Corrigendum: Vaccination with immune complexes modulates the elicitation of functional antibodies against HIV-1

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1271686.].

Vaccination with immune complexes modulates the elicitation of functional antibodies against HIV-1

Introduction

Neutralizing antibodies (Abs) are one of the immune components required to protect against viral infections. However, developing vaccines capable of eliciting neutralizing Abs effective against a broad array of HIV-1 isolates has been an arduous challenge.

Objective

This study sought to test vaccines aimed to induce Abs against neutralizing epitopes at the V1V2 apex of HIV-1 envelope (Env).

Methods

Four groups of rabbits received a DNA vaccine expressing the V1V2 domain of the CRF01_AE A244 strain on a trimeric 2J9C scaffold (V1V2-2J9C) along with a protein vaccine consisting of an uncleaved prefusion-optimized A244 Env trimer with V3 truncation (UFO-BG.ΔV3) or a V1V2-2J9C protein and their respective immune complexes (ICs). These IC vaccines were made using 2158, a V1V2-specific monoclonal Ab (mAb), which binds the V2i epitope in the underbelly region of V1V2 while allosterically promoting the binding of broadly neutralizing mAb PG9 to its V2 apex epitope in vitro.

Results

Rabbit groups immunized with the DNA vaccine and uncomplexed or complexed UFO-BG.ΔV3 proteins (DNA/UFO-UC or IC) displayed similar profiles of Env- and V1V2-binding Abs but differed from the rabbits receiving the DNA vaccine and uncomplexed or complexed V1V2-2J9C proteins (DNA/V1V2-UC or IC), which generated more cross-reactive V1V2 Abs without detectable binding to gp120 or gp140 Env. Notably, the DNA/UFO-UC vaccine elicited neutralizing Abs against some heterologous tier 1 and tier 2 viruses from different clades, albeit at low titers and only in a fraction of animals, whereas the DNA/V1V2-UC or IC vaccines did not. In comparison with the DNA/UFO-UC group, the DNA/UFO-IC group showed a trend of higher neutralization against TH023.6 and a greater potency of V1V2-specific Ab-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) but failed to neutralize heterologous viruses.

Conclusion

These data demonstrate the capacity of V1V2-2J9C-encoding DNA vaccine in combination with UFO-BG.ΔV3, but not V1V2-2J9C, protein vaccines, to elicit homologous and heterologous neutralizing activities in rabbits. The elicitation of neutralizing and ADCP activities was modulated by delivery of UFO-BG.ΔV3 complexed with V2i mAb 2158.

Studies on the influence of power ultrasound on dye penetration in leather dyeing using photomicrographic analysis

The use of power ultrasound in enhancing diffusion rate in various chemical as well as physical processes is gaining in importance. The influence of power ultrasound in the leather dyeing process on enhancing the penetration of dye through the leather matrix was studied. The penetration of dye through a leather cross-section for a given time in the presence and absence of an ultrasonic field (33 kHz, 150 W) was studied by photomicrographic analysis using a stereomicroscope. Different types of black dyes, such as Acid black 1, Metal complex black 194 and Direct black 155, were used for dyeing leather in the present study. Photomicrographic analysis of a cross-section of dyed leather indicated better penetration of dyes through the leather matrix with the use of ultrasound than without it. Therefore, the results indicate that ultrasound helps to improve the diffusion of dye and to reduce diffusional resistance in the leather dyeing process.

New approach to curb the transmission of leprosy

The effect of local treatment of nose of lepromatous type of patients with different formulations of rifampicin nasal drops/sprays was investigated in a large number of patients. The preparations were either sprayed or instilled into the nostrils after flushing the nostrils with normal saline at 37 degrees C. It was observed that 10 mg/ml of rifampicin was effective in reducing the BI and MI to zero in nose in seven days in majority of the patients. No untoward effect was seen in any of the patients. It is suggested that nasal sprays/drops may be able to prevent the transmission of hanseniasis, as nose is recognised to be an important portal of exit of M. leprae. Further when rifampicin drops/sprays are used as soon as the diagnosis is made, the nasal deformity may be prevented. It is believed that local treatment along with systemic therapy would go a long way in controlling the transmission of hanseniasis.

Life events in obsessive compulsive neurosis

Twenty four patients diagnosed to be suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Neurosis for the first time and individually matched controls were rated on a Life Events Scale. Leyton Obsessional Inventory was also administered to the patients and controls. It was seen that patients had significantly higher scores on life events for a time span of one year prior to the onset of illness as compared to controls. The patient group also scored highly on obsessional trait scores. The study points to a strong association between excess of life events and the onset of obsessional illness.

Non-narcotic orally effective, centrally acting analgesic from an Ayurvedic drug

Embelin, a p-quinone, is derived from Embelia ribes Burm. The analgesic effect of potassium embelate has been studied in rats and mice. The test drug was found to be effective by oral, i.m. and i.c.v. routes and the results compared well with morphine. Although potassium embelate acts centrally to produce analgesia, its effect is not antagonized by naloxone indicating a different central site of action. There is no precipitation of abstinence syndrome as observed with morphine. Peripheral site of action of the drug is ruled out as it lacks any demonstrable anti-inflammatory action. It can be concluded that high oral efficacy and non-narcotic properties of the test drug make it more acceptable than morphine. In addition, lack of any adverse effects, high therapeutic index and absence of abstinence syndrome confers a long term safety on potassium embelate for use as an analgesic.

Thiol-dependent and non-thiol-dependent stimulations of insulin release

The effects of reduced glutathione (GSH) and diamide (an oxidant of GSH) on insulin release induced by glucose, glyceraldehyde, leucine, tolbutamide, glibenclamide, Ca-ionophore A-23187, isoprenaline, and dbcAMP were studied using isolated rat pancreatic islets. In the absence or presence of low glucose (5.6 mM) neither GSH (0.1 mM) nor diamide (0.1 mM) affected insulin release. Insulinotropic action of glucose (11.1 mM) and glyceraldehyde (11.1 mM), and that of tolbutamide (0.1 mg/ml) and leucine (10 mM) both in the presence of 11.1 mM glucose was further augmented by GSH and inhibited by diamide. GSH (0.05-1 mM) and diamide (0.1 mM) failed to affect the insulin secretion evoked by glibenclamide (5 micrograms/ml) + glucose (11.1 mM), Ca-ionophore A-23187 (50 micrograms/ml) + glucose (5.6 mM), isoprenaline (1 microM) + glucose (5.6 mM), and db-cAMP (1 mM) + glucose (5.6 mM). The data suggest that the insulin-releasing capacity of glucose, glyceraldehyde, tolbutamide, and leucine depends on the redox state of islet thiols, whereas the insulin-releasing effect of glibenclamide, Ca-ionophore, isoprenaline, and db-cAMP does not. The possibility that thiol dependency is associated with those compounds increasing Ca uptake but not with compounds acting as Ca-ionophores or only by increasing intracellular cAMP is discussed.

Scientific evidence on the role of Ayurvedic herbals on bioavailability of drugs

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the scientific basis of the use of the trikatu group of acrids (long pepper, black pepper and ginger) in the large number of prescriptions in Ayurveda. [3H] vasicine and [3H] sparteine were taken as test drugs. Piper longum (long pepper) increased the blood levels of vasicine by nearly 233%. Under the influence of piperine, the active principle of Piper species, sparteine blood levels increased more than 100%. The results suggest that these acrids have the capacity to increase the bioavailability of certain drugs. It appears that the trikatu group of drugs increase bioavailability either by promoting rapid absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, or by protecting the drug from being metabolised/oxidised in its first passage through the liver after being absorbed, or by a combination of these two mechanisms.

Stricture-plasty for tubercular strictures of the gastro-intestinal tract

Twenty stricture-plasties have been performed for multiple tubercular strictures of the gastro-intestinal tract in 9 patients, who in total had 35 strictures. The procedure has been found to be safe, simple and effective in relieving obstructive symptoms. It does not appear to carry the disadvantages of entero-anastomosis or multiple and/or massive resections in cases of multiple tubercular strictures of the small bowel.

Catheter duodenostomy for perforated duodenal ulcer

A new technique of catheter duodenostomy is described as treatment for a large perforated duodenal ulcer in a patient who came to the hospital seven days after the perforation. The problem of gastric stasis due to pyloric obstruction was tackled by gastrostomy. Nutritional needs of the patient were met by feeding through the duodenostomy catheter.