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Serwanga J, Ankunda V, Katende JS, Baine C, Oluka GK, Odoch G, Nantambi H, Mugaba S, Namuyanja A, Ssali I, Ejou P, Kato L, Musenero M, Kaleebu P. Sustained S-IgG and S-IgA antibodies to Moderna's mRNA-1273 vaccine in a Sub-Saharan African cohort suggests need for booster timing reconsiderations. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1348905. [PMID: 38357547 PMCID: PMC10864610 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1348905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study sought to elucidate the long-term antibody responses to the Moderna mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine within a Ugandan cohort, aiming to contribute to the sparse data on m-RNA vaccine immunogenicity in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods We tracked the development and persistence of the elicited antibodies in 19 participants aged 18 to 67, who received two doses of the mRNA-1273 vaccine. A validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies against the spike (S) and nucleoproteins (N). The study's temporal scope extended from the baseline to one year, capturing immediate and long-term immune responses. Statistical analyses were performed using the Wilcoxon test to evaluate changes in antibody levels across predetermined intervals with the Hochberg correction for multiple comparisons. Results Our results showed a significant initial rise in spike-directed IgG (S-IgG) and spike-directed IgA (S-IgA) levels, which remained elevated for the duration of the study. The S-IgG concentrations peaked 14 days afterboosting, while spike-directed IgM (S-IgM) levels were transient, aligning with their early response role. Notably, post-booster antibody concentrations did not significantly change. Prior S-IgG status influenced the post-priming S-IgA dynamics, with baseline S-IgG positive individuals maintaining higher S-IgA responses, a difference that did not reach statistical difference post-boost. Three instances of breakthrough infections: two among participants who exhibited baseline seropositivity for S-IgG, and one in a participant initially seronegative for S-IgG. Discussion In conclusion, the mRNA-1273 vaccine elicited robust and persistent S-IgG and S-IgA antibody responses, particularly after the first dose, indicating potential for long-term immunity. Prior viral exposure enhances post-vaccination S-IgA responses compared to naive individuals, which aligned with the prior-naïve, post-boost. The stable antibody levels observed post-booster dose, remaining high over an extended period, with no significant secondary rise, and no difference by baseline exposure, suggest that initial vaccination may sufficiently prime the immune system for prolonged protection in this population, allowing for potential to delay booster schedules as antibody responses remained high at the time of boosting. This finding calls for a reassessment of the booster dose scheduling in this demographic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Serwanga
- Viral Pathogens Research Theme, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Violet Ankunda
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Joseph Ssebwana Katende
- Viral Pathogens Research Theme, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Claire Baine
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Gerald Kevin Oluka
- Viral Pathogens Research Theme, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Geoffrey Odoch
- Viral Pathogens Research Theme, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Hellen Nantambi
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Susan Mugaba
- Viral Pathogens Research Theme, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Angella Namuyanja
- Viral Pathogens Research Theme, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Ivan Ssali
- Viral Pathogens Research Theme, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Peter Ejou
- Viral Pathogens Research Theme, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Laban Kato
- Viral Pathogens Research Theme, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Monica Musenero
- Science, Technology, and Innovation Secretariat, Office of the President, Government of Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Pontiano Kaleebu
- Viral Pathogens Research Theme, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
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Ssali I, Mugaba S, Watelo AK, Bemanzi J, Katende JS, Oluka GK, Ankunda V, Baine C, Kato L, Onyachi N, Muwanga M, Jjuuko M, Kayiwa J, Nsereko C, Auma BO, Weiskopf D, Sette A, Lutalo T, Musenero M, Kaleebu P, Serwanga J. Spike protein is a key target for stronger and more persistent T-cell responses-a study of mild and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Int J Infect Dis 2023; 136:49-56. [PMID: 37683720 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Understanding the immune response in very mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 is crucial for developing effective vaccines and immunotherapies, yet remains poorly characterized. This longitudinal study examined the evolution of interferon (IFN)-γ responses to SARS-CoV-2 peptides in 109 asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic Ugandan COVID-19 patients across 365 days and explored their association with antibody generation. METHODS T-cell responses to spike-containing clusters of differentiation (CD4)-S and CD8 nCoV-A (CD8-A) megapools, and the non-spike CD4-R and CD8 nCoV-B (CD8-B) megapools, were assessed and correlated with demographic and temporal variables. RESULTS SARS-CoV-2-specific IFN-γ responses were consistently detected in all peptide pools and time points, with the spike-targeted response exhibiting higher potency and durability than the non-spike responses. Throughout the entire 365-day infection timeline, a robust positive correlation was observed between CD4 T-cell responses to the spike-derived peptides and anti-spike immunoglobulin G antibody levels, underscoring their interdependent dynamics in the immune response against SARS-CoV-2; in contrast, CD8 T-cell responses exhibited no such correlation, highlighting their distinctive, autonomous role in defense. No meaningful variations in complete blood count parameters were observed between individuals with COVID-19 infection and those without, indicating clinical insignificance. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the dominant role of spike-directed T-cell responses in mild and asymptomatic disease and provides crucial longitudinal data from Sub-Saharan African settings. The findings provide valuable insights into the dynamics of T-cell responses and their potential significance in developing effective strategies for combating COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Ssali
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Susan Mugaba
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | - Juliana Bemanzi
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Joseph Ssebwana Katende
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda; Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Gerald Kevin Oluka
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda; Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Violet Ankunda
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Claire Baine
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Laban Kato
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Nathan Onyachi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Masaka, Uganda
| | - Moses Muwanga
- Department of Internal Medicine, Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Mark Jjuuko
- Department of Internal Medicine, Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Masaka, Uganda
| | - John Kayiwa
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Christopher Nsereko
- Department of Internal Medicine, Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Betty Oliver Auma
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Daniela Weiskopf
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, USA
| | - Alessandro Sette
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, USA
| | - Tom Lutalo
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Monica Musenero
- Science, Technology, and Innovation Secretariat, Office of the President, Government of Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Pontiano Kaleebu
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda; Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Jennifer Serwanga
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda; Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda.
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Maust BS, Petkov S, Herrera C, Feng C, Brown BP, Lebina L, Opoka D, Ssemata A, Pillay N, Serwanga J, Seatlholo P, Namubiru P, Odoch G, Mugaba S, Seiphetlo T, Gray CM, Kaleebu P, Webb EL, Martinson N, Chiodi F, Fox J, Jaspan HB. Bacterial microbiome and host inflammatory gene expression in foreskin tissue. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22145. [PMID: 38053902 PMCID: PMC10694185 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The penile epithelial microbiome remains underexplored. We sequenced human RNA and a segment of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene from the foreskin tissue of 144 adolescents from South Africa and Uganda collected during penile circumcision after receipt of 1-2 doses of placebo, emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, or emtricitabine + tenofovir alafenamide to investigate the microbiome of foreskin tissue and its potential changes with antiretroviral use. We identified a large number of anaerobic species, including Corynebacterium acnes, which was detected more frequently in participants from South Africa than Uganda. Bacterial populations did not differ by treatment received, and no differentially abundant taxa were identified between placebo versus active drug recipients. The relative abundance of specific bacterial taxa was negatively correlated with expression of genes downstream of the innate immune response to bacteria and regulation of inflammation. Our results show no difference in the tissue microbiome of the foreskin with short-course antiretroviral use but that bacterial taxa were largely inversely correlated with inflammatory gene expression, consistent with commensal colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon S. Maust
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Division of Infectious Disease, Dept of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Stefan Petkov
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Carolina Herrera
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Colin Feng
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Bryan P. Brown
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Division of Infectious Disease, Dept of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Limakatso Lebina
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
| | - Daniel Opoka
- Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Andrew Ssemata
- Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Natasha Pillay
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
| | - Jennifer Serwanga
- Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Portia Seatlholo
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
| | - Patricia Namubiru
- Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Geoffrey Odoch
- Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Susan Mugaba
- Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Thabiso Seiphetlo
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | - Clive M. Gray
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
- Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa
| | - Pontiano Kaleebu
- Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Emily L. Webb
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Neil Martinson
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
| | - Francesca Chiodi
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Julie Fox
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, Kings College, London, WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Heather B. Jaspan
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Division of Infectious Disease, Dept of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | - CHAPS team
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Division of Infectious Disease, Dept of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W2 1PG, UK
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
- Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
- Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, Kings College, London, WC2R 2LS, UK
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Rametse CL, Webb EL, Herrera C, Alinde B, Besethi A, Motaung B, Mbangiwa T, Leach L, Sebaa S, Pillay ADAP, Seiphetlo TB, Malhangu B, Petkov S, Else L, Mugaba S, Namubiru P, Odoch G, Opoka D, Serwanga J, Ssemata AS, Kaleebu P, Khoo S, Lebina L, Martinson N, Chiodi F, Fox J, Gray CM. A randomized clinical trial of on-demand oral pre-exposure prophylaxis does not modulate lymphoid/myeloid HIV target cell density in the foreskin. AIDS 2023; 37:1651-1659. [PMID: 37289572 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES As topical pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been shown to cause immune modulation in rectal or cervical tissue, our aim was to examine the impact of oral PrEP on lymphoid and myeloid changes in the foreskin in response to dosing and timing of drug administration. DESIGN HIV-negative male individuals ( n = 144) were recruited in South Africa and Uganda into an open-label randomized controlled trial in a 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 ratio to control arm (with no PrEP) or one of eight arms receiving emtricitabine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (F/TDF) or emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide (F/TAF) at one of two different doses, 5 or 21 h before undergoing voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC). METHODS After dorsal-slit circumcision, foreskin tissue sections were embedded into Optimal Cutting Temperature media and analysed, blinded to trial allocation, to determine numbers of CD4 + CCR5 + , CD1a + cells and claudin-1 expression. Cell densities were correlated with tissue-bound drug metabolites and p24 production after ex-vivo foreskin challenge with HIV-1 bal . RESULTS There was no significant difference in CD4 + CCR5 + or CD1a + cell numbers in foreskins between treatment arms compared with the control arm. Claudin-1 expression was 34% higher ( P = 0.003) in foreskin tissue from participants receiving PrEP relative to controls, but was no longer statistically significant after controlling for multiple comparisons. There was neither correlation of CD4 + CCR5 + , CD1a + cell numbers, or claudin-1 expression with tissue-bound drug metabolites, nor with p24 production after ex-vivo viral challenge. CONCLUSION Oral doses and timing of on-demand PrEP and in-situ drug metabolite levels in tissue have no effect on numbers or anatomical location of lymphoid or myeloid HIV target cells in foreskin tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosnet L Rametse
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Emily L Webb
- Medical Research Council (MRC) International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
| | - Carolina Herrera
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Berenice Alinde
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Asiphe Besethi
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Bongani Motaung
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tshepiso Mbangiwa
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lloyd Leach
- Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Biomedical Research Institute, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shorok Sebaa
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Azure-Dee A P Pillay
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- University of the Witwatersrand Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Thabiso B Seiphetlo
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- University of the Witwatersrand Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Boitshoko Malhangu
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- University of the Witwatersrand Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Stefan Petkov
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Laura Else
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Susan Mugaba
- MRC/Uganda Virus Research Institute/London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Patricia Namubiru
- MRC/Uganda Virus Research Institute/London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Geoffrey Odoch
- MRC/Uganda Virus Research Institute/London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Daniel Opoka
- MRC/Uganda Virus Research Institute/London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Jennifer Serwanga
- MRC/Uganda Virus Research Institute/London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Andrew S Ssemata
- MRC/Uganda Virus Research Institute/London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Pontiano Kaleebu
- MRC/Uganda Virus Research Institute/London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Saye Khoo
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Limakatso Lebina
- University of the Witwatersrand Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Neil Martinson
- University of the Witwatersrand Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Francesca Chiodi
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Clive M Gray
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Biomedical Research Institute, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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5
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Herrera C, Serwanga J, Else L, Limakatso L, Opoka D, Ssemata AS, Pillay AD, Namubiru P, Seiphetlo TB, Odoch G, Mugaba S, Seatlholo P, Alieu A, Penchala SD, Muhumuza R, Alinde B, Petkov S, O'Hagan K, Callebaut C, Seeley J, Weiss H, Khoo S, Chiodi F, Gray CM, Kaleebu P, Webb EL, Martinson N, Fox J. Dose finding study for on-demand HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis for insertive sex in sub-Saharan Africa: results from the CHAPS open label randomised controlled trial. EBioMedicine 2023; 93:104648. [PMID: 37327677 PMCID: PMC10275696 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The efficacy of on-demand HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for men in sub-Saharan Africa has not been evaluated, and the on-demand PrEP dosing requirement for insertive sex remains unknown. METHODS HIV-negative males 13-24 years, requesting voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC), were enrolled into an open-label randomised controlled trial (NCT03986970), and randomised 1:1:1:1:1:1:1:1:1 to control arm or one of eight arms receiving emtricitabine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (F/TDF) or emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide (F/TAF) over one or two days, and circumcised 5 or 21 h thereafter. The primary outcome was foreskin p24 concentrations following ex vivo HIV-1BaL challenge. Secondary outcomes included peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) p24 concentration, and drug concentrations in foreskin tissue, PBMCs, plasma and foreskin CD4+/CD4-cells. In the control arm, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) activity of non-formulated tenofovir-emtricitabine (TFV-FTC) or TAF-FTC was assessed with ex vivo dosing 1, 24, 48 or 72 h post-HIV-1 challenge. FINDINGS 144 participants were analysed. PrEP with F/TDF or F/TAF prevented ex vivo infection of foreskins and PBMCs both 5 and 21 h after PrEP dosing. There was no difference between F/TDF and F/TAF (p24day15 geometric mean ratio 1.06, 95% confidence interval: 0.65-1.74). Additional ex vivo dosing did not further increase inhibition. In the control arm, PEP ex vivo dosing was effective up to 48 post-exposure diminishing thereafter, with TAF-FTC showing prolonged protection compared to TFV-FTC. Participants receiving F/TAF had higher TFV-DP concentrations in foreskin tissue and PBMCs compared with F/TDF, irrespective of dose and sampling interval; but F/TAF did not confer preferential TFV-DP distribution into foreskin HIV target cells. FTC-TP concentrations with both drug regimens were equivalent and ∼1 log higher than TFV-DP in foreskin. INTERPRETATION A double dose of either F/TDF or F/TAF given once either 5 or 21 h before ex vivo HIV-challenge provided protection across foreskin tissue. Further clinical evaluation of pre-coital PrEP for insertive sex is warranted. FUNDING EDCTP2, Gilead Sciences, Vetenskapsrådet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Herrera
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, W2 1PG, London, UK
| | - Jennifer Serwanga
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute, and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Laura Else
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, William Henry Duncan Building, University of Liverpool, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
| | - Lebina Limakatso
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Africa Health Research Unit, Durban, South Africa
| | - Daniel Opoka
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute, and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Andrew S Ssemata
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute, and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda; Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Azure-Dee Pillay
- Division of Immunology, University of Cape Town, South Africa based at Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit (RMPRU). Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, 30 Chris Hani Road, Diepkloof, Soweto, 1862, South Africa
| | - Patricia Namubiru
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute, and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Thabiso B Seiphetlo
- Division of Immunology, University of Cape Town, South Africa based at Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit (RMPRU). Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, 30 Chris Hani Road, Diepkloof, Soweto, 1862, South Africa
| | - Geoffrey Odoch
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute, and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Susan Mugaba
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute, and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Portia Seatlholo
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Africa Health Research Unit, Durban, South Africa
| | - Amara Alieu
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, William Henry Duncan Building, University of Liverpool, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
| | - Sujan Dilly Penchala
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, William Henry Duncan Building, University of Liverpool, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
| | - Richard Muhumuza
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute, and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Berenice Alinde
- Division of Immunology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stefan Petkov
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Kyle O'Hagan
- Division of Immunology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Janet Seeley
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK; Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute, and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Helen Weiss
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Saye Khoo
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, William Henry Duncan Building, University of Liverpool, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
| | - Francesca Chiodi
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Clive M Gray
- Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Research Institute, Stellenbosch University (Tygerberg Campus), Francie van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Pontiano Kaleebu
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute, and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Emily L Webb
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Neil Martinson
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Africa Health Research Unit, Durban, South Africa; Johns Hopkins University Center for TB Research, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Julie Fox
- Infection and Immunity, Borough Wing, Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, St. Thomas Street, SE1 9RS, London, UK.
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6
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Serwanga J, Baine C, Mugaba S, Ankunda V, Auma BO, Oluka GK, Kato L, Kitabye I, Sembera J, Odoch G, Ejou P, Nalumansi A, Gombe B, Musenero M, Kaleebu P. Seroprevalence and durability of antibody responses to AstraZeneca vaccination in Ugandans with prior mild or asymptomatic COVID-19: implications for vaccine policy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1183983. [PMID: 37205095 PMCID: PMC10187141 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1183983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The duration and timing of immunity conferred by COVID-19 vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa are crucial for guiding pandemic policy interventions, but systematic data for this region is scarce. This study investigated the antibody response after AstraZeneca vaccination in COVID-19 convalescent Ugandans. Methods We recruited 86 participants with a previous rt-PCR-confirmed mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 infection and measured the prevalence and levels of spike-directed IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies at baseline, 14 and 28 days after the first dose (priming), 14 days after the second dose (boosting), and at six- and nine-months post-priming. We also measured the prevalence and levels of nucleoprotein-directed antibodies to assess breakthrough infections. Results Within two weeks of priming, vaccination substantially increased the prevalence and concentrations of spike-directed antibodies (p < 0.0001, Wilcoxon signed rank test), with 97.0% and 66% of vaccinated individuals possessing S-IgG and S-IgA antibodies before administering the booster dose. S-IgM prevalence changed marginally after the initial vaccination and barely after the booster, consistent with an already primed immune system. However, we also observed a rise in nucleoprotein seroprevalence, indicative of breakthroughs six months after the initial vaccination. Discussion Our results suggest that vaccination of COVID-19 convalescent individuals with the AstraZeneca vaccine induces a robust and differential spike-directed antibody response. The data highlights the value of vaccination as an effective method for inducing immunity in previously infected individuals and the importance of administering two doses to maintain protective immunity. Monitoring anti-spike IgG and IgA when assessing vaccine-induced antibody responses is suggested for this population; assessing S-IgM will underestimate the response. The AstraZeneca vaccine is a valuable tool in the fight against COVID-19. Further research is needed to determine the durability of vaccine-induced immunity and the potential need for booster doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Serwanga
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Claire Baine
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Susan Mugaba
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Violet Ankunda
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Betty Oliver Auma
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Gerald Kevin Oluka
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Laban Kato
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Isaac Kitabye
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Jackson Sembera
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Geoffrey Odoch
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Peter Ejou
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Amina Nalumansi
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Ben Gombe
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Monica Musenero
- Science, Technology, and Innovation Secretariat, Office of the President, Government of Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Pontiano Kaleebu
- Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype, and Immunity Program, Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
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7
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Nantambi H, Sembera J, Ankunda V, Ssali I, Kalyebi AW, Oluka GK, Kato L, Ubaldo B, Kibengo F, Katende JS, Gombe B, Baine C, Odoch G, Mugaba S, Sande OJ, Kaleebu P, Serwanga J. Pre-pandemic SARS-CoV-2-specific IFN-γ and antibody responses were low in Ugandan samples and significantly reduced in HIV-positive specimens. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1148877. [PMID: 37153598 PMCID: PMC10154590 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1148877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction We investigated whether prior SARS-CoV-2-specific IFN-γ and antibody responses in Ugandan COVID-19 pre-pandemic specimens aligned to this population's low disease severity. Methods We used nucleoprotein (N), spike (S), NTD, RBD, envelope, membrane, SD1/2-directed IFN-γ ELISpots, and an S- and N-IgG antibody ELISA to screen for SARS-CoV-2-specific cross-reactivity. Results HCoV-OC43-, HCoV-229E-, and SARS-CoV-2-specific IFN-γ occurred in 23, 15, and 17 of 104 specimens, respectively. Cross-reactive IgG was more common against the nucleoprotein (7/110, 15.5%; p = 0.0016, Fishers' Exact) than the spike (3/110, 2.72%). Specimens lacking anti-HuCoV antibodies had higher rates of pre-epidemic SARS-CoV-2-specific IFN-γ cross-reactivity (p-value = 0.00001, Fishers' exact test), suggesting that exposure to additional factors not examined here might play a role. SARS-CoV-2-specific cross-reactive antibodies were significantly less common in HIV-positive specimens (p=0.017; Fishers' Exact test). Correlations between SARS-CoV-2- and HuCoV-specific IFN-γ responses were consistently weak in both HIV negative and positive specimens. Discussion These findings support the existence of pre-epidemic SARS-CoV-2-specific cellular and humoral cross-reactivity in this population. The data do not establish that these virus-specific IFN-γ and antibody responses are entirely specific to SARS-CoV-2. Inability of the antibodies to neutralise SARS-CoV-2 implies that prior exposure did not result in immunity. Correlations between SARS-CoV-2 and HuCoV-specific responses were consistently weak, suggesting that additional variables likely contributed to the pre-epidemic cross-reactivity patterns. The data suggests that surveillance efforts based on the nucleoprotein might overestimate the exposure to SARS-CoV-2 compared to inclusion of additional targets, like the spike protein. This study, while limited in scope, suggests that HIV-positive people are less likely than HIV-negative people to produce protective antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hellen Nantambi
- Medical Research Council (MRC), Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jackson Sembera
- Medical Research Council (MRC), Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Violet Ankunda
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Ivan Ssali
- Medical Research Council (MRC), Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Arthur Watelo Kalyebi
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Gerald Kevin Oluka
- Medical Research Council (MRC), Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Laban Kato
- Medical Research Council (MRC), Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Bahemuka Ubaldo
- Medical Research Council (MRC), Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Freddie Kibengo
- Medical Research Council (MRC), Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Joseph Ssebwana Katende
- Medical Research Council (MRC), Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Ben Gombe
- Medical Research Council (MRC), Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Claire Baine
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Geoffrey Odoch
- Medical Research Council (MRC), Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Susan Mugaba
- Medical Research Council (MRC), Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Obondo James Sande
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - The COVID-19 Immunoprofiling Team
- Medical Research Council (MRC), Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Pontiano Kaleebu
- Medical Research Council (MRC), Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Jennifer Serwanga
- Medical Research Council (MRC), Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Immunology, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
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Fernandez N, Hayes P, Makinde J, Hare J, King D, Xu R, Rehawi O, Mezzell AT, Kato L, Mugaba S, Serwanga J, Chemweno J, Nduati E, Price MA, Osier F, Ochsenbauer C, Yue L, Hunter E, Gilmour J. Assessment of a diverse panel of transmitted/founder HIV-1 infectious molecular clones in a luciferase based CD8 T-cell mediated viral inhibition assay. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1029029. [PMID: 36532063 PMCID: PMC9751811 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1029029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Immunological protection against human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection is likely to require both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, the latter involving cytotoxic CD8 T-cells. Characterisation of CD8 T-cell mediated direct anti-viral activity would provide understanding of potential correlates of immune protection and identification of critical epitopes associated with HIV-1 control. Methods The present report describes a functional viral inhibition assay (VIA) to assess CD8 T-cell-mediated inhibition of replication of a large and diverse panel of 45 HIV-1 infectious molecular clones (IMC) engineered with a Renilla reniformis luciferase reporter gene (LucR), referred to as IMC-LucR. HIV-1 IMC replication in CD4 T-cells and CD8 T-cell mediated inhibition was characterised in both ART naive subjects living with HIV-1 covering a broad human leukocyte antigen (HLA) distribution and compared with uninfected subjects. Results & discussion CD4 and CD8 T-cell lines were established from subjects vaccinated with a candidate HIV-1 vaccine and provided standard positive controls for both assay quality control and facilitating training and technology transfer. The assay was successfully established across 3 clinical research centres in Kenya, Uganda and the United Kingdom and shown to be reproducible. This IMC-LucR VIA enables characterisation of functional CD8 T-cell responses providing a tool for rational T-cell immunogen design of HIV-1 vaccine candidates and evaluation of vaccine-induced T-cell responses in HIV-1 clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Fernandez
- IAVI Human Immunology Laboratory, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Natalia Fernandez, ; Peter Hayes,
| | - Peter Hayes
- IAVI Human Immunology Laboratory, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Natalia Fernandez, ; Peter Hayes,
| | - Julia Makinde
- IAVI Human Immunology Laboratory, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Hare
- IAVI Human Immunology Laboratory, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom,IAVI, New York, NY, United States
| | - Deborah King
- IAVI Human Immunology Laboratory, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rui Xu
- Emory Vaccine Center at Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ola Rehawi
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | | | - Laban Kato
- Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda,Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Susan Mugaba
- Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda,Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Jennifer Serwanga
- Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda,Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - James Chemweno
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Eunice Nduati
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Matt A. Price
- IAVI, New York, NY, United States,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Faith Osier
- IAVI Human Immunology Laboratory, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ling Yue
- Emory Vaccine Center at Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Eric Hunter
- Emory Vaccine Center at Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jill Gilmour
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
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9
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Petkov S, Herrera C, Else L, Lebina L, Opoka D, Seiphetlo TB, Pillay ADAP, Mugaba S, Namubiru P, Odoch G, Ssemata AS, Serwanga J, Kaleebu P, Webb EL, Khoo S, Martinson N, Gray CM, Fox J, Chiodi F. Short-term oral pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV-1 modulates the transcriptome of foreskin tissue in young men in Africa. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1009978. [PMID: 36479111 PMCID: PMC9720390 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1009978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Whilst short-term oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with antiretroviral drugs in men who have sex with men has shown protection against HIV-1 infection, the impact of this regimen on the in vivo foreskin transcriptome is unknown. We collected foreskin tissue after voluntary medical male circumcision from 144 young men (72 from Uganda and 72 from South Africa) randomized to one to two doses of either oral tenofovir (TFV) disoproxil fumarate (FTC-TDF) or tenofovir alafenamide (FTC-TAF) or no drug (untreated controls). This novel approach allowed us to examine the impact of short-term oral PrEP on transcriptome of the male genital tract. A single dose of FTC-TDF did not affect the foreskin transcriptome in relation to control arm, however one dose of FTC-TAF induced upregulation of four genes AKAP8, KIAA0141, HSCB and METTL17. Following two doses of either FTC-TDF or FTC-TAF, there was an increase in 34 differentially expressed genes for FTC-TDF and 15 for FTC-TAF, with nine DEGs in common: KIAA0141, SAFB2, CACTIN, FXR2, AKAP8, HSCB, CLNS1A, DDX27 and DCAF15. Functional analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed modulation of biological processes related to mitochondrial stress (KIAA0141, HSCB and METTL17), anti-viral and anti-inflammatory pathways (CACTIN and AKAP8). Our results show that short-course on-demand oral PrEP in men modulates genes in foreskin tissue which are likely unfavorable to HIV acquisition and replication. We also describe an upregulated expression of genes involved in diverse mitochondria biology which may potentially result in worsened mitochondria-related. These results warrant further studies to assess the role of short-course and prolonged oral PrEP on biological processes of the foreskin mucosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Petkov
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carolina Herrera
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Else
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Limakatso Lebina
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Daniel Opoka
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thabiso B. Seiphetlo
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Azure-Dee AP. Pillay
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Susan Mugaba
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia Namubiru
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Geoffrey Odoch
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew S. Ssemata
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Serwanga
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pontiano Kaleebu
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily L. Webb
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Saye Khoo
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Martinson
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Clive M. Gray
- Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Biomedical Research Institute, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Julie Fox
- Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Chiodi
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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10
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Petkov S, Herrera C, Else L, Mugaba S, Namubiru P, Odoch G, Opoka D, Pillay ADAP, Seiphetlo TB, Serwanga J, Ssemata AS, Kaleebu P, Webb EL, Khoo S, Lebina L, Gray CM, Martinson N, Fox J, Chiodi F. Mobilization of systemic CCL4 following HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in young men in Africa. Front Immunol 2022; 13:965214. [PMID: 35967369 PMCID: PMC9363563 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.965214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) relies on inhibition of HIV-1 replication steps. To understand how PrEP modulates the immunological environment, we derived the plasma proteomic profile of men receiving emtricitabine-tenofovir (FTC-TDF) or emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide (FTC-TAF) during the CHAPS trial in South Africa and Uganda (NCT03986970). The CHAPS trial randomized 144 participants to one control and 8 PrEP arms, differing by drug type, number of PrEP doses and timing from final PrEP dose to sampling. Blood was collected pre- and post-PrEP. The inflammatory profile of plasma samples was analyzed using Olink (N=92 proteins) and Luminex (N=33) and associated with plasma drug concentrations using mass spectrometry. The proteins whose levels changed most significantly from pre- to post-PrEP were CCL4, CCL3 and TNF-α; CCL4 was the key discriminator between pre- and post-PrEP samples. CCL4 and CCL3 levels were significantly increased in post-PrEP samples compared to control specimens. CCL4 was significantly correlated with FTC drug levels in plasma. Production of inflammatory chemokines CCL4 and CCL3 in response to short-term PrEP indicates the mobilization of ligands which potentially block virus attachment to CCR5 HIV-1 co-receptor. The significant correlation between CCL4 and FTC levels suggests that CCL4 increase is modulated as an inflammatory response to PrEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Petkov
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carolina Herrera
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Else
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Mugaba
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.,London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia Namubiru
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.,London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Geoffrey Odoch
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.,London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Opoka
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.,London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Azure-Dee A P Pillay
- University of the Witwatersrand Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Thabiso B Seiphetlo
- University of the Witwatersrand Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jennifer Serwanga
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.,London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew S Ssemata
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.,London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pontiano Kaleebu
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.,London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily L Webb
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Saye Khoo
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Limakatso Lebina
- University of the Witwatersrand Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Clive M Gray
- Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Biomedical Research Institute, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Neil Martinson
- University of the Witwatersrand Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Julie Fox
- Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Chiodi
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Nakiboneka R, Mugaba S, Auma BO, Kintu C, Lindan C, Nanteza MB, Kaleebu P, Serwanga J. Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) negative CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells can produce immune mediators in response to viral antigens. Vaccine 2019; 37:113-122. [PMID: 30459072 PMCID: PMC6290111 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Evaluation of antigen-specific T-cell responses to viral antigens is frequently performed on IFN-γ secreting cells. However, T-cells are capable of producing many more functions than just IFN-γ, some of which, like Perforin, are associated with immune protection in HIV-1 disease elite controllers. We evaluated the extent of missed T-cell functions when IFN-γ secretion is used as a surrogate marker for further evaluation of T-cell functions. Intracellular cytokine staining assay and flow cytometry were used to assess peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 31 HIV-infected ART-naive individuals for the extent to which gated CD4+ and CD8+ IFN-γ producing and non-producing T-cells also secreted IL-2, Perforin, and TNF-α functions. Similarly, the extent of missed virus-specific responses in IFN-γ ELISpot assay negative T-cells from 5 HIV-1 uninfected individuals was evaluated. Cells from HIV-infected individuals were stimulated with pooled consensus group M (Con M) peptides; and those from healthy individuals were stimulated with pooled adenovirus (Ad) peptides. Overall, frequencies of virus-specific IFN-γ secreting CD4+ and CD8+ cells were low. Proportions of IFN-γ negative CD4+ expressing IL-2, Perforin, or TNF-α to Con M were significantly higher (5 of 7 functional profiles) than the corresponding IFN-γ positive CD4+ (0 of 7) T-cell phenotype, p = 0.02; Fisher's Exact test. Likewise, proportions of CD8+ T-cells expressing other functions were significantly higher in 4 of the 7 IFN-γ negative CD8+ T-cells. Notably, newly stimulated Perforin, identified as Perforin co-expression with IL-2 or TNF-α, was significantly higher in IFN-γ negative CD8+ T-cell than in the positive CD8+ T-cells. Using SEB, lower responses in IFN-γ positive cells were most associated with CD4+ than CD8+ T-cells. These findings suggest that studies evaluating immunogenicity in response to HIV and Adenovirus viral antigens should not only evaluate T-cell responsiveness among IFN-γ producing cells but also among those T-cells that do not express IFN-γ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritah Nakiboneka
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit), Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Susan Mugaba
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit), Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Betty O. Auma
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit), Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Christopher Kintu
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit), Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Christina Lindan
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, and Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), United States
| | - Mary Bridget Nanteza
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit), Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Pontiano Kaleebu
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit), Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Jennifer Serwanga
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Uganda Research Unit (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit), Entebbe, Uganda.
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Serwanga J, Nakiboneka R, Mugaba S, Magambo B, Ndembi N, Gotch F, Kaleebu P. Frequencies of Gag-restricted T-cell escape "footprints" differ across HIV-1 clades A1 and D chronically infected Ugandans irrespective of host HLA B alleles. Vaccine 2015; 33:1664-72. [PMID: 25728323 PMCID: PMC4374673 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Revised: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
A and D infected subjects even though they bear the same presenting HLA alleles, and live in the same environment. Escape mutations that are known to confer survival advantage were more frequent in clade A-infected subjects irrespective of host HLA alleles. There was no evidence to link this difference in outcome to the evaluated adaptive T-Cell responses (IFN-γ responses and polyfunctional responses) to those key structurally constrained Gag epitopes. However, we have demonstrated that there was significantly greater selective pressure on the Gag protein of clade A than that of clade D. The data are in line with the known faster disease progression in clade D than clade A infected individuals. The data also highlight that the current difficulties in formulating a global HIV vaccine design will be further challenged by clade associated differences in outcome.
Objective(s) We evaluated relationships between critical Gag T-cell escape mutations and concomitant T-cell responses to determine whether HLA-restricted Gag mutations that confer protection, occur at similar rates in a population infected with mixed HIV-1 clades A1 and D viruses. Methods Assessment of Gag selective pressure, and adaptive T-cell functions to KAFSPEVIPMF (KF11), ISPRTLNAW (ISW9) and TSTLQEQIGW (TW10) Gag epitopes were combined with host HLA to assess correlations with rates of critical epitope escape mutations in clades A1- (n = 23) and D- (n = 21) infected, untreated subjects. Infecting clades and selection pressure were determined from the gag sequences. Results Overall, Gag escape mutations A163X in KF11 were detected in 61% (14/23) A1- infected compared to 5% (1/21) in D-infected subjects (p = 0.00015). Gag mutations I147X in the ISW9 epitope were seen in 43%: (10/23) clade A compared to 5%: (1/21) clade D infected subjects, p = 0.007, Fisher's Exact test. Both mutations were more frequent in clade A1 infection. Frequencies of the measured epitope-specific T-cell responses were comparable across clades. Peptide binding affinities for the restricting HLA alleles did not differ across clades. Overall, selection pressure on the Gag protein was significantly greater in clade A than in clade D sequences. Conclusions These findings imply that HIV-1 vaccine strategies designed to target structurally constrained T-cell epitopes may be further challenged by clade-driven outcomes in specific HLA-restricted Gag epitopes. Equally, the data are line with slower HIV-1 disease progression in clade A infection; and raise hope that increased selective pressure on Gag may be protective irrespective of host HLA alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Susan Mugaba
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Brian Magambo
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | - Frances Gotch
- Department of Immunology, Imperial College, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pontiano Kaleebu
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Entebbe, Uganda; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
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Mugaba S, Nakiboneka R, Nanyonjo M, Bugembe-Lule D, Kaddu I, Nanteza B, Tweyongyere R, Kaleebu P, Serwanga J. Group M consensus Gag and Nef peptides are as efficient at detecting clade A1 and D cross-subtype T-cell functions as subtype-specific consensus peptides. Vaccine 2014; 32:3787-95. [PMID: 24837770 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Revised: 04/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Evaluating HIV-1 specific T-cell response in African populations is sometimes compromised by extensive virus diversity and paucity of non-clade B reagents. We evaluated whether consensus group M (ConM) peptides could serve as comparable substitutes for detecting immune responses in clade A and clade D HIV-1 infection. METHODS Frequencies, breadths and polyfunctionality (≥ 3 functions: IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α and Perforin) of HIV-specific responses utilizing ConM, ConA and ConD Gag and Nef peptides was compared. RESULTS Median genetic distances of infecting gag sequences from consensus group M were (8.9%, IQR 8.2-9.7 and 9%, IQR 3.3-10) for consensus A and D, respectively. Of 24 subjects infected with A and D clade virus, Gag responses were detected in comparable proportions of subjects when using ConM peptides 22/24, ConA peptides 17/24, and ConD peptides 21/24; p=0.12. Nef responses were also detected at similar proportions of subjects when using ConM peptides 15/23, ConA peptides 19/23, and ConD peptides 16/23, p=0.39. Virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell polyfunctionality were also detected in similar proportions of infected individuals when using different peptide sets. CONCLUSIONS These data support the use of consensus group M overlapping peptide sets as reagents for detecting HIV-specific responses in a clade A and D infected population, but underscore the limitations of utilizing these reagents when evaluating the breadth of virus-specific responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mugaba
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - R Nakiboneka
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - M Nanyonjo
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | - I Kaddu
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - B Nanteza
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - R Tweyongyere
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - P Kaleebu
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Entebbe, Uganda; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - J Serwanga
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Entebbe, Uganda.
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Serwanga J, Mugaba S, Pimego E, Nanteza B, Lyagoba F, Nakubulwa S, Heath L, Nsubuga RN, Ndembi N, Gotch F, Kaleebu P. Profile of T cell recognition of HIV type 1 consensus group M Gag and Nef peptides in a clade A1- and D-infected Ugandan population. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2012; 28:384-92. [PMID: 21867408 PMCID: PMC3316116 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2011.0175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Reagents for evaluating non-clade B HIV-specific T cell responses are uncommon. Peptides based on highly conserved HIV-1 consensus group M sequences that are phylogenetically closer to most circulating strains may provide potential alternative reagents in populations with diverse infections, and may be relevant for vaccine design. Recognition of such reagents in clade A1-and D-infected populations has not been previously evaluated. Interferon (IFN)-γ ELISpot assay was used to evaluate T cell recognition of Gag and Nef peptides based on consensus group M sequences in 50 treatment-naive adults predominantly infected with HIV-1 clades A1 and D. Gag-induced T cell responses were correlated with gag sequence diversity. Infecting clades were determined from gag sequences for 45 of the 50 subjects as 40% clade A1 (18/45), 45% clade D (20/45), 2% clade C (1/45), 2% A1/C recombinant (1/45), 2% A1/D (1/45), 7% CRF10_CD (3/45), and 2% U (unclassifiable) (1/45). The mean genetic divergence and diversity of clade A and D gag region compared to group M consensus sequences at synonymous and nonsynonymous nucleotide and amino acid levels were not always significant. Gag peptides were targeted at significantly higher frequency [88% (44/50)] than Nef [64% (32/50)]; p=0.014, although their mean IFN-γ magnitudes were comparable ([3703 (95% CI 2567-4839)] vs. [2120 (95% CI 478-3762)]), respectively. Measurable virus-induced IFN-γ responses were detected in 96% (48/50) individuals, primarily targeting the more conserved Gag p24 and Nef central core regions. Use of these reagents to screen for HIV-specific IFN-γ responses may mitigate the challenge of viral diversity; although this targeting is apparently biased toward a few highly conserved epitopes.
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Wright E, Mugaba S, Grant P, Parkes-Ratanshi R, Van der Paal L, Grosskurth H, Kaleebu P. Coreceptor and cytokine concentrations may not explain differences in disease progression observed in HIV-1 clade A and D infected Ugandans. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19902. [PMID: 21655330 PMCID: PMC3104992 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2010] [Accepted: 04/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The use of cellular coreceptors and modulation of cytokine concentrations by HIV to establish a productive infection is well documented. However, it is unknown whether the expression of these proteins affects the course of HIV clade A and D disease, reported to have different progression rates. Methodology/Principal Findings We investigated whether the number of CD4+ T-cells expressing CCR5 or CXCR4, the density of these coreceptors and concentrations of specific immune proteins linked to HIV pathogenesis vary between individuals infected with HIV clade A or D. We undertook additional analyses stratifying participants by early (CD4>500 cells/µl) or late (CD4<200 cells/µl) disease stage. Whole blood samples were taken from 50 HIV-1 infected individuals drawn from cohorts in rural south-west Uganda. Late stage participants had less than half the number of CD4+/CCR5+ T-cells (p = 0.0113) and 5.6 times fewer CD4+/CXCR4+ cells (p<0.0001) than early stage participants. There was also a statistically significant difference in the density of CXCR4 on CD4+ cells between clade A and D infected early stage participants (142 [A] vs 84 [D]; p = 0.0146). Across all participants we observed significantly higher concentration of Th1 cytokines compared to Th2 (66.4 vs 23.8 pg/ml; p<0.0001). Plasma concentrations of IFNγ and IL-2 were 1.8 and 2.4 fold lower respectively in Late-D infected participants compared to Late-A participants. MIP-1β levels also decreased from 118.0 pg/ml to 47.1 pg/ml (p = 0.0396) as HIV disease progressed. Conclusions/Significance We observed specific alterations in the abundance of CD4+/CCR5+ and CD4+/CXCR4+ T-cells, and concentrations of immune proteins across different HIV clades and as infection progresses. Our results suggest that these changes are unlikely to explain the observed differences in disease progression between subtype A and D infections. However, our observations further the understanding of the natural progression of non-clade B HIV infection and how the virus adapts to exploit the host environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Wright
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda.
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Serwanga J, Mugaba S, Betty A, Pimego E, Walker S, Munderi P, Gilks C, Gotch F, Grosskurth H, Kaleebu P. CD8 T-Cell Responses before and after Structured Treatment Interruption in Ugandan Adults Who Initiated ART with CD4 T Cells <200 Cell/μL: The DART Trial STI Substudy. AIDS Res Treat 2011; 2011:875028. [PMID: 21490785 PMCID: PMC3065901 DOI: 10.1155/2011/875028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2010] [Accepted: 12/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective. To better understand attributes of ART-associated HIV-induced T-cell responses that might be therapeutically harnessed. Methods. CD8(+) T-cell responses were evaluated in some HIV-1 chronically infected participants of the fixed duration STI substudy of the DART trial. Magnitudes, breadths, and functionality of IFN-γ and Perforin responses were compared in STI (n = 42) and continuous treatment (CT) (n = 46) before and after a single STI cycle when the DART STI trial was stopped early due to inferior clinical outcome in STI participants. Results. STI and CT had comparable magnitudes and breadths of monofunctional CD8(+)IFNγ(+) and CD8(+)Perforin(+) responses. However, STI was associated with significant decline in breadth of bi-functional (CD8(+)IFNγ(+)Perforin(+)) responses; P = .02, Mann-Whitney test. Conclusions. STI in individuals initiated onto ART at <200 CD4(+) T-cell counts/μl significantly reduced occurrence of bifunctional CD8(+)IFNγ(+)/Perforin(+) responses. These data add to others that found no evidence to support STI as a strategy to improve HIV-specific immunity during ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Serwanga
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Susan Mugaba
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Auma Betty
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Edward Pimego
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Sarah Walker
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit, 222 Euston Road, London NW1 2DA, UK
| | - Paula Munderi
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Charles Gilks
- Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Frances Gotch
- Department of Immunology, Imperial College, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London SW10 9NH, UK
| | - Heiner Grosskurth
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of London, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Pontiano Kaleebu
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, Entebbe, Uganda
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Serwanga JJ, Mugaba S, Pimego EE, Lyagoba FF, Nanteza BB, Katongole EM, Ndembi NN, Kaleebu PP. P16-03. Persistence of robust cross-reactive group M consensus T-cell responses in a chronic HIV-1 clade A1 and D-infected Ugandan population. Retrovirology 2009. [PMCID: PMC2767729 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-6-s3-p232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Serwanga J, Ndembi N, Nanteza B, Mugaba S, Pimego E, Pala P, Auma B, Lyagoba F, Kaleebu P. P20-10. Differences in patterns of Gag-induced immunogenetic pressure occur between clades A and D chronic HIV-1 infection in a Ugandan population. Retrovirology 2009. [PMCID: PMC2767893 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-6-s3-p380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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