A5081530445- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- HIV Research and Treatment
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- Immune Cell Function and Interaction
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Sperm and Testicular Function
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Immune responses and vaccinations
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Ovarian function and disorders
- T-cell and B-cell Immunology
- Reproductive Biology and Fertility
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research
- Malaria Research and Control
- HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
- Pharmacological Effects and Toxicity Studies
- Urological Disorders and Treatments
- interferon and immune responses
- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
Tulane University
2008-2025
Despite the remarkable efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, waning immunity and emergence SARS-CoV-2 variants such as Omicron represents a global health challenge. Here, we present data from study in nonhuman primates demonstrating durable protection against BA.1 variant induced by subunit vaccine comprising receptor binding domain ancestral strain (RBD-Wu) on I53-50 nanoparticle adjuvanted with AS03, which was recently authorized for use individuals 18 years or older. Vaccination neutralizing...
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical caused by Trypanosoma cruzi with clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic to cardiac and/or gastrointestinal complications. The mechanisms of pathogenesis are still poorly understood, but T. strain diversity may be associated progression. Therefore, we evaluated the transcriptomic response PBMCs macaques natural chronic infections and tested for heterogeneity in their gene signatures. Remarkably, infection matched parasite profiles, indicating...
The continued evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants capable subverting vaccine and infection-induced immunity suggests the advantage a broadly protective against betacoronaviruses (β-CoVs). Recent studies have isolated monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from recovered-vaccinated donors neutralizing many other β-CoVs. Many these mAbs target conserved S2 stem region spike protein, rather than receptor binding domain contained within S1 primarily targeted by current vaccines. One S2-directed mAbs, CC40.8,...
Chronic Chagasic cardiomyopathy develops years after infection in 20-40% of patients, but disease progression is poorly understood. Here, we assessed
This study investigates the roles of T, B, and Natural Killer (NK) cells in pathogenesis severe COVID-19, utilizing mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2-MA30 (MA30). To evaluate this MA30 mouse model, we characterized MA30-infected C57BL/6 mice (B6) compared them with SARS-CoV-2-WA1 (an original SARS-CoV-2 strain) infected K18-human ACE2 (K18-hACE2) mice. We found that B6 developed peribronchial inflammation rapid pulmonary edema, but less lung interstitial than K18-hACE2 These pathological findings...
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19 disease, has killed over five million people worldwide as December 2021 with infections rising again due to emergence highly transmissible variants. Animal models that faithfully recapitulate human disease are critical for assessing SARS-CoV-2 viral and immune dynamics, understanding mechanisms testing vaccines therapeutics. Pigtail macaques (PTM, Macaca nemestrina ) demonstrate a rapid severe course when infected simian...
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 emerged in late 2019, rapidly reached pandemic status, and has maintained global ubiquity through the emergence of variants concern. Efforts to develop animal models have mostly fallen short recapitulating severe disease, diminishing their utility for research focusing on disease pathogenesis life-saving medical countermeasures. We tested whether route experimental infection substantially changes COVID-19 characteristics two species nonhuman primates ( Macaca...
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and malaria, caused by infection with Plasmodium spp., are endemic in similar geographical locations. As a result, there is high potential for HIV/Plasmodium co-infection, which increases the pathology of both diseases. However, immunological mechanisms underlying exacerbated disease observed co-infected individuals poorly understood. Here, we used rhesus macaque (RM) model to characterize immunopathogenic impact fragile co-infection during antiretroviral...
In recent months, several SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged that enhance transmissibility and escape host humoral immunity. Hence, the tracking of viral evolutionary trajectories is clearly great importance. Little known about evolution in nonhuman primate models used to test vaccines therapies model human disease. Viral RNA was sequenced from rectal swabs Chlorocebus aethiops (African green monkeys) after experimental respiratory infection. Two distinct patterns were identified shared...
The genetic evolution of HIV-1 from its progenitor virus SIV following cross-species transmission is not well understood. Here we simulated the SIVcpz initial to humans using humanized mice and followed viral during serial passages lasting more than a year. All three viruses used, namely LB715 MB897 (group M) as EK505 N) readily infected hu-mice resulting in chronic viremia. Viral loads increased progressively higher set-points CD4+ T cell decline became pronounced by end second passage...
Abstract Through the accumulation of adaptive mutations, HIV‐2 originated from SIVsm. To identify these evolutionary changes, a humanized mouse model recapitulated process that likely enabled this cross‐species transmission event. Various mutations arose, as well increased virulence and CD4 + T‐cell decline virus was passaged in mice.
Abstract HIV‐1 evolved from SIV during cross‐species transmission events, though viral genetic changes are not well understood. Here, we studied the evolution of SIVcpzLB715 into Group M using humanized mice. High loads, rapid CD4 + T‐cell decline, and non‐synonymous substitutions were identified throughout genome suggesting adaptation.
Simian immunodeficiency virus native to sooty mangabeys (SIVsm) is believed have given rise HIV-2 through cross-species transmission and evolution in the human. SIVmac239 SIV B670 , pathogenic macaques, SIVhu, isolated from an accidental human infection, also origins SIVsm. With their common ancestral lineage as that of progenitor SIVsm, but with different passage history hosts, they provide a unique opportunity evaluate new host adaptation/evolution both terms potential genetic phenotypic...
Abstract Serial passage of SIVmac239 allows for greater understanding the genetic changes necessary cross‐species transmission primate lentiviruses into humans. Using humanized mice, we show that adaptive mutations continue to accumulate in during four serial passages, with persistent CD4 + T cell decline and increases plasma viral loads.
Abstract Critical genetic adaptations needed for SIV chimpanzee to evolve into HIV‐1 are not well understood. Using humanized mice, we mimicked the evolution of SIVcpzLB715 Group M over course four generations. Higher initial viral load, increased CD4 + T‐cell decline, and nonsynonymous substitutions arose suggesting evolution.
HIV vaccine mediated efficacy, using an expanded live attenuated recombinant varicella virus-vectored SIV rSVV-SIVgag/env prime with adjuvanted SIV-Env and SIV-Gag protein boosts, was evaluated in a female rhesus macaques (RM) model against repeated intravaginal challenges. Vaccination induced anti-SIV IgG responses neutralizing antibodies were found all vaccinated RMs. Three of the eight RM remained uninfected (vaccinated protected, VP) after 13 challenges pathogenic SIVmac251-CX-1. The...
Abstract Background A vaccine against Trypanosoma cruzi , the agent of Chagas disease, would be an excellent additional tool for disease control. recombinant based on Tc24 and TSA1 parasite antigens was found to safe immunogenic in naïve macaques. Methods We used RNA-sequencing performed a transcriptomic analysis PBMC responses vaccination macaques after each dose, shed light immunogenicity this guide optimization doses formulation. identified differentially expressed genes pathways...
The effects of immunodeficiency associated with chronic HIV infection on COVID-19 disease and viral persistence have not been directly addressed in a controlled setting. In this pilot study, we exposed two pigtail macaques (PTMs) chronically infected SIVmac239, exhibiting from very low to no CD4 T cells across all compartments, SARS-CoV-2. We monitored the progression, replication, evolution, compared these outcomes SIV-naïve PTMs No overt signs were observed either animal, SARS-CoV-2...
The continued evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants capable subverting vaccine and infection-induced immunity suggests the advantage a broadly protective against betacoronaviruses (beta-CoVs). Recent studies have isolated monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from recovered-vaccinated donors neutralizing many other beta-CoVs. Many these mAbs target conserved S2 stem region spike protein, rather receptor binding domain contained within S1 primarily targeted by current vaccines. One S2-directed mAbs,...
Abstract The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19 disease, has killed over four million people worldwide as July 2021 with infections rising again due to emergence highly transmissible variants. Animal models that faithfully recapitulate human disease are critical for assessing SARS-CoV-2 viral and immune dynamics, understanding mechanisms testing vaccines therapeutics. Pigtail macaques (PTM, Macaca nemestrina ) demonstrate a rapid severe course when infected simian...
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and malaria, caused by infection with Plasmodium spp., are endemic in similar geographical locations. As a result, there is high potential for HIV/Plasmodium co-infection, which increases the pathology of both diseases. However, immunological mechanisms underlying exacerbated disease observed co-infected individuals poorly understood. Moreover, limited data available on impact co-infection antiretroviral (ART)-treated HIV infection. Here, we used rhesus...