Project description:In June 2009, the World Health Organization declared the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century, due to the emergence and rapid spread of new swine origin H1N1 influenza A virus. In contrast to seasonal influenza infections, which typically cause morbidity and mortality in the elderly, this virus caused severe infection in young adults and not the elderly. This phenomenon was attributed to the presence of cross-neutralizing antibodies acquired by older individuals from previous exposure to swine origin influenza. However, this hypothesis could not be empirically tested using clinical data. To address this question, we investigated viral replication and the development of the immune response in naï12 years old) and aged (20 to 24 years old) female rhesus macaques infected with A/California/04/2009 (H1N1), one of the circulating pandemic strains in 2009. We compared viral loads as well as the kinetics and magnitude of the adaptive immune response in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage samples (BAL) collected longitudinally for 99 days post-infection. Although, adult animals exhibited earlier T cell responses in peripheral blood, aged animals generated a robust T cell response with comparable kinetics and magnitude as those observed in young animals in BAL. Moreover, aged animals generated a higher hemagglutination inhibition titer compared to young animals. We also measured the concentration of several cytokines in BAL supernatant. With the exception of IL-8, which was higher in aged animals, we found no differences in IFNa, IFNb, TNFa, IL-1r, IL-6, IL-15, IL-17, or MCP1 levels. Finally, we compared gene expression infection using microarray analysis of BAL samples taken on days 0, 4, 7, 10, and 14 pi. Our analyses revealed that the largest difference in host response between aged and young animals was detected day 4 post-infection, with significant enrichment for genes associated with inflammation, the innate immune response, and T cell activation in aged animals. The ability of aged animals to generate a robust immune response, especially antibody response, following infection with 2009 H1N1 virus could explain the lack of morbidity normally observed with seasonal influenza viruses in this vulnerable population. 16 female rhesus macaques (Macaca Mulatta) 10-12 (Adult) and 20-24 years (Old/Aged) of age were used in these studies. Animals were infected with A/California/04/ 2009 H1N1 using a combinatory of intra-tracheal (4ml), intranasal (0.5 ml/nostril), and conjunctival (0.5 ml/eyelid) routes for a total dose of 7x106 TCID50 dose. Microarray analysis was performed on Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples collected on days 0, 4, 7, 10 and 14. Note: One of the Day 0 array did not pass QC metrics so for this animal the average of the other Day 0 samples from that group was utilized. At the end of the study animals were released back to the colony.

Project description:In June 2009, the World Health Organization declared the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century, due to the emergence and rapid spread of new swine origin H1N1 influenza A virus. In contrast to seasonal influenza infections, which typically cause morbidity and mortality in the elderly, this virus caused severe infection in young adults and not the elderly. This phenomenon was attributed to the presence of cross-neutralizing antibodies acquired by older individuals from previous exposure to swine origin influenza. However, this hypothesis could not be empirically tested using clinical data. To address this question, we investigated viral replication and the development of the immune response in naï12 years old) and aged (20 to 24 years old) female rhesus macaques infected with A/California/04/2009 (H1N1), one of the circulating pandemic strains in 2009. We compared viral loads as well as the kinetics and magnitude of the adaptive immune response in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage samples (BAL) collected longitudinally for 99 days post-infection. Although, adult animals exhibited earlier T cell responses in peripheral blood, aged animals generated a robust T cell response with comparable kinetics and magnitude as those observed in young animals in BAL. Moreover, aged animals generated a higher hemagglutination inhibition titer compared to young animals. We also measured the concentration of several cytokines in BAL supernatant. With the exception of IL-8, which was higher in aged animals, we found no differences in IFNa, IFNb, TNFa, IL-1r, IL-6, IL-15, IL-17, or MCP1 levels. Finally, we compared gene expression infection using microarray analysis of BAL samples taken on days 0, 4, 7, 10, and 14 pi. Our analyses revealed that the largest difference in host response between aged and young animals was detected day 4 post-infection, with significant enrichment for genes associated with inflammation, the innate immune response, and T cell activation in aged animals. The ability of aged animals to generate a robust immune response, especially antibody response, following infection with 2009 H1N1 virus could explain the lack of morbidity normally observed with seasonal influenza viruses in this vulnerable population.

Project description:BackgroundVisceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani causes severe disease. Age appears to be critical in determining the clinical outcome of VL and at present there is no effective vaccine available against VL for any age group. Previously, we showed that genetically modified live attenuated L. donovani parasites (LdCen-/-) induced a strong protective innate and adaptive immune response in young mice. In this study we analyzed LdCen-/- parasite mediated modulation of innate and adaptive immune response in aged mice (18 months) and compared to young (2 months) mice.MethodologyAnalysis of innate immune response in bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) from both young and aged mice upon infection with LdCen-/- parasites, showed significant enhancement of innate effector responses, which consequently augmented CD4+ Th1 cell effector function compared to LdWT infected BMDCs in vitro. Similarly, parasitized splenic dendritic cells from LdCen-/- infected young and aged mice also revealed induction of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-12, IL-6, IFN-? and TNF) and subsequent down regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) genes compared to LdWT infected mice. We also evaluated in vivo protection of the LdCen-/- immunized young and aged mice against virulent L. donovani challenge. Immunization with LdCen-/- induced higher IgG2a antibodies, lymphoproliferative response, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine responses and stimulated splenocytes for heightened leishmanicidal activity associated with nitric oxide production in young and aged mice. Furthermore, upon virulent L. donovani challenge, LdCen-/- immunized mice from both age groups displayed multifunctional Th1-type CD4 and cytotoxic CD8 T cells correlating to a significantly reduced parasite burden in the spleen and liver compared to naïve mice. It is interesting to note that even though there was no difference in the LdCen-/- induced innate response in dendritic cells between aged and young mice; the adaptive response specifically in terms of T cell and B cell activation in aged animals was reduced compared to young mice which correlated with less protection in old mice compared to young mice.ConclusionsTaken together, LdCen-/- immunization induced a significant but diminished host protective response in aged mice after challenge with virulent L. donovani parasites compared to young mice.

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Bacteriolytic therapy can generate a potent immune response against experimental tumors.

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Bacteriolytic therapy can generate a potent immune response against experimental tumors.

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