scholarly journals Evaluation of HIV-1 latency reversal and antibody-dependent viral clearance by quantification of singly spliced HIV-1 vpu/env mRNA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongbo Gao ◽  
Ayşe N. Ozantürk ◽  
Qiankun Wang ◽  
Gray H. Harlan ◽  
Aaron J. Schmitz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Latent Reservoir ◽  
Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Reversing Agents

The latent reservoir of HIV-1 is a major barrier for viral eradication. Potent HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNabs) have been used to prevent and treat HIV-1 infections in animal models and clinical trials. Combination of bNabs and latency-reversing agents (LRAs) is considered a promising approach for HIV-1 eradication. PCR-based assays that can rapidly and specifically measure singly spliced HIV-1 vpu/env mRNA are needed to evaluate the induction of the viral envelope production at the transcription level and bNab-mediated reservoir clearance. Here we reported a PCR-based method to accurately quantify the production of intracellular HIV-1 vpu/env mRNA. With the vpu/env assay, we determined the LRA combinations that could effectively induce vpu/env mRNA production in CD4+ T cells from ART-treated individuals. None of the tested LRAs were effective alone. A comparison between the quantitative viral outgrowth assay (Q-VOA) and the vpu/env assay showed that vpu/env mRNA production was closely associated with the reactivation of replication-competent HIV-1, suggesting that vpu/env mRNA was mainly produced by intact viruses. Finally, antibody-mediated in vitro killing in HIV-1-infected humanized mice demonstrated that the vpu/env assay could be used to measure the reduction of infected cells in tissues and was more accurate than the commonly used gag-based PCR assay which measured unspliced viral genomic RNA. In conclusion, the vpu/env assay allows convenient and accurate assessment of HIV-1 latency reversal and bNab-mediated therapeutic strategies. Importance HIV-1 persists in individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART) due to the long-lived cellular reservoirs that contain dormant viruses. Recent discoveries of HIV-1-specific broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNabs) targeting HIV-1 Env protein rekindled the interest in antibody-mediated elimination of latent HIV-1. Latency-reversing agents (LRAs) together with HIV-1 bNabs is a possible strategy to clear residual viral reservoirs, which makes the evaluation of HIV-1 Env expression upon LRA treatment critical. We developed a PCR-based assay to quantify the production of intracellular HIV-1 vpu/env mRNA. Using patient CD4+ T cells, we found that induction of HIV-1 vpu/env mRNA required a combination of different LRAs. Using in vitro, ex vivo and humanized mouse models, we showed that the vpu/env assay could be used to measure antibody efficacy in clearing HIV-1 infection. These results suggest that the vpu/env assay can accurately evaluate HIV-1 reactivation and bNab-based therapeutic interventions.

HTLV-II down-regulates HIV-1 replication in IL-2–stimulated primary PBMC of coinfected individuals through expression of MIP-1α

Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 95 (9) ◽  
pp. 2760-2769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Casoli ◽  
Elisa Vicenzi ◽  
Andrea Cimarelli ◽  
Giacomo Magnani ◽  
Paolo Ciancianaini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽  
Human T Cell ◽  
Cc Chemokines ◽  
Kinetics Of ◽  
Hiv 1

The influence of human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type II (HTLV-II) in individuals also infected with HIV-1 is poorly understood. To evaluate the reciprocal influence of HTLV-II and HIV-1 infection, primary peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures from coinfected individuals were established in the presence of interleukin 2 (IL-2). In these cultures, the kinetics of HTLV-II replication always preceded those of HIV-1. Noteworthy, the kinetics of HIV-1 production were inversely correlated to the HTLV-II proviral load in vivo and its replication ex vivo. These observations suggested a potential interaction between the 2 retroviruses. In this regard, the levels of IL-2, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) were measured in the same coinfected PBMC cultures. Endogenous IL-2 was not produced, whereas IL-6 and TNF- were secreted at levels compatible with their known ability to up-regulate HIV-1 expression. The HIV-suppressive CC-chemokines RANTES, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1), and MIP-1β were also determined in IL-2–stimulated PBMC cultures. Of interest, their kinetics and concentrations were inversely related to those of HIV-1 replication. Experiments were performed in which CD8+ T cells or PBMCs from HTLV-II monoinfected individuals were cocultivated with CD4+ T cells from HIV-1 monoinfected individuals separated by a semipermeable membrane in the presence or absence of antichemokine neutralizing antibodies. The results indicate that HTLV-II can interfere with the replicative potential of HIV-1 by up-regulating viral suppressive CC-chemokines and, in particular, MIP-1. This study is the first report indicating that HTLV-II can influence HIV replication, at least in vitro, via up-regulation of HIV-suppressive chemokines.

scholarly journals Different human resting memory CD4+ T cell subsets show similar low inducibility of latent HIV-1 proviruses

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (528) ◽  
pp. eaax6795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyungyoon J. Kwon ◽  
Andrew E. Timmons ◽  
Srona Sengupta ◽  
Francesco R. Simonetti ◽  
Hao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cell Subset ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Effector Memory ◽  
Latent Reservoir ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Memory T Cell ◽  
Hiv 1

The latent reservoir of HIV-1 in resting CD4+ T cells is a major barrier to cure. It is unclear whether the latent reservoir resides principally in particular subsets of CD4+ T cells, a finding that would have implications for understanding its stability and developing curative therapies. Recent work has shown that proliferation of HIV-1–infected CD4+ T cells is a major factor in the generation and persistence of the latent reservoir and that latently infected T cells that have clonally expanded in vivo can proliferate in vitro without producing virions. In certain CD4+ memory T cell subsets, the provirus may be in a deeper state of latency, allowing the cell to proliferate without producing viral proteins, thus permitting escape from immune clearance. To evaluate this possibility, we used a multiple stimulation viral outgrowth assay to culture resting naïve, central memory (TCM), transitional memory (TTM), and effector memory (TEM) CD4+ T cells from 10 HIV-1–infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy. On average, only 1.7% of intact proviruses across all T cell subsets were induced to transcribe viral genes and release replication-competent virus after stimulation of the cells. We found no consistent enrichment of intact or inducible proviruses in any T cell subset. Furthermore, we observed notable plasticity among the canonical memory T cell subsets after activation in vitro and saw substantial person-to-person variability in the inducibility of infectious virus release. This finding complicates the vision for a targeted approach for HIV-1 cure based on T cell memory subsets.

scholarly journals Elimination of SHIV Infected Cells by Combinations of Bispecific HIVxCD3 DART® Molecules

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Tuyishime ◽  
Amir Dashti ◽  
Katelyn Faircloth ◽  
Shalini Jha ◽  
Jeffrey L. Nordstrom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Anti Hiv ◽  
Hiv 1

Bispecific HIVxCD3 DART molecules that co-engage the viral envelope glycoprotein (Env) on HIV-1-infected cells and the CD3 receptor on CD3+ T cells are designed to mediate the cytolysis of HIV-1-infected, Env-expressing cells. Using a novel ex vivo system with cells from rhesus macaques (RMs) infected with a chimeric Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus (SHIV) CH505 and maintained on ART, we tested the ability of HIVxCD3 DART molecules to mediate elimination of in vitro-reactivated CD4+ T cells in the absence or presence of autologous CD8+ T cells. HIVxCD3 DART molecules with the anti-HIV-1 Env specificities of A32 or 7B2 (non-neutralizing antibodies) or PGT145 (broadly neutralizing antibody) were evaluated individually or combined. DART molecule-mediated antiviral activity increased significantly in the presence of autologous CD8+ T cells. In this ex vivo system, the PGT145 DART molecule was more active than the 7B2 DART molecule, which was more active than the A32 DART molecule. A triple combination of the DART molecules exceeded the activity of the individual PGT145 DART molecule. Modified quantitative virus outgrowth assays confirmed the ability of the DART molecules to redirect RM CD3+ T cells to eliminate SHIV-infected RM CD4+ T cells as demonstrated by the decreased propagation of in vitro infection by the infected cells pre-incubated with DART molecules in presence of effector CD8+ T cells. While mediating cytotoxic activity, DART molecules did not increase proinflammatory cytokine production. In summary, combination of HIVxCD3 DART molecules that have broadly-neutralizing and non-neutralizing anti-HIV-1 Env specificities can leverage the host immune system for treatment of HIV-1 infection but will require appropriate reactivation of the latent reservoir.

scholarly journals Inconsistent Reversal of HIV-1 Latency Ex Vivo by Antigens of HIV-1, CMV, and Other Infectious Agents

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Vollbrecht ◽  
Aaron O. Angerstein ◽  
Bryson Menke ◽  
Nikesh M. Kumar ◽  
Michelli Faria Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Latent Reservoir ◽  
Antigen Specificity ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Hiv 1

Abstract BackgroundA reservoir of replication-competent but latent virus is the main obstacle to a cure for HIV-infection. Much of this reservoir resides in memory CD4 T cells. We hypothesized that these cells can be reactivated with antigens from HIV and other common pathogens to reverse latency. ResultsWe obtained mononuclear cells from the peripheral blood of antiretroviral-treated patients with suppressed viremia. We tested pools of peptides and proteins derived from HIV and from other pathogens including CMV for their ability to reverse latency ex vivo by activation of memory responses. We assessed activation of the CD4 T cells by measuring the up-regulation of cell-surface CD69. We assessed HIV-expression using two assays: a real-time PCR assay for virion-associated viral RNA and a droplet digital PCR assay for cell-associated, multiply spliced viral mRNA. Reversal of latency occurred in a minority of cells from some participants, but no single antigen induced HIV-expression ex vivo consistently. When reversal of latency was induced by a specific peptide pool or protein, the extent was proportionally greater than that of T cell activation. ConclusionsIn this group of patients in whom antiretroviral therapy was started during chronic infection, the latent reservoir does not appear to consistently reside in CD4 T cells of a predominant antigen-specificity. Peptide-antigens reversed HIV-latency ex vivo with modest and variable activity. When latency was reversed by specific peptides or proteins, it was proportionally greater than the extent of T cell activation, suggesting partial enrichment of the latent reservoir in cells of specific antigen-reactivity.

scholarly journals Modeling HIV-1 Latency Using Primary CD4+ T Cells from Virally Suppressed HIV-1-Infected Individuals on Antiretroviral Therapy

2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Takata ◽  
Cari Kessing ◽  
Aaron Sy ◽  
Noemia Lima ◽  
Julia Sciumbata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Viral Reactivation ◽  
Hiv Latency ◽  
Cell Models ◽  
Hiv Cure ◽  
Hiv Reservoirs ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT The low frequency of latently HIV-infected cells in vivo limits the testing of potential HIV cure strategies using cells from successfully suppressed individuals. To date, primary cell models of latency use cells infected in vitro. Primary CD4+ T cell models carrying an individual’s endogenous HIV reservoir that recapitulate in vivo conditions of HIV latency are still outstanding. We developed a primary CD4+ T cell model of HIV latency derived from memory CD4+ T cells isolated from virally suppressed HIV-infected individuals that recapitulates HIV-1 latency and viral reactivation events. This model is based on the expansion of primary CD4+ T cells up to 300-fold in cell number. These cells reestablish a resting state without active virus production after extended culture and maintain a stable number of total HIV proviruses. The ability of these cells to respond to various classes of latency-reversing agents is similar to that of ex vivo CD4+ T cells directly isolated from blood. Importantly, viral outgrowth assays confirmed the ability of these expanded cells to produce replication-competent endogenous virus. In sum, this model recapitulates ex vivo viral reactivation conditions, captures the variability between individuals with different HIV reservoirs, and provides large numbers of cells for testing multiple agents from a single donor. The use of this novel model will allow accurate exploration of novel cure approaches aimed either at promoting viral reactivation or maintaining sustained latency. IMPORTANCE Primary cell models of HIV latency have been very useful to identify mechanisms contributing to HIV latency and to evaluate potential HIV cure strategies. However, the current models utilize in vitro infection with exogenous virus that does not fully recapitulate virus reactivation profiles of endogenous HIV in in vivo-infected CD4+ T cells. In contrast, obtaining sufficient amounts of CD4+ T cells from HIV-infected individuals to interrogate the HIV reservoir in vitro requires leukapheresis. In the model we propose here, in vitro expansion and extended culture of primary CD4+ T cells isolated from virally suppressed HIV-infected individuals enable obtaining large numbers of cells harboring endogenous latent HIV reservoirs without performing leukapheresis. This model captures the variability of HIV reservoirs seeded in different individuals and should be useful to evaluate future HIV cure strategies.

scholarly journals Autologous IgG antibodies block outgrowth of a substantial but variable fraction of viruses in the latent reservoir for HIV-1

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (50) ◽  
pp. 32066-32077
Author(s):  
Lynn N. Bertagnolli ◽  
Joseph Varriale ◽  
Sarah Sweet ◽  
Jacqueline Brockhurst ◽  
Francesco R. Simonetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Viral Evolution ◽  
Treatment Interruption ◽  
Latent Reservoir ◽  
Env Protein ◽  
Autologous Antibodies ◽  
Hiv 1

In untreated HIV-1 infection, rapid viral evolution allows escape from immune responses. Viral replication can be blocked by antiretroviral therapy. However, HIV-1 persists in a latent reservoir in resting CD4+ T cells, and rebound viremia occurs following treatment interruption. The reservoir, which is maintained in part by clonal expansion, can be measured using quantitative viral outgrowth assays (QVOAs) in which latency is reversed with T cell activation to allow viral outgrowth. Recent studies have shown that viruses detected in QVOAs prior to treatment interruption often differ from rebound viruses. We hypothesized that autologous neutralizing antibodies directed at the HIV-1 envelope (Env) protein might block outgrowth of some reservoir viruses. We modified the QVOA to reflect pressure from low concentrations of autologous antibodies and showed that outgrowth of a substantial but variable fraction of reservoir viruses is blocked by autologous contemporaneous immunoglobulin G (IgG). A reduction in outgrowth of >80% was seen in 6 of 15 individuals. This effect was due to direct neutralization. We established a phylogenetic relationship between rebound viruses and viruses growing out in vitro in the presence of autologous antibodies. Some large infected cell clones detected by QVOA carried neutralization-sensitive viruses, providing a cogent explanation for differences between rebound virus and viruses detected in standard QVOAs. Measurement of the frequency of reservoir viruses capable of outgrowth in the presence of autologous IgG might allow more accurate prediction of time to viral rebound. Ultimately, therapeutic immunization targeting the subset of variants resistant to autologous IgG might contribute to a functional cure.

scholarly journals Dendritic cells transduced by multiply deleted HIV-1 vectors exhibit normal phenotypes and functions and elicit an HIV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response in vitro

Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 1327-1333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Gruber ◽  
June Kan-Mitchell ◽  
Kelli L. Kuhen ◽  
Tetsu Mukai ◽  
Flossie Wong-Staal
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Dendritic Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
T Cell Response ◽  
Adoptive T Cell Therapy ◽  
Cytotoxic T Cell ◽  
T Cell Therapy ◽  
Hiv 1

Abstract Dendritic cells (DCs) genetically modified to continually express and present antigens may be potent physiologic adjuvants for induction of prophylactic or therapeutic immunity. We have previously shown that an env and nef deleted HIV-1 vector (HIV-1ΔEN) pseudotyped with VSV-G transduced monocyte-derived macrophages as well as CD34+ precursors of DCs. Here we extended these findings with HIV-1ΔEN to highly differentiated human DCs derived in culture from circulating monocytes (DCs). In addition, a new vector derived from HIV-1ΔEN but further deleted in its remaining accessory genes vif, vpr, and vpu(HIV-1ΔEN V3) was also tested. Both vectors efficiently transduced DCs. Transduction of DCs did not significantly alter their viability or their immunophenotype when compared with untransduced DCs. Furthermore, the phagocytic potential of immature DCs, as well as their ability to differentiate into mature DCs capable of stimulating T-cell proliferation, was not affected. Finally, DCs transduced by the HIV-1ΔEN vector were able to elicit a primary antiviral cytotoxic T-cell response in autologous CD8 T cells. These results suggest that HIV-1–based vectors expressing viral antigens may be useful for in vivo active immunization as well as ex vivo priming of cytotoxic T cells for adoptive T-cell therapy.

scholarly journals Reverse Immunology Approach to Define a New HIV-gp41-Neutralizing Epitope

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karim Dorgham ◽  
Nicolas Pietrancosta ◽  
Amel Affoune ◽  
Olivier Lucar ◽  
Tahar Bouceba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Molecular Design ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Surface Envelope ◽  
Hiv 1

The design of immunogens susceptible to elicit potent and broadly neutralizing antibodies against the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) remains a veritable challenge in the course of vaccine development. Viral envelope proteins adopt different conformational states during the entry process, allowing the presentation of transient neutralizing epitopes. We focused on the highly conserved 3S motif of gp41, which is exposed to the surface envelope in its trimeric prefusion state. Vaccination with a W614A-modified 3S peptide induces in animals neutralizing anti-HIV-1 antibodies among which we selected clone F8. We used F8 as bait to select for W614A-3S phage-peptide mimics. Binding and molecular docking studies revealed that F8 interacts similarly with W614A-3S and a Mim_F8-1 mimotope, despite their lack of sequence homology, suggesting structural mimicry. Finally, vaccination of mice with the purified Mim_F8-1 phage elicited HIV-1-neutralizing antibodies that bound to the cognate W614A-3S motif. Collectively, our findings provide new insights into the molecular design of immunogens to elicit antibodies with neutralizing properties.

Expression of HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus 8 in vitro and in vivo

2016 ◽  
Vol 80 ◽  
pp. 68-77
Author(s):  
Yongjiao Yu ◽  
Lu Fu ◽  
Xiaoyu Jiang ◽  
Shanshan Guan ◽  
Ziyu Kuai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Adeno Associated Virus ◽  
Hiv 1

scholarly journals Antigen sensitivity is a major determinant of CD8+ T-cell polyfunctionality and HIV-suppressive activity

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 113 (25) ◽  
pp. 6351-6360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge R. Almeida ◽  
Delphine Sauce ◽  
David A. Price ◽  
Laura Papagno ◽  
So Youn Shin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Cd8 T Cell ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Suppressive Activity ◽  
Antiviral Efficacy ◽  
Hiv 1

Abstract CD8+ T cells are major players in the immune response against HIV. However, recent failures in the development of T cell–based vaccines against HIV-1 have emphasized the need to reassess our basic knowledge of T cell–mediated efficacy. CD8+ T cells from HIV-1–infected patients with slow disease progression exhibit potent polyfunctionality and HIV-suppressive activity, yet the factors that unify these properties are incompletely understood. We performed a detailed study of the interplay between T-cell functional attributes using a bank of HIV-specific CD8+ T-cell clones isolated in vitro; this approach enabled us to overcome inherent difficulties related to the in vivo heterogeneity of T-cell populations and address the underlying determinants that synthesize the qualities required for antiviral efficacy. Conclusions were supported by ex vivo analysis of HIV-specific CD8+ T cells from infected donors. We report that attributes of CD8+ T-cell efficacy against HIV are linked at the level of antigen sensitivity. Highly sensitive CD8+ T cells display polyfunctional profiles and potent HIV-suppressive activity. These data provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying CD8+ T-cell efficacy against HIV, and indicate that vaccine strategies should focus on the induction of HIV-specific T cells with high levels of antigen sensitivity to elicit potent antiviral efficacy.

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