Project description:Immunization of macaques with simian immunodeficiency virus with deletions in nef (SIV?nef) has been shown to elicit protective immunity to infection by pathogenic SIV, yet our understanding of the mechanisms that orchestrate protection and prevent pathogenesis remains limited. In the study, we utilize whole-genome transcriptional profiling to reveal molecular signatures of protective immunity in circulating CD8+ T cells of rhesus macaques vaccinated with SIVmac239?nef and challenged with pathogenic SIVmac251. Microarrays were used to characterize changes in gene expression in blood CD8+ T cells that occur following vaccination of rhesus macaques with attenuated SIV?nef and subsequent challenge with pathogenic SIVmac251, in comparison to corresponding changes in healthy controls and unvaccinated animals infected with pathogenic SIVmac251 CD8+ T cells were isolated by magnetic beads from the blood of healthy uninfected macaques, macaques vaccinated with SIV?nef, and unvaccinated controls infected with SIVmac251, and used for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays. Blood samples from vaccinated animals were collected prior to vaccination, at 3, 20, and 40 weeks following vaccination. After the 40 week vaccination period, macaques were challenged with SIVmac251, and blood was again collected at 3 weeks following challenge. Blood was collected from the unvaccinated controls at 3 weeks following infection with SIVmac251
Project description:Immunization of macaques with simian immunodeficiency virus with deletions in nef (SIVΔnef) has been shown to elicit protective immunity to infection by pathogenic SIV, yet our understanding of the mechanisms that orchestrate protection and prevent pathogenesis remains limited. In the study, we utilize whole-genome transcriptional profiling to reveal molecular signatures of protective immunity in circulating CD8+ T cells of rhesus macaques vaccinated with SIVmac239Δnef and challenged with pathogenic SIVmac251. Microarrays were used to characterize changes in gene expression in blood CD8+ T cells that occur following vaccination of rhesus macaques with attenuated SIV∆nef and subsequent challenge with pathogenic SIVmac251, in comparison to corresponding changes in healthy controls and unvaccinated animals infected with pathogenic SIVmac251
Project description:This study describes differential miRNA expression in intact colon tissue during acute SIV infection of rhesus macaques. Nine miRNAs were found to be significantly affected by infection, with 5 down-regulated and 4 up-regulated miRNAs. The expression of one upregulated miRNA was further characterized and found to be significantly elevated specifically in response to SIV replication and not immune activation/inflammation accompanying SIV infection. We performed TaqMan Low Density Array based high throughput miRNA analysis on intact colon tissue from 10 acutely SIV-infected and 5 uninfected control macaques. All SIV-infected animals were inoculated intravenously with 100TCID50 of SIV. Out of the ten, one animal each was at 7, 8 and 10DPI (days post infection), 3 each at 13 and 21DPI, and 1 at 29DPI. microRNA reverse transcription and preamplification was performed according to the manufacturerM-bM-^@M-^Ys recommendation. Data analysis was performed using RQ Manager 1.2.2 and DataAssist v3.01 software. Data was normalized using Global normalization method and multiple comparisons correction was performed using Benjamini-Hochberg method.
Project description:The study describes miRNA expression in intact duodenum following chronic delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (M-NM-^T9-THC) administration to SIV-infected rhesus macaques. Chronic M-NM-^T9-THC administration to uninfected macaques significantly and positively modulated intestinal miRNA expression by increasing the total number of differentially expressed miRNAs from 14 to 60 days post infection (DPI). At 60DPI, ~28% of miRNAs showed decreased expression in VEH/SIV compared to none in the THC/SIV group. Furthermore, compared to the VEH/SIV group, THC selectively upregulated the expression of miR-10a, miR-24, miR-99b, miR-145, miR-149 and miR-187 previously shown to target proinflammatory molecules. NOX4, a potent reactive oxygen species generator was confirmed as a direct miR-99b target. A significant increase in NOX4+ crypt epithelial cells was detected in VEH/SIV compared to the THC/SIV group. We speculate that miR-99b-mediated NOX4 downregulation may protect the intestinal epithelium from oxidative stress-induced damage. Twelve age and weight matched male Indian rhesus macaques were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group 1 (n=1) received vehicle (1:1:18 of emulphor : alcohol : saline) and no infection. Group 2 (THC only, n=3) animals received twice daily intramuscular injections of M-NM-^T9-THC and no infection. Group-3 THC/SIV, (n=4) animals received twice daily injections of vehicle and were infected intravenously with 100TCID50 of SIVmac251. Group-4 (VEH/SIV, n=4) animals received twice daily injections of M-NM-^T9-THC similar to group 1 for four weeks prior to SIV infection. Duodenal pinch biopsies were collected before infection and thereafter at 14 and 30 days post infection. All animals were necropsied at 60 days post SIV infection. ~100 ng of total RNA was first reverse transcribed and preamplified according to the manufacturerM-bM-^@M-^Ys recommendation. microRNA expression profiling was performed using TaqMan M-BM-.OpenArrayM-BM-. Human microRNA panels. Data analysis was performed using ExpressionSuiteM-BM-. software. Data was normalized to three endogenous controls (RNU44, RNU48 and snoU6). Delta CT values were calculated by subtracting individual miRNA CT values from an average of all three endogenous controls. Comparisons were made between preinfection and all three treatment groups at 14, 30 and 60 DPI. To determine the effect of chronic THC treatment during SIV infection, comparisons were also made between VEH/SIV and THC/SIV at all three time points.
Project description:The study describes miRNA expression in colonic epithelium of chronic SIV-infected rhesus macaques. We profiled and characterized miRNA/mRNA expression exclusively in colonic epithelium (CE) of 12 chronically SIV-infected and 8 control rhesus macaques (RMs). About 46 miRNAs were differentially expressed (DE) (20-up and 26-down) in CE during chronic SIV infection. Using TargetScan, we bioinformatically crossed the predicted targets of DE miRNAs to genome-wide transcriptomic data and identified several critical miRNA-mRNA pairings that suggested miRNA-mediated regulation of aberrant epithelial gene expression in CE. Immunofluorescence, luciferase reporter and miRNA overexpression studies confirmed the ability of miR-130a and miR-212 to bind the 3’ UTR and downregulate protein expression of occludin (OCLN) and peroxisome proliferator activator receptor gamma (PPAR), respectively, two proteins with pivotal roles in epithelial barrier function. MiR-130a and miR-212 overexpression in Caco-2 cells significantly reduced transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Interestingly, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC) treatment restored TEER to levels observed with control miRNA mimic. Finally, ex-vivo 9-THC treatment of colon tissue from chronically SIV-infected RMs significantly increased PPAR gene expression. Our findings suggest that dysregulated miR-130a and miR-212 expression in CE during chronic HIV/SIV infection can facilitate epithelial barrier disruption by downregulating OCLN and PPAR protein expression. Most importantly, our results highlight the beneficial effects of cannabinoids on epithelial barrier function in not just HIV/SIV but potentially other chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases.
Project description:CD8+ T-cells inhibit virus replication in SIV-infected rhesus macaques (RM). However, it is not clear how SIV infection is controlled in germinal center during chronic SIV infection and limited information exists on the characteristics of CXCR5+ CD8 T cells during chronic SIV/HIV infection. In this study, we used functional genomics to investigate characteristic features and potential mechanisms of CXCR5+ and CXCR5- SIV specific CD8 T cells for the control of pathogenic SIV infection. Six chronically SIV infected RMs, three SIVE660 infected and three SIV mac251 infected that are positive for Mamu A01 allele were selected and SIV-specific CXCR5+ and CXCR5- CD8 T cells were sorted based on CXCR5 expression. RNA from sorted cells were extracted and microarray were performed and analysed. Principal component analysis demonstrated that overall gene expression difference between CXCR5+ and CXCR5- SIV-specific CD8 T cells. Interestingly, the CXCR5+ CD8 T cells revealed a distinct gene signature pattern when compared to CXCR5- CD8 T cells. Unlike the CXCR5- CD8 T cells, the CXCR5+ CD8 T cells expressed higher levels of genes associated with Tfh CD4 T cells such as the master transcription factor Bcl6, CD200, and CTLA4 as well as markers associated with Th2 CD4 T cells such as IL-4R (CD124), CCR4, STAT6, NFATC, and IL-10. Effector molecules typically observed in cytotoxic CD8 T cells such as granzyme A, B, and K were expressed at lower levels on CXCR5+ CD8 T cells compared to their CXCR5- counterparts. CXCR5+ CD8 T cells also expressed higher levels of molecules associated with co-stimulation/antigen presentation such as CD40, CD83, 41BBL and MAMU-DRA. The CXCR5+ CD8 also expressed higher levels of inhibitory receptors such as CD200 and SPRY2 but lower levels of other inhibitory receptors CD160 and CD244. The functional consequence of the expression of these molecules is yet to be determined. Additionally, CXCR5+ CD8 T cells expressed higher levels of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and lower levels of the pro-apoptotic gene annexin, suggestive of their better survival potential during chronic SIV infection. Collectively, these results demonstrate that SIV specific CXCR5+ CD8 T cells possess a unique gene expression signature compared to SIV-specific CXCR5- CD8 T cells.
Project description:This study describes differential miRNA expression in intact colon tissue during acute SIV infection of rhesus macaques. Nine miRNAs were found to be significantly affected by infection, with 5 down-regulated and 4 up-regulated miRNAs. The expression of one upregulated miRNA was further characterized and found to be significantly elevated specifically in response to SIV replication and not immune activation/inflammation accompanying SIV infection.
Project description:The objectives of this study were to determine the molecular mechanisms of host response during transition from primary to chronic SIV infection in the oral mucosa of rhesus macaques Transcriptioinal profiles were determined for 2 rhesus macaques infected for 6 wk with SIVmac251 and compared to profiles of 3 uninfected healthy controls