Editorial Material
Oncology
Winnie Yao, Ansuman T. Satpathy
Summary: Transient depletion of CD4(+) T cells in patients with gastrointestinal cancer induces remodeling of the T-cell repertoire, including clonal replacement and expansion of CD8(+) T-cell clones shared between the blood and tumor, deepening our understanding of tumor-specific CD8(+) T-cell responses.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Stefan Petkov, Francesca Chiodi
Summary: This study compared the transcriptomes of CD4+ T naive (TN) and central memory (TCM) cells between HIV-1 infected patients receiving early antiretroviral therapy (EA) and controls. The results showed that there is a high degree of transcriptional complexity during the transition from CD4+ T-N to T-CM cells in controls, while in EA patients, the modulation of transcription factors is reduced, resulting in impaired T cell differentiation.
Article
Immunology
Lisa Ciacchi, Martijn D. B. van de Garde, Kristin Ladell, Carine Farenc, Martien C. M. Poelen, Kelly L. Miners, Carmen Llerena, Hugh H. Reid, Jan Petersen, David A. Price, Jamie Rossjohn, Cecile A. C. M. van Els
Summary: A new research found that the immune responses against Streptococcus pneumoniae are mediated by CD4+ T cells. The study identified an immunodominant CD4+ T cell epitope from pneumolysin, which can be presented by different HLA allotypes and recognized by diverse TCRs. The immunogenicity of this epitope is determined by core residues in a conserved undecapeptide region, enabling cross-recognition of heterologous bacterial pathogens. These findings provide insights into the immune response against bacterial infections and can inform strategies to combat life-threatening infectious diseases.
Article
Immunology
Giuseppe Ercoli, Elisa Ramos-Sevillano, Rie Nakajima, Rafael Ramiro de Assis, Algis Jasinskas, David Goldblatt, Philip Felgner, Gisbert Weckbecker, Jeremy Brown
Summary: Although B cell depletion significantly impairs antibody recognition of S. pneumoniae in colonized mice, some protective immunity is still maintained, perhaps mediated by cellular immunity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Hang Liu, Jin-Biao Liu, Feng-Zhen Meng, Xi-Qiu Xu, Yong Wang, Qiao-Yang Xian, Run-Hong Zhou, Qian-Hao Xiao, Zhi-Xiang Huang, Li Zhou, Jie-Liang Li, Xiang-Dong Li, Xu Wang, Wen-Zhe Ho, Ke Zhuang
Summary: An experiment on monkeys showed that antibody-mediated acute CD4(+) T cell depletion had minimal impact on plasma viral load and disease progression in chronically SHIV-infected cynomolgus monkeys, with little change in viral load and almost no effect on the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines associated with disease progression.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Quentin Le Hingrat, Paola Sette, Cuiling Xu, Andrew R. Rahmberg, Lilas Tarnus, Haritha Annapureddy, Adam Kleinman, Egidio Brocca-Cofano, Ranjit Sivanandham, Sindhuja Sivanandham, Tianyu He, Daniel J. Capreri, Dongzhu Ma, Jacob D. Estes, Jason M. Brenchley, Cristian Apetrei, Ivona Pandrea
Summary: CD4(+) T-cell depletion does not determine SIV-related gut dysfunction or disease progression in SIV-infected African Green Monkeys. AGMs depleted of CD4(+) T-cells maintain gut integrity, control immune activation, and do not progress to AIDS. This suggests that disease progression and resistance to AIDS in AGMs are independent of CD4(+) T-cell restoration.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Osaretin E. Asowata, Alveera Singh, Abigail Ngoepe, Nicholas Herbert, Rabiah Fardoos, Kavidha Reddy, Yenzekile Zungu, Faith Nene, Ntombifuthi Mthabela, Dirhona Ramjit, Farina Karim, Katya Govender, Thumbi Ndung'u, J. Zachary Porterfield, John H. Adamson, Fusi G. Madela, Vukani T. Manzini, Frank Anderson, Alasdair Leslie, Henrik N. Kloverpris
Summary: Research conducted on a large cohort recruited from high HIV endemic areas in South Africa revealed that people living with HIV presented at a younger age for GI clinic investigation, with severe CD4(+) T cell depletion in the GI tract, particularly in the colon. Despite full suppression of plasma viremia, HIV-p24 staining showed persistent viral expression, emphasizing the irreversible loss of GI CD4(+) T cells as a key event in HIV pathogenesis in PLWH in South Africa.
Article
Immunology
Ran Guo, Guoyu Zhao, Guangxu Bai, Jianwei Chen, Wen Han, Na Cui, Hao Wang
Summary: In a septic mouse model, aggravated pyroptosis was observed in CD4+ T cells, accompanied by impaired autophagy activity and an overactivated mTOR signaling pathway. Depletion of mTOR relieved autophagy deficiency and reduced the proportion of pyroptotic CD4+ T cells. This indicates that autophagy negatively regulates pyroptosis in CD4+ T cells, which is under the control of the mTOR pathway.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yanyu Zhang, Song Gao, Shifei Yao, Danlin Weng, Yan Wang, Qi Huang, Xuemei Zhang, Hong Wang, Wenchun Xu
Summary: The study found that the SPY1 vaccine increased the expression of IL-27 and its specific receptor (WSX-1), promoting vaccine protection through activation of the STAT3 and NF-κB signaling pathways and production of memory CD4(+)T cells to enhance Th17 cell polarization. Additionally, the immune protection of the vaccine was independent of aerobic glycolysis.
Review
Immunology
Marco Kunzli, David Masopust
Summary: This review provides updates on our understanding of the biology of memory CD4(+) T cells as well as key technological advances that facilitate their characterization.
Article
Immunology
Giuseppe Ercoli, Elisa Ramos-Sevillano, Emma Pearce, Sara Ragab, David Goldblatt, Gisbert Weckbecker, Jeremy S. Brown
Summary: Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy depletes most CD20(+) B cells and increases the risk of respiratory tract infections. However, vaccination still provides some protection against pneumococcal infections.
CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarhad Alnajjar, Panchan Sitthicharoenchai, Jack Gallup, Mark Ackermann, David Verhoeven
Summary: The study found that dual infection with RSV and Spn can lead to increased disease severity, possibly due to lesion development and altered immune responses rather than bacterial counts. This finding helps to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of co-infection of respiratory syncytial virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Review
Immunology
Quentin Le Hingrat, Irini Sereti, Alan L. Landay, Ivona Pandrea, Cristian Apetrei
Summary: CD4(+) T-cell depletion is a key feature of AIDS in both HIV and SIV infections, occurring early and being most significant at mucosal sites. The clinical outcome is associated with mucosal CD4(+) T-cell recovery during chronic infection, while immune activation and inflammation play critical roles in CD4(+) T-cell depletion.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Benjamin D. Varco-Merth, William Brantley, Alejandra Marenco, Derick D. Duell, Devin N. Fachko, Brian Richardson, Kathleen Busman-Sahay, Danica Shao, Walter Flores, Kathleen Engelman, Yoshinori Fukazawa, Scott W. Wong, Rebecca L. Skalsky, Jeremy Smedley, Michael K. Axthelm, Jeffrey D. Lifson, Jacob D. Estes, Paul T. Edlefsen, Louis J. Picker, Cheryl M. A. Cameron, Timothy J. Henrich, Afam A. Okoye
Summary: Inhibiting mTOR can decrease the proliferation of CD4(+)TM cells, but chronic mTOR inhibition alone or in combination with T cell activation is not sufficient to disrupt the stability of the SIV reservoir.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2022)
Article
Emergency Medicine
Shafee Salloum, Wesley Sit, Mollie M. Walton, Kambiz Kamian
Summary: Subgaleal hematoma is a potential complication of birth trauma and head trauma in neonates and young children, with rare cases leading to infection. Early recognition and treatment are crucial in preventing further complications.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Alexander J. Stockdale, James E. Meiring, Isaac T. Shawa, Deus Thindwa, Niza M. Silungwe, Maurice Mbewe, Rabson Kachala, Benno Kreuels, Pratiksha Patel, Priyanka Patel, Marc Y. R. Henrion, Naor Bar-Zeev, Todd D. Swarthout, Robert S. Heyderman, Stephen B. Gordon, Anna Maria Geretti, Melita A. Gordon
Summary: A study conducted in Blantyre, Malawi found that infant HBV vaccination has been highly effective in reducing HBsAg prevalence in adults, but some HBsAg-positive adults have an unmet need for antiviral therapy.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Leonard Mvaya, Trevor Khaba, Agness E. Lakudzala, Thandeka Nkosi, Ndaru Jambo, Innocent Kadwala, Anstead Kankwatira, Priyanka D. Patel, Melita A. Gordon, Tonney S. Nyirenda, Kondwani C. Jambo, Zaza M. Ndhlovu
Summary: The duodenum serves as a major site of HIV persistence during suppressive antiretroviral therapy, with tissue-resident memory (Trm) CD8+ T cells playing a significant role. HIV-specific CD8+ Trm cells in the duodenum are enriched and exhibit high polyfunctionality but lack expression of canonical cytolytic molecules. These findings shed light on the mechanisms of HIV persistence in the duodenum and have implications for cure therapies.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Godfrey Bwire, Alex Riolexus Ario, Patricia Eyu, Felix Ocom, Joseph F. Wamala, Kwadwo A. Kusi, Latif Ndeketa, Kondwani C. Jambo, Rhoda K. Wanyenze, Ambrose O. Talisuna
Summary: This passage introduces the discovery of a new coronavirus and the associated COVID-19 disease in China in December 2019. It explains that scientists initially predicted a severe situation in Africa, but the reality did not match the predictions. Therefore, the purpose of this forum is to bring together experts to discuss the current situation of COVID-19 in Africa, analyze why Africa's situation differs from the predictions, and propose measures to support Africa in overcoming the negative effects of COVID-19 and accelerate the achievement of sustainable development goals.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Marah G. Chibwana, Thandeka Moyo-Gwete, Gaurav Kwatra, Jonathan Mandolo, Tandile Hermanaus, Thopisang Motlou, Nonkululeko Mzindle, Frances Ayres, Mphatso Chaponda, Godwin Tembo, Percy Mwenechanya, Ndaona Mitole, Chisomo Jassi, Raphael Kamng'ona, Louise Afran, David Mzinza, Henry C. Mwandumba, Stephen B. Gordon, Khuzwayo Jere, Shabir Madhi, Penny L. Moore, Robert S. Heyderman, Kondwani C. Jambo
Summary: This study aimed to assess the dynamics of anti-Spike antibodies in an African adult population with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and determine the effect of subsequent COVID-19 vaccination. The findings showed that neutralizing antibodies wane within 6 months post-infection, but a single dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine significantly increased antibody levels. Furthermore, the antibodies generated after vaccination demonstrated broad cross-reactivity against multiple variants and had neutralizing potency.
Article
Immunology
Andrew D. McCallum, Henry E. Pertinez, Aaron P. Chirambo, Irene Sheha, Madalitso Chasweka, Rose Malamba, Doris Shani, Alex Chitani, Jane E. Mallewa, Jamilah Z. Meghji, Jehan F. Ghany, Elizabeth L. Corbett, Stephen B. Gordon, Geraint R. Davies, Saye H. Khoo, Derek J. Sloan, Henry C. Mwandumba
Summary: This study explores the relationship between intrapulmonary drug levels and sputum bacillary clearance in tuberculosis treatment. The results show that higher drug exposure to rifampicin or isoniazid in the epithelial lining fluid is associated with more rapid bacillary elimination. Higher doses of rifampicin and isoniazid may result in sustained high intrapulmonary drug exposure, rapid bacillary clearance, shorter treatment duration, and better treatment outcomes.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rebecca Best, Jullita Mvala, Albert Dube, Cynthia Katundu, Fredrick Kalobekamo, Kevin Mortimer, Stephen B. Gordon, Moffat Nyirenda, Amelia Crampin, Estelle McLean
Summary: This study provides evidence that an improved cookstove intervention in rural Malawi may reduce the number of babies born with low birthweight. This finding is supported by additional subset analysis. The intervention appears to decrease the number of infants born prematurely or with intra-uterine growth restriction, indicating that improved cookstoves could be a beneficial maternal health intervention.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Louise Afran, Kondwani C. Jambo, Wilfred Nedi, David J. C. Miles, Anmol Kiran, Dominic H. Banda, Ralph Kamg'ona, Dumizulu Tembo, Annette Pachnio, Eleni Nastouli, Brigit Ferne, Henry C. Mwandumba, Paul Moss, David Goldblatt, Sarah Rowland-Jones, Adam Finn, Robert S. Heyderman
Summary: The study found that HEU infants have altered monocyte function and B-cell subset homeostasis compared to HU infants, as well as lower vaccine-induced antibody responses to Haemophilus influenzae type b and tetanus toxoid. Additionally, human herpes virus infection rates were similar between HEU and HU infants.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Ryan E. Robinson, Elena Mitsi, Elissavet Nikolaou, Sherin Pojar, Tao Chen, Jesus Reine, Tinashe K. Nyazika, James Court, Kelly Davies, Madlen Farrar, Partricia Gonzalez-Dias, Josh Hamilton, Helen Hill, Lisa Hitchins, Ashleigh Howard, Angela Hyder-Wright, Maia Lesosky, Konstantinos Liatsikos, Agnes Matope, Daniella McLenaghan, Christopher Myerscough, Annabel Murphy, Carla Solorzano, Duolao Wang, Hassan Burhan, Manish Gautam, Elizabeth Begier, Christian Theilacker, Rohini Beavon, Annaliesa S. Anderson, Bradford D. Gessner, Stephen B. Gordon, Andrea M. Collins, Daniela M. Ferreira
Summary: This study evaluated the colonization ability and safety of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3 (SPN3) in the nasopharynx using a human challenge model. The results showed that colonization rates varied with inoculum doses and isolate types, and colonization may cause mild upper respiratory symptoms.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Marianne Koenraads, Todd D. Swarthout, Naor Bar-Zeev, Comfort Brown, Jacquline Msefula, Brigitte Denis, Queen Dube, Stephen B. Gordon, Robert S. Heyderman, Melissa J. Gladstone, Neil French
Summary: This study examined the burden of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in infants <90 days old in Blantyre, Malawi over a 14-year period and evaluated the impact of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) on vaccine-serotype IPD in this population. The results showed that vaccine serotypes 1 and 5 were the main cause of IPD in neonates and young infants, both before and after PCV13 introduction.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Upendo L. Mseka, Jonathan Mandolo, Kenneth Nyoni, Oscar Divala, Dzinkambani Kambalame, Daniel Mapemba, Moses Kamzati, Innocent Chibwe, Marc Y. R. Henrion, Kingsley Manda, Deus Thindwa, Memory Mvula, Bright Odala, Raphael Kamng'ona, Nelson Dzinza, Khuzwayo C. Jere, Nicholas Feasey, Antonia Ho, Abena S. Amoah, Melita Gordon, Todd D. Swarthout, Amelia Crampin, Robert S. Heyderman, Matthew Kagoli, Evelyn Chitsa-Banda, Collins Mitambo, John Phuka, Benson Chilima, Watipaso Kasambara, Kondwani C. Jambo, Annie Chauma-Mwale
Summary: A study conducted in Malawi found that the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is high among the population, but the COVID-19 vaccination coverage is low. Vaccinated individuals have higher levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies compared to the unvaccinated. Additionally, there was a reduction in hospitalizations and deaths during the Omicron variant wave in Malawi.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Catherine Anscombe, Samantha Lissauer, Herbert Thole, Jamie Rylance, Dingase Dula, Mavis Menyere, Belson Kutambe, Charlotte van der Veer, Tamara Phiri, Ndaziona Banda, Kwazizira Mndolo, Kelvin Mponda, Chimota Phiri, Jane Mallewa, Mulinda Nyirenda, Grace Katha, Henry Mwandumba, Stephen B. Gordon, Kondwani C. Jambo, Jennifer Cornick, Nicholas Feasey, Kayla G. Barnes, Ben Morton, Philip M. Ashton
Summary: This study explores the relationship between viral lineage and patient outcome in COVID-19. By observing and sequencing patients in Blantyre, Malawi, it was found that each wave of patients was infected with a different viral variant. The clinical data suggests that patients with severe COVID-19 were more likely to die during the Delta wave.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Deus Thindwa, Samuel Clifford, Jackie Kleynhans, Anne von Gottberg, Sibongile Walaza, Susan Meiring, Todd D. Swarthout, Elizabeth Miller, Peter McIntyre, Nick Andrews, Zahin Amin-Chowdhury, Norman Fry, Kondwani C. Jambo, Neil French, Samanta Cristine Grassi Almeida, Shamez N. Ladhani, Robert S. Heyderman, Cheryl Cohen, Maria Cristina de Cunto Brandileone, Stefan Flasche
Summary: The risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) increases with age for older adults, but the population benefiting from pneumococcal vaccines and the immunogenic response to vaccination decline. This study examined the impact of demographics, vaccine efficacy, and waning efficacy on the optimal age for pneumococcal vaccination. The findings suggest that administering pneumococcal vaccines earlier in adulthood in low/middle-income countries could prevent a significant proportion of residual IPD burden.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dingase Dula, Ben Morton, Tarsizio Chikaonda, Anthony E. Chirwa, Edna Nsomba, Vitumbiko Nkhoma, Clara Ngoliwa, Simon Sichone, Bridgette Galafa, Godwin Tembo, Mphatso Chaponda, Neema Toto, Raphael Kamng'ona, Lumbani Makhaza, Alfred Muyaya, Faith Thole, Evaristar Kudowa, Ashleigh Howard, Tinashe Kenny-Nyazika, John Ndaferankhande, Christopher Mkandawire, Gift Chiwala, Lorensio Chimgoneko, Ndaziona P. K. Banda, Jamie Rylance, Daniela Ferreira, Kondwani Jambo, Marc Y. R. Henrion
Summary: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) against pneumococcal carriage. The results showed that the vaccine group had a significantly lower carriage rate compared to the placebo group, with an estimated efficacy of 62.4%. This study provides important evidence for establishing vaccine-induced correlates of protection and comparing alternative strategies to prevent pneumococcal carriage.
Article
Immunology
Joe Alex Theu, Alinune Nathanael Kabaghe, George Bello, Evelyn Chitsa-Banda, Matthews Kagoli, Andrew Auld, Jonathan Mkungudza, Gabrielle O'Malley, Fred Fredrick Bangara, Elizabeth F. Peacocke, Yusuf Babaye, Wingston Ng'ambi, Christel Saussier, Ellen MacLachlan, Gertrude Chapotera, Mphatso Dennis Phiri, Evelyn Kim, Mabvuto Chiwaula, Danielle Payne, Nellie Wadonda-Kabondo, Annie Chauma-Mwale, Titus Henry Divala
Summary: This study conducted a multistage cluster survey in 5 districts of Malawi to determine the early burden of COVID-19, finding infection prevalence and seroprevalence among both community members and health facility staff. Most of the infected participants were asymptomatic, with higher seroprevalence in urban areas. The cumulative infection findings were significantly higher compared to national statistics, highlighting the importance of identifying alternative surveillance approaches and predictors of severe disease.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)