Article
Virology
Mona Sadat Larijani, Amitis Ramezani, Maryam Mashhadi Abolghasem Shirazi, Azam Bolhassani, Mohammad Hassan Pouriayevali, Sepideh Shahbazi, Seyed Mehdi Sadat
Summary: Various approaches have been explored to combat HIV-1 since 1981, but no effective vaccine has been found. In this study, antigens derived from p24 and nef genes were evaluated in full and truncated forms for their immunogenicity. Results showed that the truncated form of p24 and nef induced strong cellular immune responses, demonstrating potential as a dendritic cell therapeutic vaccine candidate against HIV-1.
Article
Microbiology
Elena Sugrue, Arthur Wickenhagen, Nardus Mollentze, Muhamad Afiq Aziz, Vattipally B. Sreenu, Sven Truxa, Lily Tong, Ana da Silva Filipe, David L. Robertson, Joseph Hughes, Suzannah J. Rihn, Sam J. Wilson
Summary: HIV-1 transmission through sexual exposure is inefficient, and newly infected individuals are colonized by a small number of transmitting viruses. These transmitting viruses are more resistant to interferon than chronic control viruses. The apparent interferon resistance of transmitting HIV-1 may be explained by enhanced replicative fitness rather than specific resistance to interferon-induced defenses. Further research is needed to determine the generalizability of this mechanism.
Article
Oncology
Sheng Wang, Maohua Huang, Minfeng Chen, Zhiting Sun, Yubo Jiao, Geni Ye, Jinghua Pan, Wencai Ye, Jianfu Zhao, Dongmei Zhang
Summary: This study found that the combination therapy of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with zoledronic acid (ZA) and thymosin α1 (Tα1) improved the therapeutic outcomes of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) by enhancing antitumor immunity. ZA and Tα1 treatment inhibited the growth of immune cold PCa tumors, increased the infiltration of cytotoxic CD8(+) T cells, and stimulated pro-inflammatory macrophages. This research paves the way for the application of ZA plus Tα1 therapy as an immunotherapeutic strategy for treating immune unresponsive PCa patients.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jack A. Collora, Runxia Liu, Delia Pinto-Santini, Neal Ravindra, Carmela Ganoza, Javier R. Lama, Ricardo Alfaro, Jennifer Chiarella, Serena Spudich, Karam Mounzer, Pablo Tebas, Luis J. Montaner, David van Dijk, Ann Duerr, Ya-Chi Ho
Summary: Understanding the driving factors and markers of clonally expanding HIV-1-infected CD4(+) T cells is crucial for the eradication of HIV-1. Utilizing single-cell ECCITE-seq technology, researchers tracked the dynamics of clonal expansion in longitudinally archived samples from HIV-1-infected individuals and uninfected individuals. The study revealed that persistent antigen and TNF responses shaped T cell clonal expansion, even in the presence of antiretroviral therapy. Additionally, HIV-1-infected cytotoxic CD4(+) T cell clones persisted and were enriched in cytotoxic effector memory Th1 cells.
Article
Cell Biology
Geremy Sannier, Mathieu Dube, Caroline Dufour, Corentin Richard, Nathalie Brassard, Gloria-Gabrielle Delgado, Amelie Pagliuzza, Amy E. Baxter, Julia Niessl, Elsa Brunet-Ratnasingham, Roxanne Charlebois, Bertrand Routy, Jean-Pierre Routy, Remi Fromentin, Nicolas Chomont, Daniel E. Kaufmann
Summary: Understanding the diversity of HIV-1 reservoirs is crucial for a cure, but studying them at the single-cell level in primary samples is challenging. Different viral gene expression and translation patterns are observed in viremic and ART-suppressed individuals, with most reactivated proviruses found to be defective. LRAs induce a wide variety of viral gene transcription and translation patterns, with different effects on various memory cell subsets.
Review
Immunology
Lucia Cano-Ortiz, Tom Luedde, Carsten Muenk
Summary: SER5 is a transmembrane protein that has the ability to inhibit the entry of HIV-1 by disrupting viral fusion with the host cell membrane. It is also involved in innate signaling pathways and plays a role in the induction of inflammatory cytokines.
MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Virology
Lori A. Emert-Sedlak, Haibin Shi, Colin M. Tice, Li Chen, John J. Alvarado, Sherry T. Shu, Shoucheng Du, Catherine E. Thomas, Jay E. Wrobel, Allen B. Reitz, Thomas E. Smithgall
Summary: This review focuses on the discovery of pharmacological inhibitors of the HIV-1 Nef accessory protein. Nef inhibitors not only suppress HIV-1 replication, but also restore sufficient MHC-I to the surface of infected cells to trigger a cytotoxic T lymphocyte response. Combining Nef inhibitors with other therapeutic approaches may provide a path to clearing viral reservoirs.
Article
Immunology
Panpan Han, Tianshu Yu, Yu Hou, Yajing Zhao, Yang Liu, Yunqi Sun, Haoyi Wang, Pengcheng Xu, Guosheng Li, Tao Sun, Xiang Hu, Xinguang Liu, Lizhen Li, Jun Peng, Hai Zhou, Ming Hou
Summary: The aberrant PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is involved in the pathophysiology of ITP, and enhancing PD-1/PD-L1 signaling is a promising therapeutic approach for ITP management. Low-dose decitabine inhibits CTLs cytotoxicity to autologous platelets through the PD-1 pathway in ITP.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kamil Wiecek, Heng-Chang Chen
Summary: The genetic integrity of HIV-1 proviruses is crucial for curing infection, but intact proviruses are not common in HIV-1 reservoirs. A recent concept of a revised HIV-1 deeply latent reservoir suggests that the establishment of HIV-1 reservoirs is influenced by immune-mediated selection, resulting in genetically intact proviruses that are best suited to evade clearance.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ryan P. Goguen, Olivier Del Corpo, Camille M. G. Malard, Aicha Daher, Sergio P. Alpuche-Lazcano, Michelle J. Chen, Robert J. Scarborough, Anne Gatignol
Summary: The expression of short hairpin RNAs in cells has therapeutic potential for diseases like HIV, with different promoters leading to variable levels of shRNA and potency. Among the studied promoters, the U6 promoter is the most accurate in positioning the +1 start site for shRNA expression. Expression level is the main determinant of shRNA potency.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jihye Hong, Mikyung Kang, Mungyo Jung, Yun Young Lee, Yongbum Cho, Cheesue Kim, Seuk Young Song, Chun Gwon Park, Junsang Doh, Byung-Soo Kim
Summary: While T-cell therapy is a significant breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy, its efficacy against solid tumors is limited due to T-cell exhaustion caused by immunosuppressive mechanisms. T-cell-derived nanovesicles (TCNVs) produced by extrusion through membranes with micro/nanosized pores show promising anti-tumoral activity in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. TCNVs express programmed cell death protein 1 and TGF-beta receptor on their surface, which helps block PD-L1 on cancer cells and scavenge TGF-beta in the TME, preventing T-cell exhaustion and directly killing cancer cells. These findings suggest TCNVs as an effective strategy for cancer immunotherapy to overcome tumor's immunosuppressive mechanisms.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Paul Lopez, Oluwaseun Ajibola, Amelie Pagliuzza, Romaniya Zayats, Wan Hon Koh, Alon Herschhorn, Nicolas Chomont, Thomas T. Murooka
Summary: The migration of T cells in 3D collagen matrix enhances HIV infection and integration. Migratory T cells are less sensitive to antiretroviral drugs and can freely migrate into regions with high HIV densities, resulting in high infection rates. These findings indicate that the environmental context of initial HIV-T cell encounters modulates HIV-1 entry and integration efficiencies.
Article
Virology
Virginia Pierini, Lara Gallucci, Christina M. Stuerzel, Frank Kirchhoff, Oliver T. Fackler
Summary: This study investigates the impact of host cell restriction factors on HIV-1 replication, revealing that S5 exhibits varying antiviral effects on different types of HIV target cells, which can be antagonized by Nef. The results highlight the importance of studying RF function in the context of cell type and donor variabilities.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Philipp Adams, Gilles Iserentant, Jean-Yves Servais, Linos Vandekerckhove, Guido Vanham, Carole Seguin-Devaux
Summary: This study reveals that HIV controllers show significantly increased suppression at baseline and after peptide stimulation, indicating a positive correlation between IFN-gamma secretion, Ki67 proliferation marker, and viral suppressive capacity (VSC). Furthermore, detailed phenotypes of three distinct multifunctional memory CD8(+) T cell subsets are specific traits of HIV controllers, two of which are convincingly correlated with VSC. Our results underline the importance of multifunctional CD8(+) T cell responses during natural control.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Jitske van den Bulk, Manon van der Ploeg, Marieke E. Ijsselsteijn, Dina Ruano, Ruud van der Breggen, Rebekka Duhen, Koen C. M. J. Peeters, Arantza Farina-Sarasqueta, Els M. E. Verdegaal, Sjoerd H. van der Burg, Thomas Duhen, Noel F. C. C. de Miranda
Summary: Expression of CD103 and CD39 can specifically identify neoantigen-specific CD8(+) T cells in colorectal cancers (CRCs) with low mutation burden.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Francesca Paolini, Carla Amici, Mariantonia Carosi, Claudia Bonomo, Paola Di Bonito, Aldo Venuti, Luisa Accardi
Summary: The study revealed that scFvs targeting HPV16 E6 and E7 proteins were effective in delaying tumor progression in experimental models, and their antitumor activity appeared to be based on driving tumor cells towards the apoptotic pathway.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Flavia Ferrantelli, Francesco Manfredi, Chiara Chiozzini, Patrizia Leone, Andrea Giovannelli, Eleonora Olivetta, Maurizio Federico
Summary: The study demonstrates an innovative method to induce antigen-specific CD8(+) T cell immune response by in vivo engineering of extracellular vesicles. By expressing specific proteins through DNA vectors, immunogenic EVs are generated to combat HPV-related tumors with promising results.
Article
Immunology
Chiara Chiozzini, Francesco Manfredi, Flavia Ferrantelli, Patrizia Leone, Andrea Giovannelli, Eleonora Olivetta, Maurizio Federico
Summary: The study found that the C-terminal deletion of Nef(mut) retains its ability to anchor with EVs and maintain immunogenicity, making it a potentially safer alternative for human vaccines.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Gabriella Dona, Paola Di Bonito, Maria Vincenza Chiantore, Carla Amici, Luisa Accardi
Summary: In recent decades, recombinant antibodies targeting HPV oncoproteins have shown great promise for the therapy of HPV-associated cancers. However, the critical issue of delivering these antibodies to tumor cells must be addressed to achieve successful translation from the laboratory to the clinic.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Virology
Flavia Ferrantelli, Chiara Chiozzini, Francesco Manfredi, Patrizia Leone, Massimo Spada, Antonio Di Virgilio, Andrea Giovannelli, Massimo Sanchez, Andrea Cara, Zuleika Michelini, Maurizio Federico
Summary: Engineered extracellular vesicles can induce a potent SARS-CoV-2 CD8(+) T cell immune response and generate long-lasting lung-specific immune memory. This immunization approach is significant in addressing the limitations of current anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
Review
Immunology
Maurizio Federico
Summary: Vaccine strategies based on lipid-complexed messenger RNA molecules are considered the most effective against SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease. However, their safety and efficiency are challenged by factors such as viral variants, inadequate pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics studies, lack of oral mucosa protection, and antibody waning.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Francesco Manfredi, Chiara Chiozzini, Flavia Ferrantelli, Patrizia Leone, Andrea Giovannelli, Massimo Sanchez, Maurizio Federico
Summary: This study proposes an innovative strategy for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune response using extracellular vesicles (EVs). By fusing SARS-CoV-2 N with Nef(mut) or a deletion mutant of Nef(mut), the researchers successfully induced immune responses in human cells. The findings demonstrate the potential of engineered EVs to elicit a strong immune response in human cells.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maurizio Federico
Summary: COVID-19 pathogenesis develops in two phases. mRNA vaccines have shown efficacy in containing the development of severe disease possibly by inhibiting alveolar macrophages and counteracting cytokine storm.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Maria Balestrieri, Caterina Carnovale-Scalzo, Anna Rosa Garbuglia, Maria Vincenza Chiantore, Luisa Accardi, Paola Di Bonito
Summary: This report discusses 7 cases of women with genital Herpesvirus and Papillomavirus-related pathologies. The patients received antiviral treatment and underwent regular gynaecological follow-up visits. Remission of Herpesvirus infections was observed during treatment, and Papillomavirus lesions showed complete resolution with no recurrence. The cases suggest that antivirals may be effective in treating HPV lesions and further investigations and clinical studies are warranted.
INFECTIOUS AGENTS AND CANCER
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Francesco Manfredi, Chiara Chiozzini, Flavia Ferrantelli, Patrizia Leone, Katherina Pugliese, Massimo Spada, Antonio Di Virgilio, Andrea Giovannelli, Mauro Valeri, Andrea Cara, Zuleika Michelini, Mauro Andreotti, Maurizio Federico
Summary: The study demonstrates that administration of N-engineered extracellular vesicles can induce immunity in the lungs and control viral replication, suggesting its potential as an effective vaccine strategy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Vincenza Chiantore, Marco Iuliano, Roberta Maria Mongiovi, Fabiola Luzi, Giorgio Mangino, Lorenzo Grimaldi, Luisa Accardi, Gianna Fiorucci, Giovanna Romeo, Paola Di Bonito
Summary: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a precursor to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and is highly prevalent in the elderly population, particularly among those with sun-exposed skin. This study identified 43 dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) in AK samples and validated the expression of several key miRNAs. Pathway analysis revealed that these miRNAs targeted pathways involved in tumorigenesis, highlighting the importance of miRNA regulation in keratinocyte cancer.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sabrina Mariotti, Maria Vincenza Chiantore, Raffaela Teloni, Angelo Iacobino, Antonio Capocefalo, Zuleika Michelini, Martina Borghi, Melissa Baggieri, Antonella Marchi, Paola Bucci, Silvia Gioacchini, Raffaele D'Amelio, Philip J. M. Brouwer, Silvia Sandini, Chiara Acchioni, Marco Sgarbanti, Antonio Di Virgilio, Felicia Grasso, Andrea Cara, Donatella Negri, Fabio Magurano, Paola Di Bonito, Roberto Nisini
Summary: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 led to the urgent need for monoclonal antibodies to detect the virus in biological fluids for rapid identification of infected individuals. Specific antibodies were successfully generated by immunizing BALB/c mice with a recombinant spike protein. 40 different specific monoclonal antibodies were isolated, purified, and characterized, with 13 selected for their specificity and lack of cross reactivity with other human coronaviruses. These antibodies can be used in ELISA or rapid diagnostic tests to accurately diagnose COVID-19.