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Hokello J, Tyagi P, Dimri S, Sharma AL, Tyagi M. Comparison of the Biological Basis for Non-HIV Transmission to HIV-Exposed Seronegative Individuals, Disease Non-Progression in HIV Long-Term Non-Progressors and Elite Controllers. Viruses 2023; 15:1362. [PMID: 37376660 DOI: 10.3390/v15061362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV-exposed seronegative individuals (HESIs) are a small fraction of persons who are multiply exposed to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but do not exhibit serological or clinical evidence of HIV infection. In other words, they are groups of people maintaining an uninfected status for a long time, even after being exposed to HIV several times. The long-term non-progressors (LTNPs), on the other hand, are a group of HIV-infected individuals (approx. 5%) who remain clinically and immunologically stable for an extended number of years without combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Meanwhile, elite controllers are comprise a much lower number (0.5%) of HIV-infected persons who spontaneously and durably control viremia to below levels of detection for at least 12 months, even when using the most sensitive assays, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the absence of cART. Despite the fact that there is no universal agreement regarding the mechanisms by which these groups of individuals are able to control HIV infection and/or disease progression, there is a general consensus that the mechanisms of protection are multifaceted and include genetic, immunological as well as viral factors. In this review, we analyze and compare the biological factors responsible for the control of HIV in these unique groups of individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Hokello
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Education, Busitema University, Tororo P.O. Box 236, Uganda
| | - Priya Tyagi
- Cherry Hill East High School, 1750 Kresson Rd, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003, USA
| | - Shelly Dimri
- George C. Marshall High School, Fairfax County Public Schools, 7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043, USA
| | | | - Mudit Tyagi
- Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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Seronegative MSM at high risk of HIV-1 acquisition show an immune quiescent profile with a normal immune response against common antigens. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277120. [PMID: 36480500 PMCID: PMC9731495 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection still represents a major public health problem worldwide, and its vaccine remains elusive. The study of HIV-exposed seronegative individuals (HESN) brings important information about the natural resistance to HIV, allows a better understanding of the infection, and opens doors for new preventive and therapeutic strategies. Among HESN groups, there are some men who have sex with men (MSM) with high-risk sexual behaviors, who represent an adequate cohort for HESN study because of their major HIV exposure without infection. This study aimed to compare the immunological profile of Colombian seronegative MSM with different risk sexual behaviors. This study included 60 MSM at high-risk (n = 16) and low-risk (n = 44) of HIV-1 acquisition. No sex worker nor homozygous delta 32 mutation subjects were included. All participants were negative for anti-HIV-1/2 antibodies and HIV-1 proviral DNA. A higher frequency of sexual partners in the last 3 months before the study participation (median, 30 vs. 2), lifetime sexual partners (median, 1,708 vs. 26), and unprotected anal intercourse (median 12.5 vs. 2) was determined in high-risk MSM than low-risk MSM. High-risk MSM also showed a quiescent profile of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, with a significantly lower percentage of CD4+CD38+, CD4+HLADR-CD38+, CD4+Ki67+ T cells, and NKG2D+ NK cells (CD3-CD16+CD56+), a significantly higher percentage of CD4+HLADR-CD38-, and a tendency to show a higher percentage of CD8+HLADR+CD38- T cells than the low-risk group. Likewise, they showed higher mRNA levels of Serpin A1 from PBMCs. The results suggest that this MSM cohort could be HESN individuals and their resistance would be explained by a quiescent profile of T cells and NK cells and an increased Serpin A1 expression. Further study on MSM at high risk of exposure to HIV-1 is necessary to better understand the natural resistance to HIV.
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Li J, Gao C, Huang S, Jin L, Jin C. SAMHD1 expression is associated with low immune activation but not correlated with HIV‑1 DNA levels in CD4+ T cells of patients with HIV‑1. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:879-885. [PMID: 32468062 PMCID: PMC7339818 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sterile α motif and histidine/aspartic acid domain‑containing protein 1 (SAMHD1) can inhibit reverse transcription of human immunodeficiency virus‑1 (HIV‑1) by hydrolyzing intracellular deoxy‑ribonucleoside triphosphate. However, its role in HIV‑1 disease progression has not been extensively studied. To study the impacts of SAMHD1 on HIV‑1 disease progression, especially on DNA levels, we investigated SAMHD1 levels in the peripheral blood of HIV‑1 elite controllers (ECs), antiretroviral therapy (ART) naive viremic progressors (VPs) and patients with HIV‑1 receiving ART (HIV‑ARTs) compared with healthy controls. In addition, the present study analyzed the relationship between SAMHD1 and interferon‑α, immune activation and HIV‑1 DNA levels. The results of the present study demonstrated elevated SAMHD1 expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of all patients withHIV‑1, but higher SAMHD1 expression in the CD4+ T cells of only ECs compared with healthy controls. Immune activation was increased in the VPs and decreased in the ECs compared with healthy controls. Substantially lower HIV‑1 DNA levels were identified in ECs compared with those in VPs and HIV‑ARTs. SAMHD1 expression was associated with low levels of immune activation. No significant correlation was observed between SAMHD1 and HIV‑1 DNA levels. Overall, the findings of the present study indicated that SAMHD1 was highly expressed in ECs, which may be associated with low immune activation levels, but was not directly related to HIV‑1 DNA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, P.R. China
| | - Chuanhua Gao
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biomaterials, Department of Materials, College of Chemical and Material Engineering, Quzhou University, Quzhou, Zhejiang 324000, P.R. China
| | - Shanshan Huang
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, P.R. China
| | - Longteng Jin
- Department of Childhood Infectious Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, P.R. China
| | - Changzhong Jin
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
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Ahmed A, Siman-Tov G, Hall G, Bhalla N, Narayanan A. Human Antimicrobial Peptides as Therapeutics for Viral Infections. Viruses 2019; 11:v11080704. [PMID: 31374901 PMCID: PMC6722670 DOI: 10.3390/v11080704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful in vivo infection following pathogen entry requires the evasion and subversion of multiple immunological barriers. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are one of the first immune pathways upregulated during infection by multiple pathogens, in multiple organs in vivo. In humans, there are many classes of AMPs exhibiting broad antimicrobial activities, with defensins and the human cathelicidin LL-37 being the best studied examples. Whereas historically the efficacy and therapeutic potential of AMPs against bacterial infection has been the primary focus of research, recent studies have begun to elucidate the antiviral properties of AMPs as well as their role in regulation of inflammation and chemoattraction. AMPs as therapeutic tools seem especially promising against emerging infectious viral pathogens for which no approved vaccines or treatments are currently available, such as dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV). In this review, we summarize recent studies elucidating the efficacy and diverse mechanisms of action of various classes of AMPs against multiple viral pathogens, as well as the potential use of human AMPs in novel antiviral therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aslaa Ahmed
- National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Disease, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Gavriella Siman-Tov
- National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Disease, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Grant Hall
- United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA
| | - Nishank Bhalla
- National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Disease, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Aarthi Narayanan
- National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Disease, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA.
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Taborda NA, Correa LA, Feria MG, Rugeles MT. The Spontaneous Control of HIV Replication is Characterized by Decreased Pathological Changes in the Gut-associated Lymphoid Tissue. Curr HIV Res 2019; 16:338-344. [PMID: 30706820 PMCID: PMC6446516 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x17666190130115113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV infection induces alterations in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) that constitutes the most important site for viral replication due to the extensive presence of effector memory T-cells. In the case of HIV-controllers, several studies have reported fewer peripheral alterations and conserved immune responses that correlate with viral control; however, the histopathological characterization of GALT in those patients is still missing. In this study, we evaluated pathological alterations in GALT, trying to associate them with clinical parameters of HIV infected patients with or without evidence of viral control. METHODS This study included eight HIV-controllers (antiretroviral treatment-naïve patients, with viral loads below 2.000 copies/mL for at least 1 year); 14 Noncontrollers (antiretroviral treatmentnaïve patients, with viral loads > 2.000 copies/mL and CD4+ T cells count > 250 cells/μL), and 12 uninfected donors. Biopsy fragments were obtained by rectosigmoidoscopy and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, silver methenamine, Ziehl Neelsen, and modified Ziehl Neelsen. RESULTS Histopathological findings in HIV-controllers were similar to those observed in the uninfected group. In contrast, noncontrollers exhibited several alterations including condyloma acuminate, squamous metaplasia and acute colitis. These alterations were associated with disease progression. CONCLUSION HIV-controllers exhibit lower pathological alterations in the gut tissue, associated with higher CD4 T cell count, and lower viral load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia A Taborda
- Grupo Inmunovirologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin, Colombia.,Grupo de Investigaciones Biomedicas Uniremington, Programa de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Corporacion Universitaria Remington, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Luis A Correa
- Seccion de Dermatologia, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin, Colombia.,Laboratorio de Patología, Laboratorio Clínico VID, Obra de la Congregación Mariana, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Manuel Geronimo Feria
- Grupo Inmunovirologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin, Colombia
| | - María T Rugeles
- Grupo Inmunovirologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin, Colombia
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Aguilar-Jimenez W, Zapata W, Rivero-Juárez A, Pineda JA, Laplana M, Taborda NA, Biasin M, Clerici M, Caruz A, Fibla J, Rugeles MT. Genetic associations of the vitamin D and antiviral pathways with natural resistance to HIV-1 infection are influenced by interpopulation variability. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2019; 73:276-286. [PMID: 31103723 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin D (VitD) may modulate anti-HIV-1 responses modifying the risk to acquire the HIV-1-infection. We performed a nested case-control exploratory study involving 413 individuals; HIV-1-exposed seropositives (cases) and seronegatives (HESN) (controls) from three cohorts: sexually-exposed from Colombia and Italy and parenterally-exposed from Spain. The association and interactions of 139 variants in 9 VitD pathway genes, and in 14 antiviral genes with resistance/susceptibility (R/S) to HIV-1 infection was evaluated. Associations between variants and mRNA levels were also analyzed in the Colombian samples. Variants and haplotypes in genes of VitD and antiviral pathways were associated with R/S, but specific associations were not reproduced in all cohorts. Allelic heterogeneity could explain such inconsistency since the associations found in all cohorts were consistently in the same genes: VDR and RXRA of the VitD pathway genes and in TLR2 and RNASE4. Remarkably, the multi-locus genotypes (interacting variants) observed in genes of VitD and antiviral pathways were present in most HESNs of all cohorts. Finally, HESNs carrying resistance-associated variants had higher levels of VitD in plasma, of VDR mRNA in blood cells, and of ELAFIN and defensins mRNA in the oral mucosa. In conclusion, despite allelic heterogeneity, most likely due to differences in the genetic history of the populations, the associations were locus dependent suggesting that genes of the VitD pathway might act in concert with antiviral genes modulating the resistance phenotype of the HESNs. Although these associations were significant after permutation test, only haplotype results remained statistically significant after Bonferroni test, requiring further replications in larger cohorts and functional analyzes to validate these conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wbeimar Aguilar-Jimenez
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, 050010 Medellín, Colombia.
| | - Wildeman Zapata
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, 050010 Medellín, Colombia; Grupo Infettare, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, 050012 Medellín, Colombia
| | - Antonio Rivero-Juárez
- Unidad Clínica de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimonides para la Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Juan A Pineda
- Unidad Clínica de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología, Hospital Universitario de Valme, 41014 Seville, Spain
| | - Marina Laplana
- Unitat de Genètica Humana, Departament de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques, IRBLleida, Universitat de Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Natalia A Taborda
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, 050010 Medellín, Colombia; Grupo de Investigaciones Biomédicas UniRemington, Facultad de Medicina, Corporación Universitaria Remington, 050010 Medellín, Colombia
| | - Mara Biasin
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche-L. Sacco, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milan, Italy.
| | - Mario Clerici
- Dipartimento di Fisiopatologia Medico-Chirurgica e dei Trapianti, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20100 Milan, Italy; Fondazione Don C, Gnocchi IRCCS, 20100 Milan, Italy.
| | - Antonio Caruz
- Unidad de Inmunogenética, Departamento de Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain.
| | - Joan Fibla
- Unitat de Genètica Humana, Departament de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques, IRBLleida, Universitat de Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain.
| | - María T Rugeles
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, 050010 Medellín, Colombia.
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Gonzalez SM, Aguilar-Jimenez W, Su RC, Rugeles MT. Mucosa: Key Interactions Determining Sexual Transmission of the HIV Infection. Front Immunol 2019; 10:144. [PMID: 30787929 PMCID: PMC6373783 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In the context of HIV sexual transmission at the genital mucosa, initial interactions between the virus and the mucosal immunity determine the outcome of the exposure. Hence, these interactions have been deeply explored in attempts to undercover potential targets for developing preventative strategies. The knowledge gained has led to propose a hypothetical model for mucosal HIV transmission. Subsequent research studies on this topic further revealed new mechanisms and identified new host-HIV interactions. This review aims at integrating these findings to inform better and update the current model of HIV transmission. At the earliest stage of virus exposure, the epithelial integrity and the presence of antiviral factors are critical in preventing viral entry to the submucosa. However, the virus has been shown to enter to the submucosa in the presence of physical abrasion or via epithelial transmigration using paracellular passage or transcytosis mechanisms. The efficiency of these processes is greater with cell-associated viral inoculums and can be influenced by the presence of viral and immune factors, and by the structure of the exposed epithelium. Once the virus reaches the submucosa, dendritic cells and fibroblasts, as recently described, have been shown in vitro of being capable of facilitating the transfer of viral particles to susceptible cells, leading to viral dissemination, most likely in a trans-infection manner. The presence of activated CD4+ T cells in submucosa increases the probability of infection, where the predominant microbiota could be implicated through the modulation of an inflammatory microenvironment. Other factors such as genital fluids and hormones could also play an essential role in HIV transmission. Here, we review the most recent evidence described for mucosal HIV-transmission contributing with the understanding of this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra M Gonzalez
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.,National HIV and Retrovirology Laboratory, JC Wilt Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | - Ruey-Chyi Su
- National HIV and Retrovirology Laboratory, JC Wilt Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Maria T Rugeles
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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Bosinger SE, Tharp GK, Patel NB, Zhao C, Payne TL, Dietz Ostergaard S, Butler K, Ellis S, Johnson RL, Kersh EN, McNicholl JM, Vishwanathan SA. Progestin-based contraception regimens modulate expression of putative HIV risk factors in the vaginal epithelium of pig-tailed Macaques. Am J Reprod Immunol 2018; 80:e13029. [PMID: 30076667 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM In women, the use of progestin-based contraception may increase the risk of vaginal HIV acquisition. We previously showed in macaques that there is a significantly higher simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) acquisition rate in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, which presents a naturally high-progesterone state, and this may be attributable to altered expression of innate immune factors. We hypothesized that progestin-based contraception, especially depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), would, in a similar way, affect mucosal immune factors that influence HIV acquisition risk. METHOD OF STUDY We used a pig-tailed macaque model to evaluate the effects of two progestin-based contraceptives, DMPA, and levonorgestrel (LNG)/ethinyl estradiol (EE)-based combined oral contraceptives (COCs), on innate mucosal factors. We compared the vaginal epithelial thickness data from previous studies and used cytokine profiling and microarray analysis to evaluate contraception-induced molecular changes in the vagina. RESULTS The administration of DMPA caused a reduction in the thickness of the vaginal epithelium relative to that of the follicular or luteal phase. DMPA also induced a significant increase in vaginal levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Both DMPA- and LNG-based contraception induced a signature of gene expression similar to that of the luteal phase, only more exacerbated, including widespread downregulation of antiviral genes. CONCLUSION The use of progestin-based contraception might engender a milieu that poses an increased risk of HIV acquisition as compared to both the luteal and follicular phases of the menstrual cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven E Bosinger
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Gregory K Tharp
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Nirav B Patel
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | | | | | - Katherine Butler
- Office of the Associate Director for Laboratory Science and Safety, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | | | - Ellen N Kersh
- Division of Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia
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Gonzalez SM, Taborda NA, Correa LA, Castro GA, Hernandez JC, Montoya CJ, Rugeles MT. Particular activation phenotype of T cells expressing HLA-DR but not CD38 in GALT from HIV-controllers is associated with immune regulation and delayed progression to AIDS. Immunol Res 2017; 64:765-74. [PMID: 26724942 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-015-8775-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The spontaneous control of HIV replication in HIV-controllers underlines the importance of these subjects for exploring factors related to delayed progression. Several studies have revealed fewer immune alterations and effector mechanisms related to viral control, mainly in peripheral blood, in these individuals compared to normal progressors. However, immune characterization of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), the major target of infection, has not been thoroughly explored in these subjects. We evaluated the following parameters in GALT samples from 11 HIV-controllers and 15 HIV-progressors: (i) frequency and activation phenotype of T cells; (ii) expression of transcription factors associated with immune response profiles; and (iii) frequency of apoptotic cells. Interestingly, HIV-controllers exhibited a particular activation phenotype, with predominance of T cells expressing HLA-DR but not CD38 in GALT. This phenotype, previously associated with better control of infection, was correlated with low viral load and higher CD4(+) T cell count. Furthermore, a positive correlation of this activation phenotype with higher expression of Foxp3 and RORγT transcription factors suggested a key role for Treg and Th17 cells in the control of the immune activation and in the maintenance of gut mucosal integrity. Although we evaluated apoptosis by measuring expression of cleaved caspase-3 in GALT, we did not find differences between HIV-controllers and HIV-progressors. Taken together, our findings suggest that predominance of HLA-DR(+) T cells, along with lower immune activation and higher expression of transcription factors required for the development of Treg and Th17 cells, is associated with better viral control and delayed progression to AIDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra M Gonzalez
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Natalia A Taborda
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
- Grupo de Investigación en Salud Familiar y Comunitaria (GISAFACO), Programa de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Corporación Universitaria Remington, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Luis A Correa
- Sección de Dermatología, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
- Laboratorio de Patología, Laboratorio Clínico VID, Obra de la Congregación Mariana, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Gustavo A Castro
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan C Hernandez
- Grupo Infettare, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Carlos J Montoya
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Maria T Rugeles
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia.
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10
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Gonzalez SM, Taborda NA, Rugeles MT. Role of Different Subpopulations of CD8 + T Cells during HIV Exposure and Infection. Front Immunol 2017; 8:936. [PMID: 28824656 PMCID: PMC5545716 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
During HIV infection, specific responses exhibited by CD8+ T cells are crucial to establish an early, effective, and sustained viral control, preventing severe immune alterations and organ dysfunction. Several CD8+ T cells subsets have been identified, exhibiting differences in terms of activation, functional profile, and ability to limit HIV replication. Some of the most important CD8+ T cells subsets associated with viral control, production of potent antiviral molecules, and strong polyfunctional responses include Th1-like cytokine pattern and Tc17 cells. In addition, the expression of specific activation markers has been also associated with a more effective response of CD8+ T cells, as evidenced in HLA-DR+ CD38− cells. CD8+ T cells in both, peripheral blood and gut mucosa, are particularly important in individuals with a resistant phenotype, including HIV-exposed seronegative individuals (HESNs), long-term non-progressors (LTNPs) and HIV-controllers. Although the role of CD8+ T cells has been extensively explored in the context of an established HIV-1 infection, the presence of HIV-specific cells with effector abilities and a defined functional profile in HESNs, remain poorly understood. Here, we reviewed studies carried out on different subpopulations of CD8+ T cells in relation with natural resistance to HIV infection and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Milena Gonzalez
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Natalia Andrea Taborda
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia.,Grupo de Investigaciones Biomédicas Uniremington, Programa de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Corporación Universitaria Remington, Medellín, Colombia
| | - María Teresa Rugeles
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
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Rodriguez-Garcia M, Shen Z, Barr FD, Boesch AW, Ackerman ME, Kappes JC, Ochsenbauer C, Wira CR. Dendritic cells from the human female reproductive tract rapidly capture and respond to HIV. Mucosal Immunol 2017; 10:531-544. [PMID: 27579858 PMCID: PMC5332537 DOI: 10.1038/mi.2016.72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) throughout the female reproductive tract (FRT) were examined for phenotype, HIV capture ability and innate anti-HIV responses. Two main CD11c+ DC subsets were identified: CD11b+ and CD11blow DCs. CD11b+CD14+ DCs were the most abundant throughout the tract. A majority of CD11c+CD14+ cells corresponded to CD1c+ myeloid DCs, whereas the rest lacked CD1c and CD163 expression (macrophage marker) and may represent monocyte-derived cells. In addition, we identified CD103+ DCs, located exclusively in the endometrium, whereas DC-SIGN+ DCs were broadly distributed throughout the FRT. Following exposure to GFP-labeled HIV particles, CD14+ DC-SIGN+ as well as CD14+ DC-SIGN- cells captured virus, with ∼30% of these cells representing CD1c+ myeloid DCs. CD103+ DCs lacked HIV capture ability. Exposure of FRT DCs to HIV induced secretion of CCL2, CCR5 ligands, interleukin (IL)-8, elafin, and secretory leukocyte peptidase inhibitor (SLPI) within 3 h of exposure, whereas classical pro-inflammatory molecules did not change and interferon-α2 and IL-10 were undetectable. Furthermore, elafin and SLPI upregulation, but not CCL5, were suppressed by estradiol pre-treatment. Our results suggest that specific DC subsets in the FRT have the potential for capture and dissemination of HIV, exert antiviral responses and likely contribute to the recruitment of HIV-target cells through the secretion of innate immune molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rodriguez-Garcia
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA,Corresponding author. Address correspondence to Dr. Marta Rodriguez-Garcia, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756. Fax number: 603-6507717. Telephone number: 603-6502583.
| | - Zheng Shen
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Fiona D. Barr
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | | | | | - John C. Kappes
- Department of Medicine and UAB Center for AIDS Research, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL,Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Research Service Birmingham, AL
| | - Christina Ochsenbauer
- Department of Medicine and UAB Center for AIDS Research, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL
| | - Charles R. Wira
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
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Aguilar-Jimenez W, Saulle I, Trabattoni D, Vichi F, Lo Caputo S, Mazzotta F, Rugeles MT, Clerici M, Biasin M. High Expression of Antiviral and Vitamin D Pathway Genes Are a Natural Characteristic of a Small Cohort of HIV-1-Exposed Seronegative Individuals. Front Immunol 2017; 8:136. [PMID: 28243241 PMCID: PMC5303892 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural resistance to HIV-1 infection is influenced by genetics, viral-exposure, and endogenous immunomodulators such as vitamin D (VitD), being a multifactorial phenomenon that characterizes HIV-1-exposed seronegative individuals (HESNs). We compared mRNA expression of 10 antivirals, 5 immunoregulators, and 3 VitD pathway genes by qRT-PCR in cells of a small cohort of 11 HESNs, 16 healthy-controls (HCs), and 11 seropositives (SPs) at baseline, in response to calcidiol (VitD precursor) and/or aldithriol-2-(AT2)-inactivated HIV-1. In addition, the expression of TIM-3 on T and NK cells of six HCs after calcidiol and calcitriol (active VitD) treatments was evaluated by flow cytometry. Calcidiol increased the mRNA expression of HAVCR2 (TIM-3; Th1-cells inhibitor) in HCs and HESNs. AT2-HIV-1 increased the mRNA expression of the activating VitD enzyme CYP27B1, of the endogenous antiviral proteins MX2, TRIM22, APOBEC3G, and of immunoregulators ERAP2 and HAVCR2, but reduced the mRNA expression of VitD receptor (VDR) and antiviral peptides PI3 and CAMP in all groups. Remarkably, higher mRNA levels of VDR, CYP27B1, PI3, CAMP, SLPI, and of ERAP2 were found in HESNs compared to HCs either at baseline or after stimuli. Furthermore, calcitriol increases the percentage of CD4+ T cells expressing TIM-3 protein compared to EtOH controls. These results suggest that high mRNA expression of antiviral and VitD pathway genes could be genetically determined in HESNs more than viral-induced at least in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Moreover, the virus could potentiate bio-activation and use of VitD, maintaining the homeostasis of the immune system. Interestingly, VitD-induced TIM-3 on T cells, a T cell inhibitory and anti-HIV-1 molecule, requires further studies to analyze the functional outcomes during HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wbeimar Aguilar-Jimenez
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia; Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche-Luigi Sacco, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Irma Saulle
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche-Luigi Sacco, Università Degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
| | - Daria Trabattoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche-Luigi Sacco, Università Degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
| | | | | | | | - Maria T Rugeles
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA , Medellín , Colombia
| | - Mario Clerici
- Dipartimento di Fisiopatologia Medico-Chirurgica e dei Trapianti, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Fondazione Don C. Gnocchi, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Mara Biasin
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche-Luigi Sacco, Università Degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
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Cervantes CAC, Oliveira LMS, Manfrere KCG, Lima JF, Pereira NZ, Duarte AJS, Sato MN. Antiviral factors and type I/III interferon expression associated with regulatory factors in the oral epithelial cells from HIV-1-serodiscordant couples. Sci Rep 2016; 6:25875. [PMID: 27168019 PMCID: PMC4863167 DOI: 10.1038/srep25875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals who remain HIV-seronegative despite repeated unprotected exposure to the virus are defined as exposed seronegative (ESN) individuals. Innate and adaptive immunity, as well as genetic factors, provide ESNs with important advantages that allow for low infection susceptibility. The majority of HIV-1-infected individuals undergo antiretroviral therapy, which can decrease the level of HIV-1 exposure in ESNs. We analyzed type I interferon (IFN)-related antiviral and regulatory factors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and oral epithelial cells from serodiscordant couples. Our findings revealed that ESNs did not induce the expression of antiviral factors (APOBEC-3G, TRIM5-α, SAMDH1, STING, TBk1) or regulatory factors (Trex, Foxo3, Socs3, IL-10) in PBMCs, unlike their HIV-1-infected partners. In contrast, ESNs upregulated APOBEC-3G and type I/III IFNs (IFNs-α,-β/-λ) in oral mucosal epithelial cells similar to their HIV-infected partners. The serodiscordant groups exhibited an increased expression of type I IFN-induced regulators, such as Trex and Foxo3, in oral epithelial cells. TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9 were expressed in oral epithelial cells of both ESNs and HIV-1-infected subjects. These findings revealed evidence of antiviral factors, type I/III interferon and regulatory factor expression only in the oral mucosal compartment of ESNs, while HIV-1-infected partners systemically and oral mucosal expressed the antiviral profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar A C Cervantes
- Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luanda M S Oliveira
- Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kelly C G Manfrere
- Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Josenilson F Lima
- Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Natalli Z Pereira
- Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alberto J S Duarte
- Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria N Sato
- Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, LIM-56, Department of Dermatology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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14
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Antiviral molecules correlate with vitamin D pathway genes and are associated with natural resistance to HIV-1 infection. Microbes Infect 2016; 18:510-6. [PMID: 27083474 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2016.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Revised: 03/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between the immunomodulatory effects of Vitamin D (VitD) and the expression of anti-HIV-1 molecules has not been explored in HIV-1-exposed seronegative individuals (HESNs). Higher mRNA levels of cathelicidin and HAD-4 in oral-mucosa and peripheral-blood, along with higher CYP24A1 mRNA in vaginal-mucosa and lower TLR2 mRNA in endocervical-mucosa were found in HESNs compared to non-exposed controls. Furthermore, the mRNA of anti-HIV molecules Elafin, TRIM5, Cathelicidin, HAD-4 and RNase7, previously associated with natural resistance to HIV-1 infection, positively correlated with the mRNA expression of VDR in HESNs, suggesting the potential participation of VitD in natural resistance to HIV-1.
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