Protective efficacy of nonpathogenic nef-deleted SHIV vaccination combined with recombinant IFN-gamma administration against a pathogenic SHIV challenge in rhesus monkeys

We previously reported that a nef-deleted SHIV (SHIV-NI) is nonpathogenic and gave macaques protection from challenge infection with pathogenic SHIV-C2/1. To investigate whether IFN-gamma augments the immune response induced by this vaccination, we examined the antiviral and adjuvant effect of recombinant human IFN-gamma (rIFN-gamma) in vaccinated and unvaccinated monkeys. Nine monkeys were vaccinated with nef-deleted nonpathogenic SHIV-NI. Four of them were administered with rIFN-gamma and the other five monkeys were administered with placebo. After the challenge with pathogenic SHIV-C2/1, CD4(+) T-cell counts were maintained similarly in monkeys of both groups, while those of the unvaccinated monkeys decreased dramatically at 2 weeks after challenge. However, the peaks of plasma viral load were reduced to 100-fold in SHIV-NI vaccinated monkeys combined with rIFN-gamma compared with those in SHIV-NI vaccinated monkeys without rIFN-gamma. The peaks of plasma viral load were inversely correlated with the number of SIV Gag-specific IFN-gamma-producing cells. In SHIV-NI-vaccinated monkeys with rIFN-gamma, the number of SIV Gag-specific IFN-gamma-producing cells of PBMCs increased 2-fold compared with those in SHIV-NI-vaccinated monkeys without rIFN-gamma, and the NK activity and MIP-1alpha production of PBMCs were also enhanced. Thus, vaccination of SHIV-NI in combination with rIFN-gamma was more effective in modulating the antiviral immune system into a Th1 type response than SHIV-NI vaccination alone. These results suggest that IFN-gamma augmented the anti-viral effect by enhancing innate immunity and shifting the immune response to Th1.     

SHIV减毒株在AIDS疫苗研究中的应用

艾滋病,即获得性免疫缺陷综合症(Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, AIDS)是由人免疫缺陷病毒(Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV)引起的,以全身免疫系统严重损害为特征的传染性疾病.感染者终身携带病毒,迄今仍缺乏有效的预防和治愈措施.艾滋病已成为威胁人类健康的最大传染性疾病之一.历史上对付传染性疾病最经济有效的方法就是发展安全有效的疫苗.     

DEAE-葡聚糖在SHIV病毒TCID50滴定及扩增中的作用

目的 确定DEAE-葡聚糖对CEMx174细胞的半数抑制浓度,明确其在SHIV病毒TCID50滴定及病毒扩增中的促进作用.方法 分别使用含DEAE和无DEAE的DMEM完全培养基测定SHIVchn19p7的TCID50.用无血清DMEM培养基系列稀释DEAE,加入CEMx174细胞,使用cck-8测定细胞破坏率.分别选取DEAE浓度为28.125μg/mL和14.0625μg/mL的无血清DMEM培养基对CEMx174细胞预处理3 h.再加入SHIV-KB9病毒液,定期测定培养上清中的P24水平,同时做正常病毒对照和DEAE-1640对照,比对不同处理下的病毒扩增情况.结果 使用了DEAE后,SHIVchn19p7的TCID50达到了3.16×104TCID50/mL,不使用DEAE,病毒的TCID50测定为阴性.DEAE对CEMx174细胞的IC50为44.85μg/mL.经浓度为28.125μg/mL和14.0625 μg/mL的DEAE预处理后,SHIV-KB9病毒扩增在13 d～17 d达到高峰.而用不含DEAE的1640生长液培养的实验孔在19 d才开始出现阳性反应.结论 高浓度的DEAE对细胞有较强的杀伤作用,低浓度的DEAE对细胞的破坏率较低,并且能显著促进病毒扩增.DEAE在病毒进入细胞的过程中确实起了重要的作用.     

Vaccination-induced noncytolytic effects in the acute phase of SHIV infection

Many studies have shown that vaccines inducing CD8+ T cell responses can reduce viral loads and preserve CD4+ T cell numbers in monkey models of HIV infection. The mechanism of viral control by the vaccine-induced CD8+ T cells is usually assumed to be cytolysis of infected cells. However, in addition to cytolysis of infected cells, CD8+ T cells secrete a range of soluble factors that suppress viral replication. We have studied the dynamics of virus and CD4+ T cells in a successful vaccination-challenge model of SHIV infection. We find that better viral control in the acute phase of infection is associated with slower decay of peak viral load. Comparing viral and CD4+ T cell dynamics in acute infection, we find that a cytolytic mode of viral control with direct killing of infected cells is inconsistent with the observed trends. On the other hand, comparison of the predicted effects of noncytolytic CD8+ effector function with the experimental data shows that non-cytolytic control provides a better explanation of the experimental results. Our analysis suggests that vaccine-induced CD8+ T cells control SHIV infection by non-cytolytic means.     

SHIV及其在AIDS疫苗和药物研究中的应用

艾滋病已成为21世纪威胁人类健康的最主要的疾病,最有效的预防措施,就是研制安全有效的疫苗。疫苗安全性和有效性评价,以及疫苗组合的选择和免疫程序的策略,需要在合适的动物模型中进行分析。SIV/恒河猴模型曾被认为是最有效的研究模型。但是,SIV和HIV之间基因的差异,使得这个模型存在很大局限性。研究人员还曾经致力于HIV-1/黑猩猩模型,但伦理学等方面的问题导致该模型也不能被广泛利用[1]。嵌合猿猴/人免疫缺陷病毒(Chimeric simian/human immunodeficency virus,SHIV),是以猿猴免疫缺陷病毒(Simian immunode ficiency virus,SIV…     

SHIV及其在AIDS疫苗和药物研究中的应用

艾滋病已成为21世纪威胁人类健康的最主要的疾病,最有效的预防措施,就是研制安全有效的疫苗.疫苗安全性和有效性评价,以及疫苗组合的选择和免疫程序的策略,需要在合适的动物模型中进行分析.SIV/恒河猴模型曾被认为是最有效的研究模型.但是,SIV和HIV之间基因的差异,使得这个模型存在很大局限性.研究人员还曾经致力于HIV-1/黑猩猩模型,但伦理学等方面的问题导致该模型也不能被广泛利用[1].     

Protective immune responses induced by a non-pathogenic simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) against a challenge of a pathogenic SHIV in monkeys

A simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)-NM3n containing the human nef, but not the monkey nef, and vpr genes of SIV was inoculated into two cynomolgus monkeys, resulting in systemic infection with a minimum level of transient virus load. In order to study the nature of immune responses associated with the prevention of a pathogenic SHIV, the SHIV-NM3n-inoculated monkeys and three naive monkeys were intravenously challenged with a pathogenic SHIV containing the envelope gene of HIV-1 89.6. After the heterologous virus challenge, all of the SHIV-NM3n-inoculated animals completely avoided the loss of CD4+ T lymphocytes in PBMC as well as lymphoid tissues compared to pathogenic SHIV-injected control animals. The inhibition of CD4+ cell depletion was associated with maintaining the proliferative response of helper T-cells against SIV p27 in the previously nonpathogenic virus-inoculated animals following the pathogenic virus challenge. Furthermore, the decline of CD28+ cells, the increase in CD95+ cells, and the enhancement of in vitro apoptosis in PBMC were inhibited in the non-pathogenic virus-inoculated animals. These results suggest that nonpathogenic SHIV-NM3n infection induces the protection of monkeys from heterologous pathogenic viruses that may be associated with blocking the change in immune responses and the cell loss induced by a pathogenic virus.     

Multigene DNA prime-boost vaccines for SHIV89.6P

We assessed four prime-boost vaccine regimens with a Gene Gun component for SHIV89.6P in Macaca nemestrina. A dosing experiment using beta-galactosidase plasmid showed that 30 or 45 shots per dose elicited higher titer antibody than smaller doses. For SHIV89.6P, we administered a six-plasmid vaccine capable of producing non-infectious virions in vivo in combination with either vaccinia recombinants or inactivated virus. DNA prime/vaccinia boost, or the reverse, elicited strong immune responses. The SHIV89.6P challenge virus was grown in M. nemestrina peripheral blood mononuclear cells and titered in vivo intrarectally. As has been observed for SHIV89.6P in M. mulatta, the infected M. nemestrina experienced rapid and severe loss of circulating CD4+ T cells. Vaccinated macaques were challenged three weeks after the last boost. DNA prime/vaccina boost or vaccina prime/DNA boost protected 11/12 animals from acute CD4+ T cell depletion and disease, while other regimens were not effective.     

Impaired T-cell differentiation in the thymus at the early stages of acute pathogenic chimeric simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) infection in contrast to less pathogenic SHIV infection

One of the mechanisms by which HIV infection induces the depletion of CD4+ T cells has been suggested to be impairment of T-cell development in the thymus, although there is no direct evidence that this occurs. To examine this possibility, we compared T-cell maturation in the intrathymic progenitors between macaques infected with an acute pathogenic chimeric simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV), which causes profound and irreversible CD4+ T-cell depletion, and macaques infected with a less pathogenic SHIV, which causes only a transient CD4+ T-cell decline. Within 27 days post-inoculation (dpi), the two virus infections caused similar increases in plasma viral loads and similar decreases in CD4+ T-cell counts. However, in the thymus, the acute pathogenic SHIV resulted in increased thymic involution, atrophy and the depletion of immature T cells including CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive (DP) cells, whereas the less pathogenic SHIV did not have these effects. Ex vivo differentiation of CD3(-)CD4(-)CD8(-) triple-negative (TN) intrathymic progenitors to DP cells was assessed by a monkey-mouse xenogenic fetal thymus organ culture system. Differentiation was impaired in the TN intrathymic progenitors of the acute pathogenic SHIV-infected monkeys, while differentiation was not impaired in the TN intrathymic progenitors of the less pathogenic SHIV-infected monkeys. These differences suggest that dysfunction of thymic maturation makes an important contribution to the irreversible depletion of circulating CD4+ T cells in vivo.     

替换HIV-1衣壳蛋白基因SHIV的构建及其活性测定

将猴免疫缺陷病毒(Simian immunodeficiency virus,SIVmm239)中gag基因的衣壳蛋白部分置换成人免疫缺陷病毒(Human immunodeficiency virus type1,HIV-1 HXBc2)的相应部分,构建出替换了衣壳蛋白基因的人/猿嵌合免疫缺陷病毒(SHIV)原病毒DNA.用此SHIV原病毒DNA转染293T细胞,细胞中能够检测到嵌合病毒基因的转录与翻译;在细胞培养液上清中亦可检测到装配出的病毒颗粒.病毒颗粒形态正常,含有基因组RNA,具有反转录酶活性,嵌合的外源衣壳蛋白能够正确剪切,形成棒状的核心.将此嵌合SHIV病毒感染MT4细胞,病毒能够吸附并进入细胞,能完成反转录过程,但不能增殖.     

替换HIV-1衣壳蛋白基因SHIV的构建及其活性测定

将猴免疫缺陷病毒(Simianimmunodeficiencyvirus,SIVmm239)中gag基因的衣壳蛋白部分置换成人免疫缺陷病毒(Humanimmunodeficiencyvirustype1,HIV-1HXBc2)的相应部分,构建出替换了衣壳蛋白基因的人/猿嵌合免疫缺陷病毒(SHIV)原病毒DNA。用此SHIV原病毒DNA转染293T细胞,细胞中能够检测到嵌合病毒基因的转录与翻译;在细胞培养液上清中亦可检测到装配出的病毒颗粒。病毒颗粒形态正常,含有基因组RNA,具有反转录酶活性,嵌合的外源衣壳蛋白能够正确剪切,形成棒状的核心。将此嵌合SHIV病毒感染MT4细胞,病毒能够吸附并进入细胞,能完成反转录过程,但不能增殖。     

Prevention of Vaginal SHIV Transmission in Macaques by a Coitally-Dependent Truvada Regimen

Background

Daily pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with Truvada (a combination of emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir (TFV) disoproxil fumarate (TDF)) is a novel HIV prevention strategy recently found to prevent HIV transmission in men who have sex with men and heterosexual couples. We previously showed that a coitally-dependent Truvada regimen protected macaques against rectal SHIV transmission. Here we examined FTC and tenofovir TFV exposure in vaginal tissues after oral dosing and assessed if peri-coital Truvada also protects macaques against vaginal SHIV infection.

Methods

The pharmacokinetic profile of emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir (TFV) was evaluated at first dose. FTC and TFV levels were measured in blood plasma, rectal, and vaginal secretions. Intracellular concentrations of FTC-triphosphate (FTC-TP) and TFV-diphosphate (TFV-DP) were measured in PBMCs, rectal tissues, and vaginal tissues. Efficacy of Truvada in preventing vaginal SHIV infection was assessed using a repeat-exposure vaginal SHIV transmission model consisting of weekly exposures to low doses of SHIV162p3. Six pigtail macaques with normal menstrual cycles received Truvada 24 h before and 2 h after each weekly virus exposure and six received placebo. Infection was monitored by serology and PCR amplification of SHIV RNA and DNA.

Results

As in humans, the concentration of FTC was higher than the concentration of TFV in vaginal secretions. Also as in humans, TFV levels in vaginal secretions were lower than in rectal secretions. Intracellular TFV-DP concentrations were also lower in vaginal tissues than in rectal tissues. Despite the low vaginal TFV exposure, all six treated macaques were protected from infection after 18 exposures or 4 full menstrual cycles. In contrast, all 6 control animals were infected.

Conclusions

We modeled a peri-coital regimen with two doses of Truvada and showed that it fully protected macaques from repeated SHIV exposures. Our results open the possibility for simplified PrEP regimens to prevent vaginal HIV transmission in women.     

Compromised NK Cell-Mediated Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in Chronic SIV/SHIV Infection

Increasing evidence indicates that antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) contributes to the control of HIV/SIV infection. However, little is known about the ADCC function of natural killer (NK) cells in non-human primate model. Here we demonstrated that ADCC function of NK cells was significantly compromised in chronic SIV/SHIV infection, correlating closely with the expression of FcγRIIIa receptor (CD16) on NK cells. CD32, another class of IgG Fc receptors, was identified on NK cells with higher expression in the infected macaques and the blockade of CD32 impacted the ability of NK cells to respond to antibody-coated target cells. The inhibition of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), a group of enzymes normally involved in tissue/receptor remodeling, could restore NK cell-mediated ADCC with increased CD16 expression on macaque NK cells. These data offer a clearer understanding of NK cell-mediated ADCC in rhesus macaques, which will allow us to evaluate the ADCC repertoire arising from preclinical vaccination studies in non-human primates and inform us in the future design of effective HIV vaccination strategies.     

SHIV病毒在猴体内的复制与传代

目的为建立SHIV艾滋病动物模型提供毒力较强的病毒株,将新合成的SHIV XJ02170病毒适应猴体,并增强其毒力。方法实验前采集猴血清并进行血清学检查和PCR检测。选出13只无SIV,STLV1,SRV D和B病毒感染的猴。第一批实验,将SHIV前病毒DNA质粒经肌肉注射到猴体内,每只500μg;SHIV病毒液,经静脉注射到猴体内,每只2ml。病毒质粒和病毒液各接种2只猴。当第一批猴体检出病毒后,10ml感染猴的全血,抗凝后静脉注射到第二批猴体内,当第二批猴检出病毒后再将10ml感染猴的全血静脉注射到第三批猴体内,连续传代4次。每批实验均定期采集血液标本,分别用肝素和EDTA抗凝,进行病毒分离;病毒基因PCR检测;CD4,CD8测定;病毒抗体检测。结果SHIV XJ02170病毒和SHIV XJ02170前病毒DNA质粒在猴体内的传代中均能分离出病毒;从传代猴的血浆和外周血单核细胞(PBMC)中检出了病毒DNA和RNA基因;CD4,CD8测定结果显示有暂时性倒置现象,后变为正常倒置与正常交替出现;在传代的猴血清中检测出特异性HIV病毒抗体。结论SHIV XJ02170病毒与SHIV XJ02170前病毒DNA质粒,均能在恒河猴体内复制。     

Intrathymic effect of acute pathogenic SHIV infection on T-lineage cells in newborn macaques

We intrarectally infected newborn macaques with a pathogenic simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) that induced rapid and profound CD4 (+) T cell depletion, and examined the early effects of this SHIV on the thymus. After intrarectal infection, viral loads were much higher in the thymus than in other lymphoid tissues in newborns. In contrast, no clear difference was seen in the viral loads of different tissues in adults. Histological and immunohistochemical observations showed severe thymic involution. Depletion of CD4 (+) thymocytes began in the medulla at 2 weeks post infection and spread over the whole thymus. After in vivo infection, the CD2 (+) subpopulation, which represents a relatively later stage of T cell progenitors, was selectively reduced and development of thymocytes from CD3 (-) CD4 (-) CD8 (-) cells to CD4 (+) CD8 (+) cells was impaired. These results suggest that profound and irreversible loss of CD4 (+) cells that are observed in the peripheral blood of SHIV-infected monkeys are due to destruction of the thymus and impaired thymopoiesis as a result of SHIV infection in the thymus.     

Expression of plgR in the tracheal mucosa of SHIV/SIV-infected rhesus macaques

Polymeric immunoglobulin receptors (plgR) are key participants in the formation and secretion of secretory IgA (S-IgA),which is critical for the prevention of microbial infection and colonization in the respiratory system.Although increased respiratory colonization and infections are common in HIV/AIDS,little is known about the expression of plgR in the airway mucosa of these patients.To address this,the expression levels of plgR in the tracheal mucosa and lungs of SHIV/SIV-infected rhesus macaques were examined by real-time RT-PCR and confocal microscopy.We found that the levels of both PIGR mRNA and plgR immunoreactivity were lower in the tracheal mucosa of SHIV/SIV-infected rhesus macaques than that in non-infected rhesus macaques,and the difference in plgR immunoreactivity was statistically significant.IL-17A,which enhances plgR expression,was also changed in the same direction as that of plgR.In contrast to changes in the tracheal mucosa,plgR and IL-17A levels were higher in the lungs of infected rhesus macaques.These results indicated abnormal plgR expression in SHIV/SIV,and by extension HIV infections,which might partially result from IL-17A alterations and might contribute to the increased microbial colonization and infection related to pulmonary complications in HIV/AIDS.     

携带GFP发光基因人猴嵌合免疫缺陷病毒SHIV的构建及活性检测

目的获得正常感染宿主细胞并稳定表达绿色荧光的SHIV毒株,为后期建立发光SHIV/恒河猴感染模型奠定基础。方法通过分子克隆手段,将绿色荧光蛋白基因克隆到携带HIV-1包膜蛋白的SHIV病毒全基因组中,并在细胞水平检测各毒株的感染活性及荧光蛋白表达能力。结果得到一株可表达绿色荧光蛋白的病毒株SHIV-KB9nefGFP,并具有感染TZM-bl细胞系及猴PBMC的能力。结论该毒株在宿主细胞恒河猴PBMC中具有一定复制能力,希望通过后续的猴体内传代实验获得毒力更强的发光病毒。