in a significant loss of ILC17 cells, especially in the jejunum, which persisted throughout SIV infection. These findings indicate that ILC17 cells may be involved in innate mucosal immune responses, and their loss may contribute to loss of intestinal mucosal integrity and disease progression in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/SIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanbin Xu
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine 18703 Three Rivers Road Covington, LA 70433
| | - Xiaolei Wang
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine 18703 Three Rivers Road Covington, LA 70433
| | - David X. Liu
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine 18703 Three Rivers Road Covington, LA 70433
| | - Terri Moroney-Rasmussen
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine 18703 Three Rivers Road Covington, LA 70433
| | - Andrew A. Lackner
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine 18703 Three Rivers Road Covington, LA 70433
| | - Ronald S. Veazey
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine 18703 Three Rivers Road Covington, LA 70433
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15
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Kramski M, Schorcht A, Johnston APR, Lichtfuss GF, Jegaskanda S, De Rose R, Stratov I, Kelleher AD, French MA, Center RJ, Jaworowski A, Kent SJ. Role of monocytes in mediating HIV-specific antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. J Immunol Methods 2012; 384:51-61. [PMID: 22841577 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2012.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2012] [Revised: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 07/17/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Antibodies (Abs) that mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity against HIV-1 are of major interest. A widely used method to measure ADCC Abs is the rapid and fluorometric antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (RFADCC) assay. Antibody-dependent killing of a labelled target cell line by PBMC is assessed by loss of intracellular CFSE but retention of membrane dye PKH26 (CFSE-PKH26+). Cells of this phenotype are assumed to be derived from CFSE+PKH26+ target cells killed by NK cells. We assessed the effector cells that mediate ADCC in this assay. Backgating analysis and phenotyping of CFSE-PKH26+ revealed that the RFADCC assay's readout mainly represents CD3-CD14+ monocytes taking up the PKH26 dye. This was confirmed for 53 HIV+plasma-purified IgG samples when co-cultured with PBMC from three separate healthy donors. Emergence of the CFSE-PKH26+ monocyte population was observed upon co-culture of targets with purified monocytes but not with purified NK cells. Image flow cytometry and microscopy showed a monocyte-specific interaction with target cells without typical morphological changes associated with phagocytosis, suggesting a monocyte-mediated ADCC process. We conclude that the RFADCC assay primarily reflects Ab-mediated monocyte function. Further studies on the immunological importance of HIV-specific monocyte-mediated ADCC are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kramski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Australia.
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16
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A nonfucosylated variant of the anti-HIV-1 monoclonal antibody b12 has enhanced FcγRIIIa-mediated antiviral activity in vitro but does not improve protection against mucosal SHIV challenge in macaques. J Virol 2012; 86:6189-96. [PMID: 22457527 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00491-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Eliciting neutralizing antibodies is thought to be a key activity of a vaccine against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, a number of studies have suggested that in addition to neutralization, interaction of IgG with Fc gamma receptors (FcγR) may play an important role in antibody-mediated protection. We have previously obtained evidence that the protective activity of the broadly neutralizing human IgG1 anti-HIV monoclonal antibody (MAb) b12 in macaques is diminished in the absence of FcγR binding capacity. To investigate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) as a contributor to FcγR-associated protection, we developed a nonfucosylated variant of b12 (NFb12). We showed that, compared to fully fucosylated (referred to as wild-type in the text) b12, NFb12 had higher affinity for human and rhesus macaque FcγRIIIa and was more efficient in inhibiting viral replication and more effective in killing HIV-infected cells in an ADCC assay. Despite these more potent in vitro antiviral activities, NFb12 did not enhance protection in vivo against repeated low-dose vaginal challenge in the simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)/macaque model compared to wild-type b12. No difference in protection, viral load, or infection susceptibility was observed between animals given NFb12 and those given fully fucosylated b12, indicating that FcγR-mediated activities distinct from FcγRIIIa-mediated ADCC may be important in the observed protection against SHIV challenge.
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17
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Xia Z, Liu Q, Berger CT, Keenan BT, Kaliszewska A, Cheney PC, Srivastava GP, Castillo IW, De Jager PL, Alter G. A 17q12 allele is associated with altered NK cell subsets and function. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 188:3315-22. [PMID: 22345646 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1102775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
NK cells play an important role in innate immunity. A previous genome-wide association study demonstrated an association between a 17q12 allele (rs9916629(C)) and lower frequency of CD3(-)CD56(+) NK cells in peripheral blood. We performed an analysis that not only replicates the original result of the genome-wide association study (p = 0.036) but also defines the specific cell subpopulations and functions that are modulated by the rs9916629 polymorphism in a cohort of 96 healthy adult subjects using targeted multiparameter flow cytometric profiling of NK cell phenotypes and functions. We found that rs9916629(C) is associated with alterations in specific NK cell subsets, including lower frequency of predominantly cytotoxic CD56(dim) NK cells (p = 0.011), higher frequency of predominantly regulatory CD56(bright) NK cells (p = 0.019), and a higher proportion of NK cells expressing the inhibitory NKG2A receptor (p = 0.0002). Functionally, rs9916629(C) is associated with decreased secretion of macrophage inflammatory protein-1β by NK cells in the context of Ab-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (p = 0.039) and increased degranulation in response to MHC class I-deficient B cells (p = 0.017). Transcriptional profiling of NK cells suggests that rs9916629 influences the expression of transcription factors such as TBX21, which has a role in NK cell differentiation, offering a possible mechanism for the phenotypic and functional differences between the different alleles. The rs9916629(C) allele therefore has a validated effect on the proportion of NK cells in peripheral blood and skews NK cells toward a specific phenotypic and functional profile, potentially influencing the impact that these innate immune cells have on infection and autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongqi Xia
- Program in Translational NeuroPsychiatric Genomics, Institute for the Neurosciences, Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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18
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Abstract
The human gut mucosa is a major site of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and infection-associated pathogenesis. Increasing evidence shows that natural killer (NK) cells have an important role in control of HIV infection, but the mechanism(s) by which they mediate antiviral activity in the gut is unclear. Here, we show that two distinct subsets of NK cells exist in the gut, one localized to intraepithelial spaces (intraepithelial lymphocytes, IELs) and the other to the lamina propria (LP). The frequency of both subsets of NK cells was reduced in chronic infection, whereas IEL NK cells remained stable in spontaneous controllers with protective killer immunoglobulin-like receptor/human leukocyte antigen genotypes. Both IEL and LP NK cells were significantly expanded in immunological non-responsive patients, who incompletely recovered CD4+ T cells on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). These data suggest that both IEL and LP NK cells may expand in the gut in an effort to compensate for compromised CD4+ T-cell recovery, but that only IEL NK cells may be involved in providing durable control of HIV in the gut.
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Hogg A, Huante M, Ongaya A, Williams J, Ferguson M, Cloyd M, Amukoye E, Endsley J. Activation of NK cell granulysin by mycobacteria and IL-15 is differentially affected by HIV. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2011; 91 Suppl 1:S75-81. [PMID: 22099421 DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2011.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
NK cells play an important role in innate immunity to mycobacteria and are a significant source of the bactericidal effector molecule granulysin. Defects in NK cells have been described in HIV-infected patients, though mechanistic studies have focused on effector molecules relevant to anti-viral, and not anti-bacterial, function. Here we used primary NK cells from healthy human donors and an in vitro system to identify the phenotype of granulysin expressing NK cells, characterize activation stimuli that regulate granulysin, and to study the immediate effects of HIV on innate activation of NK cell granulysin expression. We observe that granulysin expression is co-associated with cytotoxicity receptors (NKp46, NKG2D) known to have important function in the cytotoxic response to M.tb-infected macrophages. Granulysin expression is significantly increased following exposure to IL-15 or Mycobacterium bovis BCG, but in contrast to our previous findings with CD8(+)T cells, expression is weakly activated by IL-21. Infection of PBMC with HIV-1 suppresses NK cell induction of granulysin by IL-15, but does not impair activation by BCG. These effects of HIV-1 are associated with reduced STAT5 phosphorylation in the IL-15 activated signaling cascade. These observations suggest that HIV may impair the anti-bacterial function of NK cells and have implications for clinical use of IL-15 to augment innate cell mediated immunity in HIV+ patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Hogg
- National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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20
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Sobieszczyk ME, Lingappa JR, McElrath MJ. Host genetic polymorphisms associated with innate immune factors and HIV-1. Curr Opin HIV AIDS 2011; 6:427-34. [PMID: 21734565 DOI: 10.1097/coh.0b013e3283497155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Our understanding of the early events in HIV-1 infection continues to grow, along with the heightened recognition of the important contribution that innate immunity plays in response to HIV-1. Here, we review the epidemiological and functional studies of genetic polymorphisms associated with innate immune factors that are believed to modulate host responses, focusing specifically on recent findings related to Toll-like receptor, cytokine, host restriction and KIR genes and their activities. RECENT FINDINGS A growing number of genomic studies have described polymorphisms in innate immune genes that are associated with early postseroconversion events, including TLR4, TLR9, IRF-3, TRIM5α and the ABOBEC3 gene family. Genetic and functional data confirm the importance of KIR-HLA interactions and provide new understanding of the role of innate restriction factors in resistance to HIV-1 and disease progression. SUMMARY Single-gene, genome-wide association and expression studies have permitted the identification of innate immune genes and their variants that contribute to protection from disease progression. Characterization of the pathogen-innate immune system interactions and discovery of new and rare host genetic variants that account for a portion of the observed variance in the HIV-1 phenotype is critical to gain new insights into promising treatment and prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena E Sobieszczyk
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
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21
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Thèze J, Chakrabarti LA, Vingert B, Porichis F, Kaufmann DE. HIV controllers: a multifactorial phenotype of spontaneous viral suppression. Clin Immunol 2011; 141:15-30. [PMID: 21865089 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2011.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2011] [Revised: 07/23/2011] [Accepted: 07/26/2011] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
A small minority of HIV-infected individuals, known as HIV controllers, is able to exert long-term control over HIV replication in the absence of treatment. Increasing evidence suggests that the adaptive immune system plays a critical role in this control but also that a combination of several host and/or viral factors, rather than a single cause, leads to this rare phenotype. Here, we review recent advances in the study of these remarkable individuals. We summarize the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of HIV controllers, and subsequently describe contributing roles of host genetic factors, innate and adaptive immune responses, and viral factors to this phenotype. We emphasize distinctive characteristics of HIV-specific CD4 T cell responses and of CD4 T cell subpopulations that are frequently found in HIV controllers. We discuss major controversies in the field and the relevance of the study of HIV controllers for the development of novel therapeutic strategies and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Thèze
- Unité d'Immunogénétique Cellulaire, Institut Pasteur, 75015, Paris, France.
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