Article
Immunology
Jana Blazkova, Erin D. Huiting, Arun Kumar Boddapati, Victoria Shi, Emily J. Whitehead, Jesse S. Justement, Jeffrey L. Nordstrom, Susan Moir, Justin Lack, Tae-Wook Chun
Summary: The study found that levels of TIGIT were positively correlated with CD8(+) T-lymphocyte activity in HIV-infected and healthy individuals, but not in HIV-viremic individuals. Furthermore, TIGIT(+)CD8(+) T cells maintained intrinsic cytotoxicity in HIV-infected individuals, suggesting they may not represent a state of immune exhaustion.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shunli Fu, Lili Chang, Shujun Liu, Tong Gao, Xiao Sang, Zipeng Zhang, Weiwei Mu, Xiaoqing Liu, Shuang Liang, Han Yang, Huizhen Yang, Qingping Ma, Yongjun Liu, Na Zhang
Summary: The authors developed a pH and photothermal therapy targeted nanoparticle that simultaneously targeted tumours and lymph nodes, leading to mobilization of anti-tumour cytotoxic T cells and NK cells and a synergistic therapeutic effect with immune checkpoint blockade. Targeting the immunosuppressive microenvironment of tumours is a critical strategy in immunotherapy and this study highlights the important role of the tumour lymph node immune microenvironment. Combining lymph node targeting with immune checkpoint blockade significantly enhances the effectiveness of T and NK cells and suppresses tumour growth.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Dandan Jiang, Tong Gao, Shuang Liang, Weiwei Mu, Shunli Fu, Yang Liu, Rui Yang, Zipeng Zhang, Yongjun Liu, Na Zhang
Summary: The study proposed a lymph node delivery strategy to modulate the immune response by activating CTLs and NK cells simultaneously, achieving significant antitumor efficiency.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
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
Oncology
Priyanka G. Bhosale, Robert A. Kennedy, Fiona M. Watt
Summary: Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) are genetically diverse and have different microenvironments. Despite the presence of lymphocytes, the activation of CASP8 and CASP3 is low in tumors, while apoptosis is high in lymphocytes. Higher FasL expression in CASP8 mutated tumors may predict disease progression.
JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sheikh Abdul Rahman, James M. Billingsley, Ashish Arunkumar Sharma, Tiffany M. Styles, Sakthivel Govindaraj, Uma Shanmugasundaram, Hemalatha Babu, Susan Pereira Riberio, Syed A. Ali, Gregory K. Tharp, Chris Ibegbu, Stephen N. Waggoner, R. Paul Johnson, Rafick-Pierre Sekaly, Francois Villinger, Steve E. Bosinger, Rama Rao Amara, Vijayakumar Velu
Summary: The study found that follicular homing NK cells may play an important role in immune control of chronic SHIV infection, with implications for HIV cure strategies.
Article
Biology
Scott M. Anthony, Natalija Van Braeckel-Budimir, Steven J. Moioffer, Stephanie van de Wall, Qiang Shan, Rahul Vijay, Ramakrishna Sompallae, Stacey M. Hartwig, Isaac J. Jensen, Steven M. Varga, Noah S. Butler, Hai-Hui Xue, Vladimir P. Badovinac, John T. Harty
Summary: IAV infection generates Trm CD8(+)T cells in mice, while repeated antigen exposure produces 4M CD8(+)T cells with enhanced protective capacity. Enhanced protection by 4M cells is associated with increased expression of granzyme A/B and stable maintenance of CD69(+)CD103(+) 4M CD8(+)T cells, improving control of viral infections in mLN.
Article
Cell Biology
Dornatien Chuo Anang, Tamara H. Ramwadhdoebe, Janine S. Hahnlein, Bo van Kuijk, Noortje Smits, Krijn P. van Lienden, Mario Maas, Danielle M. Gerlag, Paul P. Tak, Niek de Vries, Lisa G. M. van Baarsen
Summary: In early RA patients and individuals at risk for RA, there is an increase in Tfh cells in lymphoid tissues with decreased IL-21 production.
Article
Oncology
Huanhe Ni, Huanling Zhang, Lin Li, He Huang, Hui Guo, Lin Zhang, Chunwei Li, Jing-Xiao Xu, Cai-Ping Nie, Kui Li, Xiaoshi Zhang, Xiaojun Xia, Jiang Li
Summary: In this study, it was found that increased STING and CCL22 levels, as well as higher levels of FOXP3(+) cells and lower levels of CD8(+) cells in tumor tissues of cervical cancer, predicted poor survival. Activation of STING signaling in cooperation with T cell receptor and other signals promoted iTreg differentiation in both human and murine CD4(+) naive T cells. Additionally, tumor-derived exosomes were found to activate STING signaling in tumor-infiltrated T cells, leading to iTreg expansion.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Akira Takeda, Marko Salmi, Sirpa Jalkanen
Summary: Single-cell technologies have revealed multiple subsets of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) in the lymph node sinus systems of mice and humans. These LECs play important immunological roles in the lymph node stroma, including guiding immune cell trafficking, capturing microbes, and transporting lymph-borne antigens. However, our understanding of LEC functions in human disease is still limited, hindering clinical translation in inflammation and metastasis. Nonetheless, targeting LECs in the lymph nodes has potential for modulating immune reactivity in these conditions.
TRENDS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Isabelle M. Castro, Michael J. Ricciardi, Lucas Gonzalez-Nieto, Eva G. Rakasz, Jeffrey D. Lifson, Ronald C. Desrosiers, David Watkins, Mauricio A. Martins
Summary: This study tracks the long-term effects of an AIDS vaccine on rhesus macaques, showing sustained anti-SIV immune responses and successful protection against a second round of rectal SIV exposure. These findings are relevant for the development of HIV vaccines.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Erin M. B. Scholz, Joseph N. Mwangi, Gabriela De la Cruz, Michael Nekorchuk, Chi Ngai Chan, Kathleen Busman-Sahay, Lourdes Adamson, Paul Luciw, Yuri Fedoriw, Jacob D. Estes, Elias P. Rosen, Angela D. M. Kashuba
Summary: Our study found that a significant portion of mesenteric lymph node tissue was not covered by any antiretroviral drugs, and a substantial amount of FDC-trapped virions and infected cells were not exposed to detected ARVs. While cumulative antiretroviral therapy coverage was high, a large portion of tissue coverage was from only one ARV, mainly maraviroc. Collagen deposition did not influence the heterogeneity of ARV distribution. Our findings suggest that ARV distribution, in addition to total-tissue drug concentration, is important when evaluating viral persistence in lymph nodes and other reservoir tissues.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Soeren Schnellhardt, Johannes Hirneth, Maike Buettner-Herold, Christoph Daniel, Marlen Haderlein, Arndt Hartmann, Rainer Fietkau, Luitpold Distel
Summary: This study investigated the impact of CD8+ cytotoxic T cell density on the prognostic association of FoxP3+ T cell densities in rectal cancer (RC) and found that the association varies depending on the immune phenotype, suggesting functional heterogeneity within the group of FoxP3+ T cells. Additionally, CD8 immunohistochemistry may serve as a tool to identify tumors infiltrated by different subtypes of FoxP3+ T cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Christina Stehle, Timo Rueckert, Remi Fiancette, Dominika W. Gajdasik, Claire Willis, Carolin Ulbricht, Pawel Durek, Mir-Farzin Mashreghi, Daniela Finke, Anja Erika Hauser, David R. Withers, Hyun-Dong Chang, Jakob Zimmermann, Chiara Romagnani
Summary: The study reveals the unexpected roles of T-bet and ROR alpha during embryonic ILC function, with ROR gamma t being crucial in counteracting the suppressive effects of T-bet. Deficiency of T-bet rescues lymph node formation in ROR gamma t-deficient mice by skewing the differentiation fate of fetal ILCs.
Article
Virology
Sanath Kumar Janaka, Alexandra V. Palumbo, Aidin Tavakoli-Tameh, David T. Evans
Summary: The Nef proteins of HIV-1 and SIV enhance viral infectivity by preventing the incorporation of SERINC5 into virions. By systematically mapping Nef residues required for SERINC5 antagonism, it was found that separating this function allows comparison of replication in viruses that are or are not sensitive to SERINC5, revealing its impact on SIV replication in primary rhesus macaque CD4(+)T cells.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Sindhuja Murali Kilapandal Venkatraman, Ranjit Sivanandham, Ivona Pandrea, Cristian Apetrei
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Virology
Ranjit Sivanandham, Adam J. Kleinman, Paola Sette, Egidio Brocca-Cofano, Sindhuja Murali Kilapandal Venkatraman, Benjamin B. Policicchio, Tianyu He, Cuiling Xu, Julia Swarthout, Zhirui Wang, Ivona Pandrea, Cristian Apetrei
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2020)
Article
Virology
Hui Li, Shuyi Wang, Fang-Hua Lee, Ryan S. Roark, Alex Murphy, Jessica Smith, Chengyan Zhao, Juliette Rando, Neha Chohan, Yu Ding, Eunlim Kim, Emily Lindemuth, Katharine J. Bar, Ivona Pandrea, Cristian Apetrei, Brandon F. Keele, Jeffrey D. Lifson, Mark G. Lewis, Thomas N. Denny, Barton F. Haynes, Beatrice H. Hahn, George M. Shaw
Summary: The study demonstrates the successful construction of SHIVs with bulky aromatic substitutions at residue 375, allowing efficient replication in rhesus macaques and effective transmission across rectal, vaginal, penile, oral, or intravenous routes. These SHIVs can serve as a model for HIV-1 infection studies in preclinical monkey trials.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Adam J. Kleinman, Ranjit Sivanandham, Paola Sette, Egidio Brocca-Cofano, Colin McAndrews, Brandon F. Keele, Ivona Pandrea, Cristian Apetrei
Summary: A study found that a functional cure for HIV might be possible by eliminating a small population of cells containing intact virus, rather than the entire reservoir which mostly comprised defective proviruses. However, the chemotherapeutic agent Cyclophosphamide (Cy) showed adverse effects when administered with antiretroviral therapy (ART), discouraging further investigation of Cy as an HIV cure agent. This study highlights the complexities and challenges in developing a cure for HIV.
AIDS RESEARCH AND HUMAN RETROVIRUSES
(2022)
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)
Review
Virology
Adam J. Kleinman, Ivona Pandrea, Cristian Apetrei
Summary: Curing HIV infection is crucial to improve the quality of life of patients, who currently require lifelong antiretroviral therapy. This review discusses different SIV strains and their animal hosts used in cure research, as well as the life cycle and pathogenesis of HIV/SIV. It also emphasizes the role of chronic immune activation and inflammation in disease progression and comorbidities, comparing pathogenic and nonpathogenic infections in natural hosts of SIVs. Furthermore, various HIV cure strategies, particularly immunological therapies and shock and kill approaches, are explored.
Review
Immunology
Anna J. Jasinska, Ivona Pandrea, Cristian Apetrei
Summary: CCR5 is a chemokine receptor that plays a central role in immune responses and inflammation. It is involved in the pathogenesis of various health conditions, including HIV infection. Natural loss-of-function mutations of CCR5 can render individuals resistant to HIV. In addition, many African nonhuman primate species have developed strategies to minimize the effects of SIV infection by modulating CCR5 activity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Stefan Dascalu, Oana Geambasu, Catalin Valentin Raiu, Doina Azoicai, Emilian Damian Popovici, Cristian Apetrei
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Virology
Adam J. Kleinman, Sindhuja Sivanandham, Paola Sette, Ranjit Sivanandham, Benjamin B. Policicchio, Cuiling Xu, Ellen Penn, Egidio Brocca-Cofano, Quentin Le Hingrat, Dongzhu Ma, Ivona Pandrea, Cristian Apetrei
Summary: The pursuit of an HIV cure is important due to the prevalence of comorbidities among HIV patients. The shock and kill approach is one of the most investigated strategies. In this study, the use of romidepsin, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, was tested in a rhesus macaque model. The results showed that repeated use of romidepsin gradually reduced viral reactivation. With enhanced immune responses, there was a reduction in the viral reservoir. These findings suggest the importance of restoring the immune system for cure strategies.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristian Apetrei, Preston A. Marx, John W. Mellors, Ivona Pandrea
Summary: 'Infodemia' refers to the widespread and rapid dissemination of information, misinformation, and disinformation about a specific subject. This phenomenon makes it difficult for the public to distinguish between accurate and false information, eroding trust in scientists and governments and creating barriers to pandemic control. Therefore, it is important to prioritize measures to address future misinfodemics.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Ivona Pandrea, Kelsie Brooks, Rahul P. P. Desai, Minali Tare, Jason M. M. Brenchley, Cristian Apetrei
Summary: The diversity and location of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract can directly affect viral disease pathogenesis. Infections such as HIV, SIV, and SARS-CoV-2 can cause gastrointestinal pathology, and therapeutic interventions targeting the gastrointestinal tract may improve patient outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
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)
Meeting Abstract
Veterinary Sciences
Paola Sette, Benjamin B. Policicchio, Cui Ling Xu, Egidio Brocca Cofano, Ranjit Sivanandham, Tianyu He, Kevin D. Raehtz, William M. McFadden, Tammy L. Dunsmore, George Haret Richter, Alan Landay, Ivona Pandrea, Cristian Apetrei
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL PRIMATOLOGY
(2020)