Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bukola Adeoye, Lydia Nakiyingi, Yvetane Moreau, Ethel Nankya, Alex J. Olson, Mo Zhang, Karen R. Jacobson, Amita Gupta, Yukari C. Manabe, Mina C. Hosseinipour, Johnstone Kumwenda, Manish Sagar
Summary: HIV infection is commonly seen in individuals infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Inflammation caused by Mtb disease could affect immune responses to HIV in these individuals. Our research reveals that HIV antibodies are broader and more potent in individuals with co-existing Mtb disease compared to those without. We speculate that the co-localization of Mtb and HIV in lymphatic tissues leads to the emergence of these potent HIV antibodies.
Article
Immunology
Michael Quinn, Luis Parra-Rodriguez, Wafaa B. Alsoussi, Chapelle Ayres, Michael K. Klebert, Chang Liu, Teresa Suessen, Suzanne M. Scheaffer, William D. Middleton, Sharlene A. Teefey, William G. Powderly, Michael S. Diamond, Rachel M. Presti, Ali H. Ellebedy, Jackson S. Turner, Jane A. O'Halloran, Philip A. Mudd
Summary: COVID-19 has a greater impact on people with HIV in areas with limited access to vaccines. HIV patients show impaired immune responses to some vaccines, possibly due to abnormal lymph node structure.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Cheleka A. M. Mpande, Virginie Rozot, Boitumelo Mosito, Munyaradzi Musvosvi, One B. Dintwe, Nicole Bilek, Mark Hatherill, Thomas J. Scriba, Elisa Nemes
Summary: Recent M.tb infection is associated with highly activated and moderately differentiated functional M.tb-specific T cell subsets, which can be used as biomarkers to distinguish recent from remote infection. This study provides new insights into the immunobiology of M.tb infection and potential diagnostic tools.
Article
Immunology
Aparajita Saha, Jaclyn Escudero, Troy Layouni, Barbra Richardson, Sharon Hou, Nelly Mugo, Andrew Mujugira, Connie Celum, Jared M. Baeten, Jairam Lingappa, Grace C. John-Stewart, Sylvia M. LaCourse, Javeed A. Shah
Summary: This study found that immune activation changes during pregnancy and postpartum may contribute to increased risk for tuberculosis progression. Specifically, pregnant women with latent tuberculosis infection showed diminished M. tuberculosis-specific CD4(+) cytokine responses in the third trimester, while M. tuberculosis-specific CD8(+) cytokines and nonspecifically activated T-cells increased during late pregnancy.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Hui Zhang, Shuang Cao, Yang Gao, Xiao Sun, Fanming Jiang, Bin Zhao, Haibo Ding, Tao Dong, Xiaoxu Han, Hong Shang
Summary: In this study, the recombination structure and T-cell responses of HIV-1 in patient LNA819 were analyzed. The results showed continuous evolution of recombinants and identified immunodominant epitopes. Immune escape mechanisms were also revealed.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Ahmed Esmael, Tamrat Abebe, Adane Mihret, Daniel Mussa, Sebsib Neway, Joel Ernst, Jyothi Rengarajan, Liya Wassie, Rawleigh Howe
Summary: This study investigated the discriminatory role of polychromatic flow cytometry of M. tuberculosis antigen-specific T cells in distinguishing smear-negative TB from health controls and non-TB respiratory illnesses. The results showed that PPD-specific T cells expressing activation/proliferation markers and cytokines were significantly higher in patients with smear-positive and smear-negative pulmonary TB compared to healthy controls and patients with non-TB illness.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
You-Yuan Wang, Cheng Zhen, Wei Hu, Hui-Huang Huang, Yan-Jun Li, Ming-Ju Zhou, Jing Li, Yu-Long Fu, Peng Zhang, Xiao-Yu Li, Tao Yang, Jin-Wen Song, Xing Fan, Jun Zou, Si-Run Meng, Ya-Qin Qin, Yan-Mei Jiao, Ruonan Xu, Ji-Yuan Zhang, Chun-Bao Zhou, Jin-Hong Yuan, Lei Huang, Ming Shi, Liang Cheng, Fu-Sheng Wang, Chao Zhang
Summary: Plasma glutamate levels are increased in PLWH and negatively correlate with the anti-HIV function of CD8+ T cells. Metabolic modeling shows that glutamate metabolism is robust in TVM cells. Glutamate inhibits TVM cell function via the mTORC1 pathway. There is an association between metabolic plasticity and CD8+ T cell-mediated HIV control.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ying Luo, Ying Xue, Yimin Cai, Qun Lin, Guoxing Tang, Huijuan Song, Wei Liu, Liyan Mao, Xu Yuan, Yu Zhou, Weiyong Liu, Shiji Wu, Ziyong Sun, Feng Wang
Summary: Inadequate tuberculosis diagnostics, especially in discriminating between active TB and latent TB infection, are major obstacles in disease burden reduction. The study investigated the role of lymphocyte non-specific function detection for TB diagnosis. Results show that CD4(+) T cell non-specific function has the potential for differentiating T-SPOT results, and the three-index diagnostic model is a potent tool for identifying different events in TB infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Nicole L. Grant, Kristen Kelly, Pauline Maiello, Helena Abbott, Shelby O'Connor, Philana Ling Lin, Charles A. Scanga, JoAnne L. Flynn
Summary: Despite research focus on CD4 T cells in Mtb infections, little is known about Mtb-specific T cells within lung granulomas. We identified immunodominant epitopes for two Mtb proteins using a macaque model, facilitating the identification of Mtb-specific cells. Granulomas were found to be enriched sites for Mtb-specific cells, which expressed activation markers and transcription factors. Our data highlighted the importance of activated, polarized Mtb-specific cells for controlling Mtb in lung granulomas.
Article
Immunology
Alessandra Noto, Madeleine Suffiotti, Victor Joo, Antonio Mancarella, Francesco A. A. Procopio, Guy Cavet, Yvonne Leung, Jean-Marc Corpataux, Matthias Cavassini, Agostino Riva, Leonidas Stamatatos, Raphael Gottardo, Adrian B. B. McDermott, Richard A. A. Koup, Craig Fenwick, Matthieu Perreau, Giuseppe Pantaleo
Summary: The imbalance between Th2 and Th1-like Tfh cells affects B cell responses in viremic HIV infection. The decrease in Th2-like Tfh cells is related to the decrease in HIV-specific B cells, while the increase in Th1-like Tfh cells is associated with the increase in T-bet and CXCR3 expressing HIV-specific B cells. IL-4 and IL-21 cytokines promote efficient maturation of HIV-specific B cells, while IFN-gamma induces the expression of T-bet and CXCR3 in B cells. CXCR3(+) B cells have a lower rate of somatic hypermutation compared to CXCR3(-) B cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jerome Kervevan, Aurelie Bouteau, Juliane S. Lanza, Adele Hammoudi, Sandra Zurawski, Mathieu Surenaud, Lydie Dieudonne, Marion Bonnet, Cecile Lefebvre, Hakim Hocini, Romain Marlin, Aurelie Guguin, Barbara Hersant, Oana Hermeziu, Elisabeth Menu, Christine Lacabaratz, Jean-Daniel Lelievre, Gerard Zurawski, Veronique Godot, Sandrine Henri, Botond Z. Igyarto, Yves Levy, Sylvain Cardinaud
Summary: Targeting of skin Langerhans cells (LC) may efficiently induce potent anti-HIV immune responses, serving as a promising strategy for developing effective HIV-1 vaccines. This approach demonstrates the potential of directing immune responses through specific cell targeting and may lead to the induction of protective antibodies against HIV-1.
Article
Immunology
Cheleka A. M. Mpande, Pia Steigler, Tessa Lloyd, Virginie Rozot, Boitumelo Mosito, Constance Schreuder, Timothy D. Reid, Nicole Bilek, Morten Ruhwald, Jason R. Andrews, Mark Hatherill, Francesca Little, Thomas J. Scriba, Elisa Nemes
Summary: This study investigated the association between QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT) reversion and decline of M.tb-specific functional T cell responses. The findings suggest that individuals with QFT reversion exhibit lower M.tb-specific T cell responses, potentially due to assay variability or well-controlled M.tb infection in some cases.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Wilbert Mbuya, Kathrin Held, Ruby D. Mcharo, Antelmo Haule, Jacklina Mhizde, Jonathan Mnkai, Anifrid Mahenge, Maria Mwakatima, Margareth Sembo, Wolfram Mwalongo, Peter Agrea, Michael Hoelscher, Leonard Maboko, Elmar Saathoff, Otto Geisenberger, France Rwegoshora, Liset Torres, Richard A. Koup, Arne Kroidl, Mkunde Chachage, Christof Geldmacher
Summary: The study observed that HPV oncoprotein-specific T-cell responses were reduced in women with HIV infection, precancerous lesions, and low CD4 T-cell counts. This depletion of T-cell responses may contribute to the increased risk of HPV persistence and cancerogenesis in women living with HIV. Furthermore, HPV16 infections may have exceptional potential for cancerogenesis due to their low inherent immunogenicity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Samantha Donnellan, Shaun H. Pennington, Alessandra Ruggiero, Carmen Martinez-Rodriguez, Marion Pouget, Jordan Thomas, Steve A. Ward, Georgios Pollakis, Giancarlo A. Biagini, William A. Paxton
Summary: The coinfection of tuberculosis and HIV is a major global health concern. This study used fluorescent labeled viral particles and bacteria to investigate the pathogenesis and treatment of coinfection. It was found that HIV infection inhibited the replication of tuberculosis, and antiviral and antimicrobial treatments showed therapeutic efficacy. This method can be used for mechanistic studies to develop novel treatment strategies.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Fregenet Tesfaye, Erik Sturegard, John Walles, Bayissa Bekele, Kidist Bobosha, Per Bjorkman, Marianne Jansson
Summary: This study investigates the immune responses and dynamics of tuberculosis (TB) infection in pregnant women. The study found changes in Mtb-specific and nonspecific immune responses during pregnancy, particularly in later stages, but none of the women developed active TB. This suggests that incipient TB occurs during pregnancy but is counteracted by Mtb-specific immune responses.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Erica Sanga, Zahara Nampewo, George PrayGod, Alison Wringe
Summary: HIV status disclosure rates to sexual partners are low in Tanzania. This qualitative study found that the decision to disclose HIV status is based on weighing the perceived benefits and risks. Benefits of disclosure include freedom from guilt and living honestly, while risks include stigma, family break-up, and abandonment. Many participants reported that disclosure has helped them adhere to treatment and clinic appointments.
AIDS CARE-PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-MEDICAL ASPECTS OF AIDS/HIV
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Nyanda Elias Ntinginya, Abhishek Bakuli, Daniel Mapamba, Wilber Sabiiti, Gibson Kibiki, Lilian Tina Minja, Davis Kuchaka, Klaus Reither, Patrick Peter John Phillips, Martin Johan Boeree, Stephen H. Gillespie, Michael Hoelscher, Norbert Heinrich
Summary: Bacterial killing in patients with tuberculosis relapse differs significantly from that in patients achieving cure, as evidenced by TB-MBLA and MGIT TTP measurements.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Anna -Maria Mekota, Stephen H. Gillespie, Michael Hoelscher, Andreas H. Diacon, Rodney Dawson, Gavin Churchyard, Ian Sanne, Lilian Minja, Gibson Kibiki, Leonard Maboko, Shabir Lakhi, Moses Joloba, Abraham Alabi, Bruce Kirenga, Timothy D. McHugh, Martin P. Grobusch, Martin J. Boeree
Summary: PanACEA aims to build tuberculosis trial capacity and streamline TB treatment through clinical trials on novel and existing agents. A capacity development program was launched to strengthen collaborating TB research sites, focusing on networking, training, clinical trials, and infrastructure scaling-up. The program scaled-up six sites, conducted training programs and funded educational opportunities, conducted epidemiological studies, and formed a sustainable platform for TB research.
Article
Virology
Clara Duran-Castells, Anuska Llano, Ai Kawana-Tachikawa, Anna Prats, Ignacio Martinez-Zalacain, Mie Kobayashi-Ishihara, Bruna Oriol-Tordera, Ruth Pena, Cristina Galvez, Sandra Silva-Arrieta, Bonaventura Clotet, Eva Riveira-Munoz, Esther Ballana, Julia. G. Prado, Javier Martinez-Picado, Jorge Sanchez, Beatriz Mothe, Dennis Hartigan-O'Connor, Tony Wyss-Coray, Andreas Meyerhans, Magnus Gisslen, Richard. W. Price, Carles Soriano-Mas, Jose Antonio Munoz-Moreno, Christian Brander, Marta Ruiz-Riol
Summary: High levels of SIRT2 are associated with uncontrolled HIV infection, plasma viral load, and proviral levels. SIRT2 levels are also linked to markers of neurological damage and brain involution, especially in individuals who initiate cART later. Inhibition of SIRT2 could potentially be a therapeutic target for HIV infections and their associated neurological dysfunction.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Igor Sazonov, Dmitry Grebennikov, Rostislav Savinkov, Arina Soboleva, Kirill Pavlishin, Andreas Meyerhans, Gennady Bocharov
Summary: A mathematical model of HIV-1 life cycle in CD4 T cells was developed, which accounts for the activation of IFN-I response and its suppression of viral replication. The model includes inhibition of viral replication by IFN-induced antiviral factors and their inactivation by viral proteins Vpu and Vif. Both deterministic and stochastic models were constructed to predict the efficiency of IFN-I-induced suppression in different initial conditions, and the heterogeneity of HIV-1 and IFN-I production was characterized statistically.
Article
Immunology
Augusta Horvath, Lisa Rogers, Georgios Pollakis, Olga Baranov, Nora Pieroth, Sarah Joseph, Mkunde Chachage, Asli Heitzer, Lucas Maganga, Frank Msafiri, Agricola Joachim, Edna Viegas, Leigh-Anne Eller, Hannah Kibuuka, Supachai Rerks-Ngarm, Punnee Pitisuttithum, Sorachai Nitayapan, Jittima Dhitavat, Nakorn Premsri, Sarah Fidler, Robin J. J. Shattock, Merlin Lee Robb, Jonathan Weber, Sheena McCormack, Patricia Jane Munseri, Eligius Lyamuya, Charlotta Nilsson, Arne Kroidl, Michael Hoelscher, Ralf Wagner, Christof Geldmacher, Kathrin Held
Summary: Immunogens and vaccination regimens can impact the recognition of immune-epitopes, with the potential to steer responses towards or away from vulnerable viral epitopes. This study examined HIV vaccine trials and found that the induction of V3-specific antibodies did not inhibit the targeting of other linear epitopes. Strong V3 targeting was associated with a stronger overall immune response and recognition of more antigenic regions, while V2 targeting was specific to certain immunogens. These findings suggest that the induction of antibodies against V3 and other vulnerable regions may not be mutually exclusive.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Zvi Grossman, Andreas Meyerhans, Gennady Bocharov
Summary: The systemic bio-organization of humans and other mammals is preprogrammed, but cells can acquire new properties and functions through tuning, re-networking, chromatin remodeling, and adaptive differentiation. Cellular sensory and response properties are shaped by temporal patterns of the signaling environment, comparable to associative brain learning. Efforts to therapeutically enhance the immune system and tissue responses can take advantage of existing integrative modeling approaches.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Brenda Kitilya, Erica Sanga, George PrayGod, Bazil Baltazar Kavishe, Kia Ditlevsen, Robert Peck, Mette Frahm Olsen
Summary: This study investigated the perceptions and barriers to physical activity among PLWH in Tanzania. The findings showed that most PLWH considered physical activity beneficial to their health, but their perceptions were influenced by gender stereotypes and roles in the community. Lack of time, money, facilities, social support, and inadequate information from healthcare providers were identified as barriers to physical activity.
Article
Cell Biology
Eva Domenjo-Vila, Valentina Casella, Ryutaro Iwabuchi, Even Fossum, Mireia Pedragosa, Quim Castellvi, Paula Cebollada Rica, Tsuneyasu Kaisho, Kazutaka Terahara, Gennady Bocharov, Jordi Argilaguet, Andreas Meyerhans
Summary: The contribution of XCR1+ dendritic cells (DCs) and SIRPa+ DCs in maintaining T cell function during exhaustion and immunotherapeutic interventions of chronic infections is poorly understood. In a mouse model of chronic LCMV infection, XCR1+ DCs were found to be more resistant to infection and highly activated compared to SIRPa+ DCs. Exploiting XCR1+ DCs through expansion or vaccination improved CD8+ T cell functionality and virus control. PD-L1 blockade was found to be more effective when combined with increased frequency of XCR1+ DCs, enhancing the functionality of exhausted CD8+ T cell subsets.
Article
Microbiology
Abu Abudu Rahamani, Sacha Horn, Manuel Ritter, Anja Feichtner, Jubin Osei-Mensah, Vera Serwaa Opoku, Linda Batsa Debrah, Thomas F. Marandu, Antelmo Haule, Jacklina Mhidze, Abdallah Ngenya, Max Demetrius, Ute Klarmann-Schulz, Michael Hoelscher, Christof Geldmacher, Achim Hoerauf, Akili Kalinga, Alexander Y. Debrah, Inge Kroidl
Summary: Chronic lymphedema caused by Wuchereria bancrofti infection is a disfiguring disease that negatively affects the physical and mental well-being of individuals. In this study, the researchers investigated the immune cell activation and exhaustion patterns in lymphedema patients from Ghana and Tanzania. The findings revealed distinct T cell phenotypes and activation markers associated with different stages of lymphedema, as well as differences in immunological findings between West and East African countries.
Article
Microbiology
Nadia Sitoe, Imelda Chelene, Sofia Ligeiro, Celso Castiano, Mohamed I. M. Ahmed, Kathrin Held, Pedroso Nhassengo, Celso Khosa, Raquel Matavele-Chissumba, Michael Hoelscher, Andrea Rachow, Christof Geldmacher
Summary: The mycobacteriological analysis of sputum samples is the gold standard for tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment monitoring. We investigated the dynamics of neutrophil-derived soluble inflammatory mediators during TB treatment in relation to HIV ART status and the severity of lung impairment. Plasma levels of MMP-1, MMP-8, MPO and S100A8 markedly decreased over the course of TB treatment and remained at similar levels thereafter, suggesting their potential as surrogate markers for TB treatment outcome and HIV-infection influenced MMP-8 and S100A8 levels.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mohamed I. M. Ahmed, Michael Plank, Noemi Castelletti, Paulina M. Diepers, Tabea Eser, Raquel Rubio-Acero, Ivan Norena, Christina Reinkemeyer, Dorinja Zapf, Michael Hoelscher, Christian Janke, Andreas Wieser, Christof Geldmacher
Summary: This study examined the impact of Spike protein mutations in the Omicron variant on the Quan-T-Cell SARS-CoV-2 assays and the Roche Elecsys anti-SARS-CoV-2 anti-S1 serological test. The results suggest that the Omicron variant may affect the accuracy of antibody detection in the serological test.
Article
Immunology
Anna Maria Azzini, Lorenzo Maria Canziani, Ruth Joanna Davis, Massimo Mirandola, Michael Hoelscher, Laurence Meyer, Cedric Laouenan, Maddalena Giannella, Jesus Rodriguez-Bano, Paolo Boffetta, Dana Mates, Surbhi Malhotra-Kumar, Gabriella Scipione, Caroline Stellmach, Eugenia Rinaldi, Jan Hasenauer, Evelina Tacconelli
Summary: The ORCHESTRA project, funded by the EU, aims to advance knowledge on preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection and managing COVID-19 through a collaborative approach. The early results highlight the strengths of international cohort studies and provide valuable insights into vaccination strategies for hematologic cancer patients, solid organ transplant recipients, and the protective effects of vaccination on severe COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 conditions. This data can support the development of effective public health vaccination policies.
Article
Mathematics
Julia Sergeeva, Dmitry Grebennikov, Valentina Casella, Paula Cebollada Rica, Andreas Meyerhans, Gennady Bocharov
Summary: This study developed a mathematical model to predict the replication process of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) in infected cells and studied the sensitivity of virus growth. The stochastic formulation of the model allows for quantification of variability in viral production and identifies potential targets for antiviral therapies.
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Stefanie Fuderer, Christina Kuttler, Michael Hoelscher, Ludwig Christian Hinske, Noemi Castelletti
Summary: COVID-19 has been spreading widely since January 2020, leading to the implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions and vaccinations. A study conducted in Munich analyzed four waves of the epidemic using a mathematical model that incorporated both interventions and vaccinations. The findings highlighted the importance of key parameters such as contact reduction and increasing vaccinations in controlling the spread of the virus. The inclusion of hospitalization data from the beginning was crucial to avoid miscommunication with the public.
MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING
(2023)