1
|
Hirons A, Yurick D, Jansz N, Ellenberg P, Franchini G, Einsiedel L, Khoury G, Purcell DFJ. High level of genomic divergence in orf-I p12 and hbz genes of HTLV-1 subtype-C in Central Australia. Retrovirology 2024; 21:14. [PMID: 39014486 PMCID: PMC11253349 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-024-00647-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection remains a largely neglected public health problem, particularly in resource-poor areas with high burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, such as some remote populations in Central Australia where an estimated 37% of adults are infected with HTLV-1. Most of our understanding of HTLV-1 infection comes from studies of the globally spread subtype-A (HTLV-1a), with few molecular studies reported with the Austral-Melanesian subtype-C (HTLV-1c) predominant in the Indo-Pacific and Oceania regions. RESULTS Using a primer walking strategy and direct sequencing, we constructed HTLV-1c genomic consensus sequences from 22 First Nations participants living with HTLV-1c in Central Australia. Phylogenetic and pairwise analysis of this subtype-C proviral gDNA showed higher levels of genomic divergence in comparison to previously published HTLV-1a genomes. While the overall genomic homology between subtypes was 92.5%, the lowest nucleotide and amino acid sequence identity occurred near the 3' end of the proviral genome coding regulatory genes, especially overlapping hbz (85.37%, 77.46%, respectively) and orf-I product p12 (82.00%, 70.30%, respectively). Strikingly, the HTLV-1c genomic consensus sequences uniformly showed a defective translation start codon for the immune regulatory proteins p12/p8 encoded by the HTLV-1A orf-I. Deletions in the proviral genome were detected in many subjects, particularly in the structural gag, pol and env genes. Similarly, using a droplet digital PCR assay measuring the copies of gag and tax per reference host genome, we quantitatively confirmed that provirus retains the tax gene region at higher levels than gag. CONCLUSIONS Our genomic analysis of HTLV-1c in Central Australia in conjunction with earlier Melanesian HTLV-1c sequences, elucidate substantial differences with respect to the globally spread HTLV-1a. Future studies should address the impact these genomic differences have on infection and the regionally distinctive frequency of associated pulmonary disease. Understanding the host and virus subtype factors which contribute to the differential morbidity observed, is crucial for the development of much needed therapeutics and vaccine strategies against this highly endemic infection in remote First Nations communities in Central Australia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Hirons
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David Yurick
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- UCB Pharma, Smyrna, GA, USA
| | - Natasha Jansz
- Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, TRI Building, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Paula Ellenberg
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Genoveffa Franchini
- Animal Models and Retroviral Vaccines Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lloyd Einsiedel
- Department of Medicine, Alice Springs Hospital, Alice Springs, NT, Australia
| | - Georges Khoury
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Kite Pharma, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Damian F J Purcell
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gutowska A, Sarkis S, Rahman MA, Goldfarbmuren KC, Moles R, Bissa M, Doster M, Washington-Parks R, McKinnon K, Silva de Castro I, Schifanella L, Franchini G, Pise-Masison CA. Complete Rescue of HTLV-1 p12KO Infectivity by Depletion of Monocytes Together with NK and CD8 + T Cells. Pathogens 2024; 13:292. [PMID: 38668247 PMCID: PMC11054408 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The transient depletion of monocytes alone prior to exposure of macaques to HTLV-1 enhances both HTLV-1WT (wild type) and HTLV-1p12KO (Orf-1 knockout) infectivity, but seroconversion to either virus is not sustained over time, suggesting a progressive decrease in virus expression. These results raise the hypotheses that either HTLV-1 persistence depends on a monocyte reservoir or monocyte depletion provides a transient immune evasion benefit. To test these hypotheses, we simultaneously depleted NK cells, CD8+ T cells, and monocytes (triple depletion) prior to exposure to HTLV-1WT or HTLV-1p12KO. Remarkably, triple depletion resulted in exacerbation of infection by both viruses and complete rescue of HTLV-1p12KO infectivity. Following triple depletion, we observed rapid and sustained seroconversion, high titers of antibodies against HTLV-1 p24Gag, and frequent detection of viral DNA in the blood and tissues of all animals when compared with depletion of only CD8+ and NK cells, or monocytes alone. The infection of macaques with HTLV-1WT or HTLV-1p12KO was associated with higher plasma levels of IL-10 after 21 weeks, while IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-18, and IL-1β were only elevated in animals infected with HTLV-1WT. The repeat depletion of monocytes, NK, and CD8+ cells seven months following the first exposure to HTLV-1 did not further exacerbate viral replication. These results underscore the contribution of monocytes in orchestrating anti-viral immunity. Indeed, the absence of orf-1 expression was fully compensated by the simultaneous depletion of CD8+ T cells, NK cells, and monocytes, underlining the primary role of orf-1 in hijacking host immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Gutowska
- Animal Models and Retroviral Vaccines Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.G.); (S.S.); (I.S.d.C.)
| | - Sarkis Sarkis
- Animal Models and Retroviral Vaccines Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.G.); (S.S.); (I.S.d.C.)
| | - Mohammad Arif Rahman
- Animal Models and Retroviral Vaccines Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.G.); (S.S.); (I.S.d.C.)
| | - Katherine C. Goldfarbmuren
- Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
- Advanced Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Ramona Moles
- Animal Models and Retroviral Vaccines Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.G.); (S.S.); (I.S.d.C.)
| | - Massimiliano Bissa
- Animal Models and Retroviral Vaccines Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.G.); (S.S.); (I.S.d.C.)
| | - Melvin Doster
- Animal Models and Retroviral Vaccines Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.G.); (S.S.); (I.S.d.C.)
| | - Robyn Washington-Parks
- Animal Models and Retroviral Vaccines Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.G.); (S.S.); (I.S.d.C.)
| | - Katherine McKinnon
- Vaccine Branch Flow Cytometry Core, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Isabela Silva de Castro
- Animal Models and Retroviral Vaccines Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.G.); (S.S.); (I.S.d.C.)
| | - Luca Schifanella
- Animal Models and Retroviral Vaccines Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.G.); (S.S.); (I.S.d.C.)
| | - Genoveffa Franchini
- Animal Models and Retroviral Vaccines Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.G.); (S.S.); (I.S.d.C.)
| | - Cynthia A. Pise-Masison
- Animal Models and Retroviral Vaccines Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.G.); (S.S.); (I.S.d.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sanz M, Chernet S, Shymansky J, Mandel A, Chitrakar A, Kaminski HJ, Ghosh P, Soriano-Sarabia N. Mycophenolate mofetil for the long-term treatment of HTLV-1 associated myelopathy: A case report. J Neuroimmunol 2024; 388:578294. [PMID: 38306927 PMCID: PMC10932830 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2024.578294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) can cause HTLV-1 Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Current treatment options for HAM/TSP are limited. We present a woman with rapidly-progressive HAM/TSP with significant, sustained clinical improvement following initiation of mycophenolate mofetil (MMA). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the patient, her asymptomatic carrier husband and eight healthy controls were isolated. Frequencies of T-cell populations upon exposure to low and high MMA concentrations and differences in proliferation were analyzed using flow cytometry and a CSFE-proliferation assay. Characterization of T-cell function and proliferation showed higher levels of GranzymeB in HTLV-1+ donors. The improvement and stability of symptoms in this patient with HAM/TSP following MMA initiation requires further study as a potential treatment for HAM/TSP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Sanz
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ross Hall, 2300 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Sofia Chernet
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ross Hall, 2300 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - John Shymansky
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ross Hall, 2300 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Alexandra Mandel
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ross Hall, 2300 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Alisha Chitrakar
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ross Hall, 2300 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Henry J Kaminski
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ross Hall, 2300 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Pritha Ghosh
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ross Hall, 2300 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
| | - Natalia Soriano-Sarabia
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ross Hall, 2300 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Seighali N, Shafiee A, Rafiee MA, Aminzade D, Mozhgani SH. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) proposed vaccines: a systematic review of preclinical and clinical studies. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:320. [PMID: 37170214 PMCID: PMC10173209 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08289-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous vaccination research experiments have been conducted on non-primate hosts to prevent or control HTLV-1 infection. Therefore, reviewing recent advancements for status assessment and strategic planning of future preventative actions to reduce HTLV-1 infection and its consequences would be essential. METHODS MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Clinicaltrials.gov were searched from each database's inception through March 27, 2022. All original articles focusing on developing an HTLV-1 vaccine candidate were included. RESULTS A total of 47 studies were included. They used a variety of approaches to develop the HTLV-1 vaccine, including DNA-based, dendritic-cell-based, peptide/protein-based, and recombinant vaccinia virus approaches. The majority of the research that was included utilized Tax, Glycoprotein (GP), GAG, POL, REX, and HBZ as their main peptides in order to develop the vaccine. The immunization used in dendritic cell-based investigations, which were more recently published, was accomplished by an activated CD-8 T-cell response. Although there hasn't been much attention lately on this form of the vaccine, the initial attempts to develop an HTLV-1 immunization depended on recombinant vaccinia virus, and the majority of results seem positive and effective for this type of vaccine. Few studies were conducted on humans. Most of the studies were experimental studies using animal models. Adenovirus, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), vaccinia, baculovirus, hepatitis B, measles, and pox were the most commonly used vectors. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review reported recent progression in the development of HTLV-1 vaccines to identify candidates with the most promising preventive and therapeutic effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Seighali
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Arman Shafiee
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Rafiee
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Dlnya Aminzade
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sayed-Hamidreza Mozhgani
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
- Non-Communicable Disease Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|