A Mucosal Vaccine against Chlamydia trachomatis Generates Two Waves of Protective Memory T Cells Scientists describe a C. trachomatis (Ct) vaccine composed of ultraviolet light–inactivated Ct (UV-Ct) conjugated to charge-switching synthetic adjuvant nanoparticles (cSAPs). After immunizing mice with live Ct, UV-Ct, or UV-Ct–cSAP conjugates, they characterized mucosal immune responses to uterine Ct rechallenge and dissected the underlying cellular mechanisms. [Science] Abstract | Press Release Chronic Morphine and HIV-1 Tat Promote Differential Central Nervous System Trafficking of CD3+ and Ly6C+ Immune Cells in a Murine Streptococcus pneumoniae Infection Model Researchers explored the role of opportunistic systemic infection with S. pneumoniae in the recruitment of peripheral leukocytes into the central nervous system and its contribution to HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders in opioid-dependent individuals. [J Neuroinflamm] Abstract | Full Article Measles Virus Hemagglutinin Triggers Intracellular Signaling in CD150-Expressing Dendritic Cells and Inhibits Immune Response Researchers analyzed the effect of measles virus hemagglutinin interaction with CD150-expressing dendritic cells (DCs) on the DC signaling pathways and consequent phenotypic and functional changes in the absence of infectious context. [Cell Mol Immunol] Abstract HIV HIV-1 Neutralizing Antibodies Induced by Native-Like Envelope Trimers Investigators showed that a soluble recombinant HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimer that adopts a native conformation (BG505 SOSIP.664) induced neutralizing antibodies potently against the sequence-matched Tier-2 virus in rabbits and similar but weaker responses in macaques. [Science] Abstract | Press Release Cellular Immune Correlates Analysis of an HIV-1 Preexposure Prophylaxis Trial Researchers showed that HIV-1–specific T-cell immunity can be detected in exposed but uninfected individuals and that these T-cell responses can differentiate individuals according to infection outcomes. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release Cocaine-Mediated Impact on HIV Infection in Humanized BLT Mice Scientists infected humanized mice with HIV-1 following acute cocaine exposure to assess the impact on infection. Stimulant exposure resulted in increased inflammatory cytokine expression, accelerated HIV infection, while blunting effector function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. [Sci Rep] Full Article | Press Release Spontaneous HIV Controllers Exhibit Preserved Immune Parameters in Peripheral Blood and Gastrointestinal Mucosa Investigators found that HIV controllers have a conserved frequency of most immune cell populations in peripheral blood and gut associated lymphoid tissue, but a reduced percentage of CD4+ T cells. [JAIDS] Abstract A Conserved Glycan in the C2 Domain of HIV-1 Envelope Acts as a Molecular Switch to Control X4 Utilization by Clonal Variants with Identical V3 Loops The basis for HIV-1’s initial dependence on CCR5, the selective force(s) that drive CXCR4-utilization, and the evolutionary pathways by which it occurs are incompletely understood. The authors describe five clonal variants with identical V3 loops but divergent CXCR4 use. [PLoS One] Full Article | Press Release Subscribe to our sister publications: Human Immunology News and Immune Regulation News! |