Intranasal Delivery of MVA Vector Vaccine Induces Effective Pulmonary Immunity Against SARS-CoV-2 in Rodents.

Antigen-specific tissue-resident memory T cells (Trms) and neutralizing IgA antibodies provide the most effective protection of the lungs from viral infections. To induce those essential components of lung immunity against SARS-CoV-2, we tested various immunization protocols involving intranasal delivery of a novel Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)-SARS-2-spike vaccine candidate. We show that a single intranasal MVA-SARS-CoV-2-S application in mice strongly induced pulmonary spike-specific CD8+ T cells, albeit restricted production of neutralizing antibodies. In prime-boost protocols, intranasal booster vaccine delivery proved to be crucial for a massive expansion of systemic and lung tissue-resident spike-specific CD8+ T cells and the development of Th1 - but not Th2 - CD4+ T cells. Likewise, very high titers of IgG and IgA anti-spike antibodies were present in serum and broncho-alveolar lavages that possessed high virus neutralization capacities to all current SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Importantly, the MVA-SARS-2-spike vaccine applied in intramuscular priming and intranasal boosting treatment regimen completely protected hamsters from developing SARS-CoV-2 lung infection and pathology. Together, these results identify intramuscular priming followed by respiratory tract boosting with MVA-SARS-2-S as a promising approach for the induction of local, respiratory as well as systemic immune responses suited to protect from SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Targeted delivery of regulatory macrophages to lymph nodes interferes with T cell priming by preventing the formation of stable immune synapses.

Immunosuppressive myeloid cells are frequently induced in tumors and attenuate anti-tumor effector functions. In this study, we differentiate immunosuppressive regulatory macrophages (Mregs) from hematopoietic progenitors and test their potential to suppress adaptive immune responses in lymph nodes. Targeted delivery of Mregs to lymph nodes is facilitated by retroviral overexpression of the chemokine receptor CCR7 and intra-lymphatic cell application. Delivery of Mregs completely abolishes the priming of cognate CD8 cells and strongly reduces delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. Mreg-mediated T cell suppression requires cell-cell contact-regulated nitric oxide production. Two-photon microscopy reveals that nitric oxide produced by Mregs reduces the interaction duration between dendritic cells and T cells. Exposure of activated T cells to nitric oxide strongly reduces their binding to ICAM-1, indicating that nitrosylation of proteins involved in cell adhesion affects synapse formation. Thus, this study identifies a mechanism of myeloid cell-mediated immune suppression and provides an approach for its therapeutic use.

Efficient IL-2R signaling differentially affects the stability, function, and composition of the regulatory T-cell pool.

Signaling via interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) is a requisite for regulatory T (Treg) cell identity and function. However, it is not completely understood to what degree IL-2R signaling is required for Treg cell homeostasis, lineage stability and function in both resting and inflammatory conditions. Here, we characterized a spontaneous mutant mouse strain endowed with a hypomorphic Tyr129His variant of CD25, the α-chain of IL-2R, which resulted in diminished receptor expression and reduced IL-2R signaling. Under noninflammatory conditions, Cd25Y129H mice harbored substantially lower numbers of peripheral Treg cells with stable Foxp3 expression that prevented the development of spontaneous autoimmune disease. In contrast, Cd25Y129H Treg cells failed to efficiently induce immune suppression and lost lineage commitment in a T-cell transfer colitis model, indicating that unimpaired IL-2R signaling is critical for Treg cell function in inflammatory environments. Moreover, single-cell RNA sequencing of Treg cells revealed that impaired IL-2R signaling profoundly affected the balance of central and effector Treg cell subsets. Thus, partial loss of IL-2R signaling differentially interferes with the maintenance, heterogeneity, and suppressive function of the Treg cell pool.

Efficient homing of T cells via afferent lymphatics requires mechanical arrest and integrin-supported chemokine guidance.

Little is known regarding lymph node (LN)-homing of immune cells via afferent lymphatics. Here, we show, using a photo-convertible Dendra-2 reporter, that recently activated CD4 T cells enter downstream LNs via afferent lymphatics at high frequencies. Intra-lymphatic immune cell transfer and live imaging data further show that activated T cells come to an instantaneous arrest mediated passively by the mechanical 3D-sieve barrier of the LN subcapsular sinus (SCS). Arrested T cells subsequently migrate randomly on the sinus floor independent of both chemokines and integrins. However, chemokine receptors are imperative for guiding cells out of the SCS, and for their subsequent directional translocation towards the T cell zone. By contrast, integrins are dispensable for LN homing, yet still contribute by increasing the dwell time within the SCS and by potentially enhancing T cell sensing of chemokine gradients. Together, these findings provide fundamental insights into mechanisms that control homing of lymph-derived immune cells.

Chemokines and other mediators in the development and functional organization of lymph nodes.

Secondary lymphoid organs like lymph nodes (LNs) are the main inductive sites for adaptive immune responses. Lymphocytes are constantly entering LNs, scanning the environment for their cognate antigen and get replenished by incoming cells after a certain period of time. As only a minor percentage of lymphocytes recognizes cognate antigen, this mechanism of permanent recirculation ensures fast and effective immune responses when necessary. Thus, homing, positioning, and activation as well as egress require precise regulation within LNs. In this review we discuss the mediators, including chemokines, cytokines, growth factors, and others that are involved in the formation of the LN anlage and subsequent functional organization of LNs. We highlight very recent findings in the fields of LN development, steady-state migration in LNs, and the intranodal processes during an adaptive immune response.

CRISPR/Cas9 Immunoengineering of Hoxb8-Immortalized Progenitor Cells for Revealing CCR7-Mediated Dendritic Cell Signaling and Migration Mechanisms in vivo.

To present antigens to cognate T cells, dendritic cells (DCs) exploit the chemokine receptor CCR7 to travel from peripheral tissue via afferent lymphatic vessels to directly enter draining lymph nodes through the floor of the subcapsular sinus. Here, we combined unlimited proliferative capacity of conditionally Hoxb8-immortalized hematopoietic progenitor cells with CRISPR/Cas9 technology to create a powerful experimental system to investigate DC migration and function. Hematopoietic progenitor cells from the bone marrow of Cas9-transgenic mice were conditionally immortalized by lentiviral transduction introducing a doxycycline-regulated form of the transcription factor Hoxb8 (Cas9-Hoxb8 cells). These cells could be stably cultured for weeks in the presence of doxycycline and puromycin, allowing us to introduce additional genetic modifications applying CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Importantly, modified Cas9-Hoxb8 cells retained their potential to differentiate in vitro into myeloid cells, and GM-CSF-differentiated Cas9-Hoxb8 cells showed the classical phenotype of GM-CSF-differentiated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Following intralymphatic delivery Cas9-Hoxb8 DCs entered the lymph node in a CCR7-dependent manner. Finally, we used two-photon microscopy and imaged Cas9-Hoxb8 DCs that expressed the genetic Ca2+ sensor GCaMP6S to visualize in real-time chemokine-induced Ca2+ signaling of lymph-derived DCs entering the LN parenchyma. Altogether, our study not only allows mechanistic insights in DC migration in vivo, but also provides a platform for the immunoengineering of DCs that, in combination with two-photon imaging, can be exploited to further dissect DC dynamics in vivo.

Dendritic cells, T cells and lymphatics: dialogues in migration and beyond.

Immune cells continuously recirculate through lymph vessels en route from peripheral tissues to the blood. Leuyte trafficking into and within lymph vessels is mediated by an interply with lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs). However, lymphatic vessels are much more than mere conduits for fluid and immune cell transport. Data accumulating during past several years indicate that LECs support T cell survival, induce tolerance to self-antigens, inhibit exaggerated T cell proliferation during immune response and maintain T cell memory. Reciprocally, leukocytes impact LEC biology: lymphatic vessel permeability depends on DCs while lymphocytes regulate LEC proliferation during inflammation. Altogether, these novel results provide important insights on intimate connections between LECs and leukocytes that contribute to the understanding of immune responses.

Manifold Roles of CCR7 and Its Ligands in the Induction and Maintenance of Bronchus-Associated Lymphoid Tissue.

The processes underlying the development and maintenance of tertiary lymphoid organs are incompletely understood. Using a Ccr7 knockout/knockin approach, we show that spontaneous bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) formation can be caused by CCR7-mediated migration defects of dendritic cells (DCs) in the lung. Plt/plt mice that lack the CCR7 ligands CCL19 and CCL21-serine do not form BALT spontaneously because lung-expressed CCL21-leucine presumably suffices to maintain steady-state DC egress. However, plt/plt mice are highly susceptible to modified vaccinia virus infection, showing enhanced recruitment of immune cells as well as alterations in CCR7-ligand-mediated lymphocyte egress from the lungs, leading to dramatically enhanced BALT. Furthermore, we identify two independent BALT homing routes for blood-derived lymphocytes. One is HEV mediated and depends on CCR7 and L-selectin, while the second route is via the lung parenchyma and is independent of these molecules. Together, these data provide insights into CCR7/CCR7-ligand-orchestrated aspects in BALT formation.

Cell cycle control and HIV-1 susceptibility are linked by CDK6-dependent CDK2 phosphorylation of SAMHD1 in myeloid and lymphoid cells.

Proliferating cells are preferentially susceptible to infection by retroviruses. Sterile α motif and HD domain-containing protein-1 (SAMHD1) is a recently described deoxynucleotide phosphohydrolase controlling the size of the intracellular deoxynucleotide triphosphate (dNTP) pool, a limiting factor for retroviral reverse transcription in noncycling cells. Proliferating (Ki67(+)) primary CD4(+) T cells or macrophages express a phosphorylated form of SAMHD1 that corresponds with susceptibility to infection in cell culture. We identified cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 6 as an upstream regulator of CDK2 controlling SAMHD1 phosphorylation in primary T cells and macrophages susceptible to infection by HIV-1. In turn, CDK2 was strongly linked to cell cycle progression and coordinated SAMHD1 phosphorylation and inactivation. CDK inhibitors specifically blocked HIV-1 infection at the reverse transcription step in a SAMHD1-dependent manner, reducing the intracellular dNTP pool. Our findings identify a direct relationship between control of the cell cycle by CDK6 and SAMHD1 activity, which is important for replication of lentiviruses, as well as other viruses whose replication may be regulated by intracellular dNTP availability.

Increased expression of SAMHD1 in a subset of HIV-1 elite controllers.

OBJECTIVES: SAMHD1 and the CDKN1A (p21) cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor have been postulated to mediate HIV-1 restriction in CD4+ cells. We have shown that p21 affects HIV replication through its effect on SAMHD1. Thus, we aimed at evaluating the expression of SAMHD1 and p21 in different HIV+ phenotypic groups. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated SAMHD1 and CDKN1A mRNA expression in CD4+ T cells from HIV+ individuals including elite controllers (n = 12), individuals who control HIV without the need for antiretroviral treatment, viraemic progressors (n = 10) and HIV-1 seronegative healthy donors (n = 14). Immunological variables were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: We show that a subset of HIV+ elite controllers with lower T cell proliferation levels (Ki67+ cells) expressed higher SAMHD1 compared with healthy donors or viraemic progressors. Conversely, there was no difference in p21 expression before or after T cell activation with a bispecific CD3/CD8 antibody. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that SAMHD1 may play a role in controlling virus replication in HIV+ individuals and slow the rate of disease progression.

Palbociclib, a selective inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase4/6, blocks HIV-1 reverse transcription through the control of sterile α motif and HD domain-containing protein-1 (SAMHD1) activity.

BACKGROUND: Sterile α motif and HD domain-containing protein-1 (SAMHD1) inhibits HIV-1 reverse transcription by decreasing the pool of intracellular deoxynucleotides. SAMHD1 is controlled by cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-mediated phosphorylation. However, the exact mechanism of SAMHD1 regulation in primary cells is unclear. We explore the effect of palbociclib, a CDK6 inhibitor, in HIV-1 replication. METHODS: Human primary monocytes were differentiated into macrophages with monocyte-colony stimulating factor and CD4 T lymphocytes stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)/interleukin-2. Cells were treated with palbociclib and then infected with a Green fluorescent protein-expressing HIV-1 or R5 HIV-1 BaL. Viral DNA was measured by quantitative PCR and infection assessed by flow cytometry. Deoxynucleotide triphosphate (dNTP) content was determined using a polymerase-based method. RESULTS: Pan-CDK inhibitors AT7519, roscovitine and purvalanol A reduced SAMHD1 phosphorylation. HIV-1 replication was blocked by AT7519 (66.4 ±â€Š3.8%; n = 4), roscovitine (47.3 ±â€Š3.9%; n = 4) and purvalanol A (55.7 ±â€Š15.7%; n = 4) at subtoxic concentrations. Palbociclib, a potent and selective CDK6 inhibitor, blocked SAMHD1 phosphorylation, intracellular dNTP levels, HIV-1 reverse transcription and HIV-1 replication in primary macrophages and CD4 T lymphocytes. Notably, treatment of macrophages with palbociclib led to reduced CDK2 activation, measured as the phosphorylation of the T-loop at the Thr160. The antiviral effect was lost when SAMHD1 was degraded by Vpx, providing further evidence for a role of SAMHD1 in mediating the antiretroviral effect. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that SAMHD1-mediated HIV-1 restriction is controlled by CDK as previously suggested but point to a preferential role for CDK2 and CDK6 as mediators of SAMHD1 activation. Our study provides a new signaling pathway susceptible for the development of new therapeutic approaches against HIV-1 infection.

The cortical actin determines different susceptibility of naïve and memory CD4+ T cells to HIV-1 cell-to-cell transmission and infection.

Memory CD4+ T cells are preferentially infected by HIV-1 compared to naïve cells. HIV-1 fusion and entry is a dynamic process in which the cytoskeleton plays an important role by allowing virion internalization and uncoating. Here, we evaluate the role of the cortical actin in cell-to-cell transfer of virus antigens and infection of target CD4+ T cells. Using different actin remodeling compounds we demonstrate that efficiency of HIV-internalization was proportional to the actin polymerization of the target cell. Naïve (CD45RA+) and memory (CD45RA-) CD4+ T cells could be phenotypically differentiated by the degree of cortical actin density and their capacity to capture virus. Thus, the higher cortical actin density of memory CD4+ T cells was associated to increased efficiency of HIV-antigen internalization and the establishment of a productive infection. Conversely, the lower cortical actin density in naïve CD4+ T cells restricted viral antigen transfer and consequently HIV-1 infection. In conclusion, the cortical actin density differentially affects the susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in naïve and memory CD4+ T cells by modulating the efficiency of HIV antigen internalization.

Restriction of HIV-1 replication in primary macrophages by IL-12 and IL-18 through the upregulation of SAMHD1.

Monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) can polarize into different subsets depending on the environment and the activation signal to which they are submitted. Differentiation into macrophages allows HIV-1 strains to infect cells of the monocytic lineage. In this study, we show that culture of monocytes with a combination of IL-12 and IL-18 led to macrophage differentiation that was resistant to HIV-1 infection. In contrast, M-CSF-derived MDM were readily infected by HIV-1. When monocytes were differentiated in the presence of M-CSF and then further treated with IL-12/IL-18, cells became resistant to infection. The restriction on HIV-1 replication was not dependent on virus entry or coreceptor expression, as vesicular stomatitis virus-pseudotyped HIV-1 replication was also blocked by IL-12/IL-18. The HIV-1 restriction factor sterile α motif and HD domain-containing protein-1 (SAMHD1) was significantly overexpressed in IL-12/IL-18 MDM compared with M-CSF MDM, and degradation of SAMHD1 by RNA interference or viral-like particles carrying the lentiviral protein Vpx restored HIV-1 infectivity of IL-12/IL-18 MDM. SAMHD1 overexpression induced by IL-12/IL-18 was not dependent on IFN-γ. Thus, we conclude that IL-12 and IL-18 may contribute to the response against HIV-1 infection through the induction of restriction factors such as SAMHD1.

Trans-infection but not infection from within endosomal compartments after cell-to-cell HIV-1 transfer to CD4+ T cells.

Cellular contacts between HIV-1-infected donor cells and uninfected primary CD4(+) T lymphocytes lead to virus transfer into endosomes. Recent evidence suggests that HIV particles may fuse with endosomal membranes to initiate a productive infection. To explore the role of endocytosis in the entry and replication of HIV, we evaluated the infectivity of transferred HIV particles in a cell-to-cell culture model of virus transmission. Endocytosed virus led to productive infection of cells, except when cells were cultured in the presence of the anti-gp120 mAb IgGb12, an agent that blocks virus attachment to CD4, suggesting that endocytosed virus was recycled to the outer cell surface. Confocal microscopy confirmed the colocalization of internalized virus antigen and the endosomal marker dynamin. Additionally, virus transfer, fusion, or productive infection was not blocked by dynasore, dynamin-dependent endosome-scission inhibitor, at subtoxic concentrations, suggesting that the early capture of virus into intracellular compartments did not depend on endosomal maturation. Our results suggest that endocytosis is not a mechanism of infection of primary CD4 T cells, but may serve as a reservoir capable of inducing trans-infection of cells after the release of HIV particles to the extracellular environment.

Antiretroviral agents effectively block HIV replication after cell-to-cell transfer.

Cell-to-cell transmission of HIV has been proposed as a mechanism contributing to virus escape to the action of antiretrovirals and a mode of HIV persistence during antiretroviral therapy. Here, cocultures of infected HIV-1 cells with primary CD4(+) T cells or lymphoid cells were used to evaluate virus transmission and the effect of known antiretrovirals. Transfer of HIV antigen from infected to uninfected cells was resistant to the reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) zidovudine (AZT) and tenofovir, but was blocked by the attachment inhibitor IgGb12. However, quantitative measurement of viral DNA production demonstrated that all anti-HIV agents blocked virus replication with similar potency to cell-free virus infections. Cell-free and cell-associated infections were equally sensitive to inhibition of viral replication when HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR)-driven green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in target cells was measured. However, detection of GFP by flow cytometry may incorrectly estimate the efficacy of antiretrovirals in cell-associated virus transmission, due to replication-independent Tat-mediated LTR transactivation as a consequence of cell-to-cell events that did not occur in short-term (48-h) cell-free virus infections. In conclusion, common markers of virus replication may not accurately correlate and measure infectivity or drug efficacy in cell-to-cell virus transmission. When accurately quantified, active drugs blocked proviral DNA and virus replication in cell-to-cell transmission, recapitulating the efficacy of antiretrovirals in cell-free virus infections and in vivo.

Endocytosis of HIV: anything goes.

The major pathway for HIV internalization in CD4+ T cells has been thought to be the direct fusion of virus and cell membranes, because the cell surface is the point of entry of infectious particles. However, the exact contribution of endocytic pathways to the infection of CD4+ T lymphocytes is unknown, and the mechanisms involved in endocytosis of HIV particles are unclear. Recent evidence suggests that endocytosis of cell-free and cell-associated virus particles could lead to effective virus entry and productive infections. Such observations have, in turn, spurred a debate on the relevance of endosomal entry as a mechanism of escape from the immune system and HIV entry inhibitors. In this paper, we review the endocytosis of HIV and discuss its role in HIV infection and pathogenesis.

ADS-J1 inhibits HIV-1 entry by interacting with gp120 and does not block fusion-active gp41 core formation.

We had shown that virus resistance to ADS-J1 was associated with amino acid changes in the envelope glycoprotein, mostly located in the gp120 coding region. Time-of-addition and endocytic virus transfer assays clearly demonstrated that ADS-J1 behaved as a gp120 inhibitor. ADS-J1-resistant virus was cross-resistant to the polyanion dextran sulfate, and recombination of gp120 recovered only the ADS-J1-resistant phenotype. In summary, ADS-J1 blocks an early step of virus entry that appears to be driven by gp120 alone.