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2.
Med Dosim ; 47(2): 117-122, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34952761

ABSTRACT

This study compare dosimetric parameters and secondary malignancy risk (SMN) using intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans for the treatment of sinonasal cancer (SC). After IRB-approval, 10 patients previously treated with IMPT for cancers of the ethmoid, sphenoid, maxillary, or frontal sinuses were identified. Dosimetrists blinded to the IMPT plans generated VMAT plans for comparison. Volume coverage and dose to organs at risk (OAR) were recorded and compared. Organ equivalent dose (OED) of tissues outside of the treatment volume was used to define the excess absolute and relative risk of SMNs. In all cases, both VMAT and IMPT provided acceptable target volume coverage and were able to meet OAR constraints. IMPT was superior for brain V10, V30, and mean, brainstem D0.01 ipsilateral cochlea V30, contralateral cochlea mean, contralateral lacrimal gland mean, contralateral parotid mean, spinal cord D0.01 and body outside of the CTV V10, V20, and V30. VMAT was superior for ipsilateral eye mean, ipsilateral lens mean, CTV V100 and maximum hotspot. The relative risk of SMNs with VMAT compared to IMPT is 3.35 (95% CI, 1.92-5.89). For the treatment of SC, IMPT spares OARs that are not immediately adjacent to the treatment volume and reduces the risk of SMNs when compared to VMAT. VMAT spares OARs abutting the target volume better than IMPT and has more homogenous target coverage. Tumors of the ethmoid sinus, benefit more from IMPT, while tumors located elsewhere require application of our findings on a case by case basis.


Subject(s)
Neoplasms , Proton Therapy , Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated , Humans , Organs at Risk , Proton Therapy/adverse effects , Radiotherapy Dosage , Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted , Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated/adverse effects
3.
Cell ; 184(25): 6081-6100.e26, 2021 12 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34861191

ABSTRACT

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has achieved remarkable success in hematological malignancies but remains ineffective in solid tumors, due in part to CAR T cell exhaustion in the solid tumor microenvironment. To study dysfunction of mesothelin-redirected CAR T cells in pancreatic cancer, we establish a robust model of continuous antigen exposure that recapitulates hallmark features of T cell exhaustion and discover, both in vitro and in CAR T cell patients, that CAR dysregulation is associated with a CD8+ T-to-NK-like T cell transition. Furthermore, we identify a gene signature defining CAR and TCR dysregulation and transcription factors, including SOX4 and ID3 as key regulators of CAR T cell exhaustion. Our findings shed light on the plasticity of human CAR T cells and demonstrate that genetic downmodulation of ID3 and SOX4 expression can improve the efficacy of CAR T cell therapy in solid tumors by preventing or delaying CAR T cell dysfunction.


Subject(s)
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods , Pancreatic Neoplasms/therapy , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology , Animals , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/cytology , Cell Line, Tumor , HEK293 Cells , Humans , Inhibitor of Differentiation Proteins/immunology , Male , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Mice, Nude , Mice, SCID , Neoplasm Proteins/immunology , SOXC Transcription Factors/immunology
4.
J Clin Invest ; 131(7)2021 04 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33571163

ABSTRACT

BackgroundWe conducted a phase I clinical trial that infused CCR5 gene-edited CD4+ T cells to determine how these T cells can better enable HIV cure strategies.MethodsThe aim of trial was to develop RNA-based approaches to deliver zinc finger nuclease (ZFN), evaluate the effect of CCR5 gene-edited CD4+ T cells on the HIV-specific T cell response, test the ability of infused CCR5 gene-edited T cells to delay viral rebound during analytical treatment interruption, and determine whether individuals heterozygous for CCR5 Δ32 preferentially benefit. We enrolled 14 individuals living with HIV whose viral load was well controlled by antiretroviral therapy (ART). We measured the time to viral rebound after ART withdrawal, the persistence of CCR5-edited CD4+ T cells, and whether infusion of 10 billion CCR5-edited CD4+ T cells augmented the HIV-specific immune response.ResultsInfusion of the CD4+ T cells was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events. We observed a modest delay in the time to viral rebound relative to historical controls; however, 3 of the 14 individuals, 2 of whom were heterozygous for CCR5 Δ32, showed post-viral rebound control of viremia, before ultimately losing control of viral replication. Interestingly, only these individuals had substantial restoration of HIV-specific CD8+ T cell responses. We observed immune escape for 1 of these reinvigorated responses at viral recrudescence, illustrating a direct link between viral control and enhanced CD8+ T cell responses.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate how CCR5 gene-edited CD4+ T cell infusion could aid HIV cure strategies by augmenting preexisting HIV-specific immune responses.REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials.gov NCT02388594.FundingNIH funding (R01AI104400, UM1AI126620, U19AI149680, T32AI007632) was provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Sangamo Therapeutics also provided funding for these studies.


Subject(s)
Anti-Retroviral Agents/administration & dosage , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Gene Editing , HIV Infections , HIV-1/physiology , Lymphocyte Transfusion , Receptors, CCR5 , Virus Replication/immunology , Adult , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/transplantation , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Female , HIV Infections/genetics , HIV Infections/immunology , HIV Infections/therapy , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Receptors, CCR5/genetics , Receptors, CCR5/immunology , Viral Load/genetics , Viral Load/immunology , Virus Replication/drug effects , Virus Replication/genetics
5.
J Biomed Inform ; 79: 98-104, 2018 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29476967

ABSTRACT

Data from traditional public health surveillance systems can have some limitations, e.g., timeliness, geographic level, and amount of data accessible. Electronic health records (EHRs) could present an opportunity to supplement current sources of routinely collected surveillance data. The National Environmental Public Health Tracking Program (Tracking Program) sought to explore the use of EHRs for advancing environmental public health surveillance practices. The Tracking Program funded four state/local health departments to obtain and pilot the use of EHR data to address several issues including the challenges and technical requirements for accessing EHR data, and the core data elements required to integrate EHR data within their departments' Tracking Programs. The results of these pilot projects highlighted the potential of EHR data for public health surveillance of rare diseases that may lack comprehensive registries, and surveillance of prevalent health conditions or risk factors for health outcomes at a finer geographic level. EHRs therefore, may have potential to supplement traditional sources of public health surveillance data.


Subject(s)
Electronic Health Records , Public Health/methods , Rare Diseases/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/epidemiology , California , Data Collection , Glycated Hemoglobin/analysis , Humans , Massachusetts , Middle Aged , New York City , Rare Diseases/diagnosis , Registries , Risk Factors , Young Adult
6.
PLoS Pathog ; 13(10): e1006613, 2017 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29023549

ABSTRACT

HIV is adept at avoiding naturally generated T cell responses; therefore, there is a need to develop HIV-specific T cells with greater potency for use in HIV cure strategies. Starting with a CD4-based chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that was previously used without toxicity in clinical trials, we optimized the vector backbone, promoter, HIV targeting moiety, and transmembrane and signaling domains to determine which components augmented the ability of T cells to control HIV replication. This re-engineered CAR was at least 50-fold more potent in vitro at controlling HIV replication than the original CD4 CAR, or a TCR-based approach, and substantially better than broadly neutralizing antibody-based CARs. A humanized mouse model of HIV infection demonstrated that T cells expressing optimized CARs were superior at expanding in response to antigen, protecting CD4 T cells from infection, and reducing viral loads compared to T cells expressing the original, clinical trial CAR. Moreover, in a humanized mouse model of HIV treatment, CD4 CAR T cells containing the 4-1BB costimulatory domain controlled HIV spread after ART removal better than analogous CAR T cells containing the CD28 costimulatory domain. Together, these data indicate that potent HIV-specific T cells can be generated using improved CAR design and that CAR T cells could be important components of an HIV cure strategy.


Subject(s)
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , HIV Infections/therapy , HIV Infections/virology , HIV-1/physiology , Recoverin/immunology , Virus Replication , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , HIV Infections/immunology , Humans , Signal Transduction/physiology
7.
J Autoimmun ; 79: 63-73, 2017 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28117148

ABSTRACT

Based on the success in animal models of type 1 diabetes (T1D), clinical trials of adoptive regulatory T cell (Treg) therapy are underway using ex vivo expanded polyclonal Tregs. However, pre-clinical data also demonstrate that islet-specific Tregs are more potent than polyclonal Tregs at reversing T1D. Translation of this approach into man will require methods to generate large populations of islet-specific Tregs which, to date, has proved to be a major hurdle. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of lentiviral-mediated T cell receptor (TCR) gene transfer to confer antigen specificity on polyclonal human Tregs. Targeting has been achieved using TCRs isolated from human islet-specific and viral-specific CD4+ T cell clones. Engineered T cells demonstrated expression of ectopically-delivered TCRs, resulting in endowment of cognate antigen-specific responses. This enabled antigen-specific suppression at increased potency compared to polyclonal Tregs. However, cells transduced with islet-specific TCRs were less responsive to cognate antigen than viral-specific TCRs, and in some cases, required additional methods to isolate functional antigen-specific Tregs. This study demonstrates the potential of TCR gene transfer to develop islet-specific Treg therapies for effective treatment of T1D, but also highlights that additional optimisation may be required to achieve its full potential.


Subject(s)
Islets of Langerhans/immunology , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics , T-Cell Antigen Receptor Specificity/genetics , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism , Animals , Cell Line , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/genetics , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/immunology , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/therapy , Disease Models, Animal , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology , Gene Order , Gene Transfer Techniques , Genetic Therapy , Genetic Vectors/genetics , Humans , Jurkat Cells , Lentivirus/genetics , Mice , Transduction, Genetic
8.
PLoS Pathog ; 12(11): e1005983, 2016 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27855210

ABSTRACT

HIV-1 entry can be inhibited by soluble peptides from the gp41 heptad repeat-2 (HR2) domain that interfere with formation of the 6-helix bundle during fusion. Inhibition has also been seen when these peptides are conjugated to anchoring molecules and over-expressed on the cell surface. We hypothesized that potent anti-HIV activity could be achieved if a 34 amino acid peptide from HR2 (C34) were brought to the site of virus-cell interactions by conjugation to the amino termini of HIV-1 coreceptors CCR5 or CXCR4. C34-conjugated coreceptors were expressed on the surface of T cell lines and primary CD4 T cells, retained the ability to mediate chemotaxis in response to cognate chemokines, and were highly resistant to HIV-1 utilization for entry. Notably, C34-conjugated CCR5 and CXCR4 each exhibited potent and broad inhibition of HIV-1 isolates from diverse clades irrespective of tropism (i.e., each could inhibit R5, X4 and dual-tropic isolates). This inhibition was highly specific and dependent on positioning of the peptide, as HIV-1 infection was poorly inhibited when C34 was conjugated to the amino terminus of CD4. C34-conjugated coreceptors could also inhibit HIV-1 isolates that were resistant to the soluble HR2 peptide inhibitor, enfuvirtide. When introduced into primary cells, CD4 T cells expressing C34-conjugated coreceptors exhibited physiologic responses to T cell activation while inhibiting diverse HIV-1 isolates, and cells containing C34-conjugated CXCR4 expanded during HIV-1 infection in vitro and in a humanized mouse model. Notably, the C34-conjugated peptide exerted greater HIV-1 inhibition when conjugated to CXCR4 than to CCR5. Thus, antiviral effects of HR2 peptides can be specifically directed to the site of viral entry where they provide potent and broad inhibition of HIV-1. This approach to engineer HIV-1 resistance in functional CD4 T cells may provide a novel cell-based therapeutic for controlling HIV infection in humans.


Subject(s)
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/virology , HIV Envelope Protein gp41/metabolism , HIV Infections/metabolism , HIV-1/metabolism , Peptide Fragments/metabolism , Receptors, CXCR4/metabolism , Virus Internalization , Animals , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Flow Cytometry , HEK293 Cells , Humans , Mice , Mice, Inbred NOD
9.
JCI Insight ; 1(14)2016 09 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27642636

ABSTRACT

In carcinogen-driven cancers, a high mutational burden results in neoepitopes that can be recognized immunologically. Such carcinogen-induced tumors may evade this immune response through "immunoediting," whereby tumors adapt to immune pressure and escape T cell-mediated killing. Many tumors lack a high neoepitope burden, and it remains unclear whether immunoediting occurs in such cases. Here, we evaluated T cell immunity in an autochthonous mouse model of pancreatic cancer and found a low mutational burden, absence of predicted neoepitopes derived from tumor mutations, and resistance to checkpoint immunotherapy. Spontaneous tumor progression was identical in the presence or absence of T cells. Moreover, tumors arising in T cell-depleted mice grew unchecked in immune-competent hosts. However, introduction of the neoantigen ovalbumin (OVA) led to tumor rejection and T cell memory, but this did not occur in OVA immune-tolerant mice. Thus, immunoediting does not occur in this mouse model - a likely consequence, not a cause, of absent neoepitopes. Because many human tumors also have a low missense mutational load and minimal neoepitope burden, our findings have clinical implications for the design of immunotherapy for patients with such tumors.


Subject(s)
Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology , Immune Evasion , Immunotherapy , Pancreatic Neoplasms/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Animals , Cell Line, Tumor , Epitopes/immunology , Female , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL
10.
Mol Ther ; 22(6): 1084-1095, 2014 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24662946

ABSTRACT

Rhesus (rh) but not human (hu) TRIM5α potently restricts human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection. It is not clear why huTRIM5α fails to effectively block HIV infection, but it is thought to have a lower affinity for the viral core. Using primary human CD4 T cells, we investigated the ability of huTRIM5α, rhTRIM5α, and the huTRIM5αR323-332 B30.2/SPRY patch-mutant to form cytoplasmic bodies, postulated as key components of the HIV-1 restriction apparatus. Both rhTRIM5α and huTRIM5αR323-332 formed pronounced cytoplasmic bodies, whereas cytoplasmic bodies in T cells overexpressing huTRIM5α were present but more difficult to detect. As expression of all three TRIM5α orthologs was similar at the RNA level, we next investigated the role of protein stability in conferring TRIM5α-mediated HIV-1 restriction. Both steady-state and pulse-chase experiments revealed that the huTRIM5α protein was much less stable than rhTRIM5α, and this difference correlated with higher self-ubiquitination activity. Using a stabilized form of huTRIM5α in which the steady-state expression level was more similar to rhTRIM5α, we observed comparable HIV-1 restriction activity in multi-round HIV-1 challenge assays. Lastly, primary human CD4 T cells expressing a stabilized huTRIM5α were protected from HIV-1-mediated destruction in vivo, indicating that efforts to stabilize huTRIM5α should have significant long-term therapeutic value.


Subject(s)
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Carrier Proteins/genetics , Carrier Proteins/metabolism , HIV Infections/prevention & control , HIV-1/immunology , Proteins/genetics , Proteins/metabolism , Animals , Antiviral Restriction Factors , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/transplantation , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/virology , Cells, Cultured , Cytoplasm/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , HIV Infections/metabolism , HIV-1/growth & development , Humans , Macaca mulatta , Mice , Protein Stability , RNA/metabolism , Tripartite Motif Proteins , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases , Ubiquitination
11.
Eur Thyroid J ; 3(4): 245-51, 2014 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25759801

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Agranulocytosis is a serious side effect of antithyroid drugs. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the knowledge of patients and review the quality of information available on the internet. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was performed for patients receiving antithyroid drugs. Patients attending endocrine clinics who were receiving antithyroid drug treatment (group A, n = 33) were interviewed. A further national cohort of patients (group B, n = 100) treated with antithyroid drugs, participated in an online survey. RESULTS: 60.9% of responders were not aware of the common symptoms of agranulocytosis. 18.6% had never received any information about side effects. Of the 108 patients who recalled receiving information, 30% rated the quality as 'poor' or 'not good at all'. Structured interviews of group A patients revealed that almost half (45.5%, 15/33) had experienced symptoms that could be indicative of agranulocytosis, but only 53.3% (8/15) had a blood count checked. A review of 20 selected patient information internet sites revealed a significant variation in advice given to patients. CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate knowledge about agranulocytosis among patients receiving antithyroid drug treatment is common. The available information on the internet is variable and inconsistent.

12.
J Immunol ; 189(8): 3815-21, 2012 Oct 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22988032

ABSTRACT

CCR5, a cell surface molecule critical for the transmission and spread of HIV-1, is dynamically regulated during T cell activation and differentiation. The molecular mechanism linking T cell activation to modulation of CCR5 expression remains undefined. Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) is a transcription factor that promotes quiescence, survival, and in part by modulating chemokine receptor levels, induces homing to secondary lymphoid organs. Given the relationship between T cell activation and chemokine receptor expression, we tested whether the abundance of KLF2 after T cell activation regulates CCR5 expression and, thus, susceptibility of a T cell to CCR5-dependent HIV-1 strains (R5). We observed a strong correlation between T cell activation, expression of KLF2 and CCR5, and susceptibility to infection. To directly measure how KLF2 affects CCR5 regulation, we introduced small interfering RNA targeting KLF2 expression and demonstrated that reduced KLF2 expression also resulted in less CCR5. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays identified KLF2 bound to the CCR5 promoter in resting but not CD3/28 activated T cells, suggesting that KLF2 directly regulates CCR5 expression. Introduction of KLF2 under control of a heterologous promoter could restore CCR5 expression and R5 susceptibility to CD3/28 costimulated T cells and some transformed cell lines. Thus, KLF2 is a host factor that modulates CCR5 expression in CD4 T cells and influences susceptibility to R5 infection.


Subject(s)
Genetic Predisposition to Disease , HIV Infections/immunology , HIV-1/immunology , Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/physiology , Receptors, CCR5/biosynthesis , CCR5 Receptor Antagonists , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/virology , Cell Line, Transformed , Down-Regulation/genetics , Down-Regulation/immunology , Drug Delivery Systems/methods , Genetic Predisposition to Disease/etiology , HIV Infections/genetics , HIV Infections/metabolism , Humans , Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/metabolism , Lymphocyte Activation/genetics , Lymphocyte Activation/immunology , Primary Cell Culture , Protein Binding/genetics , Protein Binding/immunology , RNA, Small Interfering/pharmacology , Receptors, CCR5/genetics , Resting Phase, Cell Cycle/genetics , Resting Phase, Cell Cycle/immunology
13.
J Neurophysiol ; 108(6): 1724-38, 2012 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22745466

ABSTRACT

The entorhinal cortex (ERC) is critically implicated in temporal lobe epileptogenesis--the most common type of adult epilepsy. Previous studies have suggested that epileptiform discharges likely initiate in seizure-sensitive deep layers (V-VI) of the medial entorhinal area (MEA) and propagate into seizure-resistant superficial layers (II-III) and hippocampus, establishing a lamina-specific distinction between activities of deep- versus superficial-layer neurons and their seizure susceptibilities. While layer II stellate cells in MEA have been shown to be hyperexcitable and hypersynchronous in patients and animal models of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), the fate of neurons in the deep layers under epileptic conditions and their overall contribution to epileptogenicity of this region have remained unclear. We used whole cell recordings from slices of the ERC in normal and pilocarpine-treated epileptic rats to characterize the electrophysiological properties of neurons in this region and directly assess changes in their excitatory and inhibitory synaptic drive under epileptic conditions. We found a surprising heterogeneity with at least three major types and two subtypes of functionally distinct excitatory neurons. However, contrary to expectation, none of the major neuron types characterized showed any significant changes in their excitability, barring loss of excitatory and inhibitory inputs in a subtype of neurons whose dendrite extended into layer III, where neurons are preferentially lost during TLE. We confirmed hyperexcitability of layer II neurons in the same slices, suggesting minimal influence of deep-layer input on superficial-layer neuron excitability under epileptic conditions. These data show that deep layers of ERC contain a more diverse population of excitatory neurons than previously envisaged that appear to belie their seizure-sensitive reputation.


Subject(s)
Dendrites/physiology , Entorhinal Cortex/physiopathology , Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe/physiopathology , Action Potentials , Animals , Disease Models, Animal , Entorhinal Cortex/cytology , Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe/chemically induced , GABAergic Neurons/physiology , Hippocampus/cytology , Hippocampus/physiopathology , Interneurons/physiology , Male , Mesothelin , Pilocarpine , Pyramidal Cells/physiopathology , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Synapses/physiology
14.
Mol Ther ; 18(4): 803-11, 2010 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20104212

ABSTRACT

The first use of lentiviral vectors in humans involved transduction of mature T-cells with an human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-derived env antisense (envAS) vector to protect cells from HIV infection. In that study, only a minority of the patient T-cell population could be gene-modified, raising the question of whether the altered cells could affect replicating HIV populations. We investigated this using humanized NOD/SCID IL-2Rgamma(null) (hNSG) mice reconstituted with approximately 4-11% envAS-modified human T-cells. Mice were challenged with HIV-1(NL4-3), which has an env perfectly complementary to envAS, or with HIV-1(BaL), which has a divergent env. No differences were seen in viral titer between mice that received envAS-modified cells and control mice that did not. Using 454/Roche pyrosequencing, we analyzed the mutational spectrum in HIV populations in serum-from 33 mice we recovered 84,074 total reads comprising 31,290 unique sequence variants. We found enrichment of A-to-G transitions and deletions in envAS-treated mice, paralleling a previous tissue culture study where most target cells contained envAS, even though minority of cells were envAS-modified here. Unexpectedly, this enrichment was only detected after the challenge with HIV-1(BaL), where the viral genome would form an imperfect duplex with envAS, and not HIV-1(NL4-3), where a perfectly matched duplex would form.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections/therapy , HIV-1/genetics , Immunotherapy, Adoptive , RNA, Antisense/genetics , T-Lymphocytes/transplantation , env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/genetics , Animals , Base Sequence , Genetic Variation , HIV Infections/virology , Humans , Mice , Mice, Inbred NOD , Mice, SCID , RNA, Viral/genetics , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Transduction, Genetic , Virus Replication/genetics
15.
Immunol Res ; 42(1-3): 166-81, 2008.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18841331

ABSTRACT

To be effective for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases, T cell adoptive immunotherapy requires large numbers of cells with abundant proliferative reserves and intact effector functions. We are achieving these goals using a gene therapy strategy wherein the desired characteristics are introduced into a starting cell population, primarily by high efficiency lentiviral vector-mediated transduction. Modified cells are then expanded using ex vivo expansion protocols designed to minimally alter the desired cellular phenotype. In this article, we focus on strategies to (1) dissect the signals controlling T cell proliferation; (2) render CD4 T cells resistant to HIV-1 infection; and (3) redirect CD8 T cell antigen specificity.


Subject(s)
Genetic Engineering/methods , Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods , T-Lymphocytes/transplantation , Animals , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/cytology , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/transplantation , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/cytology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/transplantation , Cell Proliferation , Humans , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism , T-Lymphocytes/cytology , T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
16.
J Virol ; 82(22): 11117-28, 2008 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18768965

ABSTRACT

Rhesus TRIM5alpha (rhTRIM5alpha), but not human TRIM5alpha (huTRIM5alpha), potently inhibits human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and is thus a potentially valuable therapeutic tool. Primary human CD4 T cells engineered to express rhTRIM5alpha were highly resistant to cell-free HIV type 1 (HIV-1) infection. However, when cocultured with unmodified T cells, rhTRIM5alpha-expressing cells became highly permissive to HIV-1 infection. Physical separation of rhTRIM5alpha-expressing cells and unmodified cells revealed that rhTRIM5alpha efficiently restricts cell-free but not cell-associated HIV transmission. Furthermore, we observed that HIV-infected human cells could infect rhesus CD4 T cells by cell-to-cell contact, but the infection was self-limiting. Subsequently, we noted that a spreading infection ensued when HIV-1-infected rhTRIM5alpha-expressing human cells were cultured with huTRIM5alpha- but not rhTRIM5alpha-expressing cells. Our results suggest that cell-associated HIV transmission in humans is blocked only when both donor and recipient cells express rhTRIM5alpha. These studies further define the role of rhTRIM5alpha in cell-free and cell-associated HIV transmission and delineate the utility of rhTRIM5alpha in anti-HIV therapy.


Subject(s)
HIV-1/immunology , Immunity, Innate , Proteins/immunology , Animals , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/virology , Cells, Cultured , Coculture Techniques , HIV-1/growth & development , Humans , Macaca mulatta , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
17.
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr ; 40(1): 1-11, 2005 Sep 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16123674

ABSTRACT

This study analyzed the antigen-specific (Gag, Nef, Rev, and Tat) IgM, IgG, and IgA humoral responses during the first 200 days of SIVmac251 infection in cynomolgus macaques. These responses were tested for correlation with the CD4(+) T-cell-related hematologic parameters and viral load throughout the course of the study (acute and chronic infection, during and after antiretroviral therapy). Strong inverse correlations were observed between the percentage of CD4(+) T cells at almost every timepoint of the study and the levels of IgM (but not IgG and IgA) against Gag, Nef, and Rev (but not Tat) measured after, but not during, the primary peak of IgM response. Significant levels of persistent antigen-specific IgMs may reflect the prevalence of mature plasma cells that have not undergone immunoglobulin class switching, possibly due to defects in helper T-cell function. Strong correlations were observed between the preinfection CD4(+) T-cell count or CD4/CD8 ratio and the same parameters measured throughout the study, suggesting the importance of preinfection immune status as a determinant of disease progression. The negative correlations between the post-acute-phase IgM levels and the percentage of CD4(+) T cells at later times during the study suggest the potential prognostic value of this measurement.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Viral/blood , Gene Products, gag/immunology , Gene Products, rev/immunology , Immunoglobulins/blood , Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/immunology , Simian Immunodeficiency Virus , T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/immunology , Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins/immunology , Animals , Anti-Retroviral Agents/therapeutic use , Antibody Specificity , Biomarkers/blood , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Disease Models, Animal , Disease Progression , Lymphocyte Count , Macaca fascicularis , Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/diagnosis , Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/drug therapy , Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/virology , Simian Immunodeficiency Virus/immunology , Time Factors , Viral Load
18.
Methods Mol Biol ; 252: 339-58, 2004.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15017062

ABSTRACT

Hairpin ribozymes derived from the negative strand of satellite RNAs from the tobacco ringspot virus (sTRSV) can be engineered to target and cleave a variety of heterologous RNAs from both cellular and viral transcripts. Attention to design and targeting rules and optimization of helix 1 length and catalytic efficiency in vitro may increase the efficacy of hairpin ribozymes in reducing the expression of targeted transcripts. Here, principles for the design and targeting of sTRSV-derived hairpin ribozymes are described, as well as methods and materials for optimizing helix 1 length, and for conducting an initial screen of catalytic efficiency to identify promising candidates for further evaluation. Examples are provided for hairpin ribozymes that target human and mouse transforming growth-factor beta (TGF-beta), as well as human polycystic kidney disease gene 1 (PKD1) and JC virus large T-antigen. The tetraloop modification of the sTRSV hairpin ribozyme is considered superior to designs based on the native sTRSV hairpin ribozyme, given its potential to yield considerable improvements in stability and catalytic efficiency.


Subject(s)
Nepovirus/genetics , RNA, Catalytic/metabolism , RNA, Viral/metabolism , Base Sequence , Catalysis , Genetic Engineering/methods , Genetic Markers , Humans , Molecular Sequence Data , Nucleic Acid Conformation , RNA, Catalytic/chemistry , RNA, Catalytic/genetics , RNA, Viral/chemistry , RNA, Viral/genetics , Substrate Specificity , Templates, Genetic , Transcription, Genetic , Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics
19.
DNA Cell Biol ; 23(1): 1-13, 2004 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14965468

ABSTRACT

T-cell receptor excision circles (TREC) may be a useful surrogate marker in HIV-1 infection for evaluating the likelihood of continued clinical stability and/or the response to therapeutics, including vaccines. Analysis of TREC in SHIV and SIV models of HIV-1 infection may provide additional information concerning the utility of TREC as a marker. We measured TREC in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from rhesus macaques in SHIV89.6p (n = 20) and SIVmac251 (n = 11) models of HIV-1 infection. TREC were also evaluated in tissues in the SIVmac251 model at end-point. In the SHIV89.6p model, TREC in PBMC were significantly lower at 12 weeks postinfection compared to preinfection levels. The decrease in TREC correlated with the decline in CD4+ T cells (r(s) = 0.496; P = 0.026), which in turn correlated inversely with serum viral loads at end-point (r(s) = -0.517; P = 0.019). Macaques that controlled SHIV89.6p infection to some degree (n = 6) had higher TREC at study end-point (P = 0.017). In the SIVmac251 model, TREC in PBMC were significantly reduced after 17 months of infection (P = 0.012) despite receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) consisting of didanosine (ddI) and (R)-9-(2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)-adenine (PMPA) when not cycling off therapy during scheduled treatment interruptions (STI). However, macaques that received continuous hydroxyurea (HU) in addition to the HAART regimen had higher end-point TREC compared to the non-HU group (P = 0.041), and the reduction in TREC observed at end-point within the HU group was not significant. In the SIVmac251 model, TREC correlated with the percentage of CD4+ T cells (r(s) = 0.426; P = 0.048) and CD4+CD28+ T cells (r(s) = 0.624; P = 0.002), and inversely with CD8+ T cells (r(s) = -0.622; P = 0.002), CD8+CD28- T cells (r(s) = -0.516; P = 0.014), and serum viral loads (r(s) = -0.627; P = 0.039). High levels of TREC were observed in the thymus, levels comparable to PBMC were seen in the lymph node, and low but detectable levels of TREC were present in bone marrow. The use of correlates of TREC as covariates in ANCOVA revealed that the decline in TREC in the SHIV 89.6p model reflected the decline in the percentage of CD4+ T-cells due to viral cytopathogenicity. In the SIVmac251 model, the decline in TREC was related to increased immune activation and proliferation due to viral replication, as reflected by decreases in percentages of CD4+CD28+ T cells and increases in CD8+ and CD8+CD28- T cells.


Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/immunology , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics , Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/drug therapy , Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/immunology , Simian Immunodeficiency Virus/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Analysis of Variance , Animals , Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Disease Models, Animal , Macaca mulatta , T-Lymphocytes/classification , Time Factors
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