A5020572780- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- interferon and immune responses
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Malaria Research and Control
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Legionella and Acanthamoeba research
- Immunodeficiency and Autoimmune Disorders
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Remote Sensing and Land Use
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus
2007-2023
University of Puerto Rico System
2019-2022
University of California, Davis
2007
Abstract Zika virus (ZIKV) is a re-emerging that has recently spread into dengue (DENV) endemic regions and cross-reactive antibodies (Abs) could potentially affect ZIKV pathogenesis. Using DENV-immune serum, it been shown in vitro antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection can occur. Here we study the effects pre-existing DENV immunity on vivo . We infect two cohorts rhesus macaques with ZIKV; one cohort exposed to 2.8 years earlier second control naïve flaviviral infection. Our...
Background Pathogenic versus protective outcomes to Dengue virus (DENV) infection are associated with innate immune function. This study aimed determine the role of increased TLR3- and TLR7/8-mediated signaling after rhesus macaques in vivo evaluate its impact on disease anti-DENV responses. Methodology/Principal Findings TLR3 TLR7/8 agonists (emulsified Montanide) were administered subcutaneously at 48 hours 7 days DENV infection. The Frequency activation myeloid dendritic cells,...
ABSTRACT Dengue is the world's most common mosquito-borne viral infection and a leading cause of morbidity throughout tropics subtropics. Viruses are known to evade establishment an antiviral state by regulating activation interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), critical transcription in alpha/beta induction pathway. Here, we show that dengue virus (DENV) circumvents retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like receptor (RLR) pathway during blocking serine 386 phosphorylation nuclear translocation...
Both the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and emergence of variants concern have highlighted need for functional antibody assays to monitor humoral response over time. Antibodies directed against spike (S) protein are an important component neutralizing response. In this work, we report that in a subset patients—despite decline total S-specific antibodies—neutralizing titers remain at similar level average 98 days longitudinal sampling cohort 59 Hispanic/Latino patients exposed SARS-CoV-2. Our data...
SeroNet institutions have developed or implemented 61 diverse COVID-19 serological assays and are collaboratively working to harmonize these using reference materials establish standardized reporting units. This will facilitate clinical interpretation of serology results cross-comparison research data.
Zika virus (ZIKV) and dengue (DENV) are co-endemic in many parts of the world, but impact ZIKV infection on subsequent DENV is not well understood. Here we show rhesus macaques that time elapsed after affects immune response to infection. We previous exposure increases magnitude antibody T cell responses against DENV. The interval between further response. A mid-convalescent period 10 months results higher more durable than a short 2 months. In contrast, does affect viremia or...
Abstract Natural infection of SARS-CoV-2 in humans leads to the development a strong neutralizing antibody response, however immunodominant targets polyclonal response are still unknown. Here, we functionally define role spike plays as target human response. In this study, identify protein subunits that contain antigenic determinants and examine neutralization capacity sera from cohort patients tested qRT-PCR-positive for SARS-CoV-2. Using an ELISA format, assessed binding subunit 1 (S1), 2...
Abstract The four dengue virus serotypes co-circulate globally and cause significant human disease. Dengue vaccine development is challenging because some virus-specific antibodies are protective, while others implicated in enhanced viral replication more severe Current tetravalent vaccines contain live attenuated formulated to theoretically induce balanced protective immunity. Among the number of candidates clinical trials, only Dengvaxia licensed for use DENV seropositive individuals. To...
Macaques are the only animal model used to test dengue virus (DENV) vaccine candidates. Nevertheless, pathogenesis of DENV in macaques is not well understood. In this work, by using Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarrays, we studied broad transcriptional modifications and cytokine expression profile after infecting rhesus with serotype 1. Five days infection, these animals produced a potent, innate antiviral immune response inducing transcription signature genes from interferon (IFN) pathway...
Little is known about the contribution of virus-specific and cross-reacting antibodies (Abs) or cellular immune response generated by a primary dengue (DENV) infection on course secondary zika (ZIKV) in vivo. Here we show that length time between DENV/ZIKV infections has qualitative impact controlling early ZIKV replication. Depletion DENV2-specific Abs sera confirmed those type-specific do not contribute to control. We magnitude durability neutralizing (nAbs) induced modest compared after...
Abstract Both the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and emergence of variants concern have highlighted need for functional antibody assays to monitor humoral response over time. Antibodies directed against spike (S) protein are an important component neutralizing response. In this work, we report that in a subset patients—despite decline total S-specific antibodies—neutralizing titers remain at similar level average 98 days longitudinal sampling cohort 59 Hispanic/Latino patients exposed SARS-CoV-2. We...
The link between CD4+ T and B cells during immune responses to DENV ZIKV their roles in cross-protection heterologous infection is an active area of research. Here we used lymphocyte depletions dissect the impact cellular immunity on humoral a tertiary flavivirus macaques. We show that depletion DENV/ZIKV-primed animals followed by resulted dysregulated adaptive responses. delay DENV-specific IgM/IgG antibody titers binding neutralization CD4-depleted but not ZIKV/DENV-primed animals. This...
Abstract The current COVID-19 epidemic imposed an unpreceded challenge to the scientific community in terms of treatment, epidemiology, diagnosis, social interaction, fiscal policies and many other areas. development accurate reliable diagnostic tools (high specificity sensitivity) is crucial period, near future long term. These assays should provide guidance identify immune presumptive protected persons, potential plasma, and/or B cell donors vaccine among others. Also, such will be...
Abstract Patients with immune conditions and immune-modifying therapies were excluded from the Covid-19 vaccine trials. Studies have shown conflicting response to different vaccines in persons receiving suppressors or biologics. The aim of this study is evaluate humoral cellular patients Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) using biologic and/or immunomodulatory (IMM) therapies. Methods Participants are adults IBD biologics IMM planning receive a Covid 19 vaccine. Cellular immunity (CD4+ CD8+ T...
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has impacted public health systems all over the world. Delta variant seems to possess enhanced transmissibility, but no clear evidence suggests it increased virulence. Our data show that pre-exposed individuals had similar neutralizing activity against authentic COVID-19 strain and Epsilon variants. After only one vaccine dose, neutralization capacity expanded tested variants in individuals. Healthy vaccinated showed a limited breadth of neutralization. One dose did...
Abstract Increasing age is associated with dysregulated immune function and increased inflammation– patterns that are also observed in individuals exposed to chronic social adversity. Yet we still know little about how adversity impacts the system it might promote age-related diseases. Here, investigated cell diversity varied age, sex (operationalized as low status) free-ranging rhesus macaques. We found signatures of immunosenescence, including lower proportions CD20+ B cells, CD20+/CD3+...
Abstract Prior exposure to a single serotype of dengue virus (DENV) predisposes individuals severe disease upon secondary heterologous DENV infection. Here we show that the length time between DENV/Zika (ZIKV) infections has qualitative impact on controlling ZIKV replication. We identified limited but significant differences in magnitude early humoral immune response associated with period twelve months not three convalescence. However, their role limiting replication is conclusive. There...
Abstract The role of Zika virus (ZIKV) immunity on subsequent dengue (DENV) infections is relevant to anticipate the dynamics forthcoming DENV epidemics in areas with previous ZIKV exposure. We study effect infection various strains immune response after 10 and 2 months rhesus macaques. Our results show that a animals early- middle-convalescent periods do not promote an increase viremia nor pro-inflammatory status. Previous exposure increases magnitude antibody T cell responses against DENV,...
Abstract The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has impacted public health systems all over the world. Delta variant seems to possess enhanced transmissibility, but no clear evidence suggests it increased virulence. Our data shows that pre-exposed individuals had similar neutralizing activity against authentic COVID-19 strain and Epsilon variants. After one vaccine dose, neutralization capacity expands tested Healthy vaccinated showed a limited breadth of neutralization. One dose induced antibodies...
Abstract Background The COVID-19 vaccine trials did not include subjects with IBD or immunosuppression, limiting the effectiveness data of in this population. impact biologics different mechanisms action on antibody concentrations and neutralizing capacity produced by may alter prevention strategies. We aim to describe a comparison humoral response patients between therapies control group. Methods Patients ≥21 years age Crohn’s disease (CD) ulcerative colitis (UC) biologic therapy were...
In October 2020, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Serological Sciences Network (SeroNet) was established to study immune response COVID-19, and "to develop, validate, improve, implement serological testing associated technologies." SeroNet is comprised of 25 participating research institutions partnering with Frederick Laboratory for Research (FNLCR) Coordinating Center. Since its inception, has supported collaborative development sharing COVID-19 assay procedures set forth plans...