Systems analysis reveals differential expression of endocervical genes in African women randomized to DMPA-IM, LNG implant or cu-IUD.

Although effective contraceptives are crucial for preventing unintended pregnancies, evidence suggests that their use may perturb the female genital tract (FGT). A comparative analysis of the effects of the most common contraceptives on the FGT have not been evaluated in a randomized clinical trial setting. Here, we evaluated the effect of three long-acting contraceptive methods: depot medroxyprogesterone acetate(DMPA-IM), levonorgestrel(LNG) implant, and a copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD), on the endocervical host transcriptome in 188 women from the Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes Trial (ECHO) trial. Cu-IUD usage showed the most extensive transcriptomic changes, and was associated with inflammatory and anti-viral host responses. DMPA-IM usage was enriched for pathways associated with T cell responses. LNG implant had the mildest effect on endocervical gene expression, and was associated with growth factor signaling. These data provide a mechanistic basis for the diverse influence that varying contraceptives have on the FGT.

Increased genital mucosal cytokines in Canadian women associate with higher antigen-presenting cells, inflammatory metabolites, epithelial barrier disruption, and the depletion of L. crispatus.

BACKGROUND: Cervicovaginal inflammation has been linked to negative reproductive health outcomes including the acquisition of HIV, other sexually transmitted infections, and cervical carcinogenesis. While changes to the vaginal microbiome have been linked to genital inflammation, the molecular relationships between the functional components of the microbiome with cervical immunology in the reproductive tract are understudied, limiting our understanding of mucosal biology that may be important for reproductive health. RESULTS: In this study, we used a multi'-omics approach to profile cervicovaginal samples collected from 43 Canadian women to characterize host, immune, functional microbiome, and metabolome features of cervicovaginal inflammation. We demonstrate that inflammation is associated with lower amounts of L. crispatus and higher levels of cervical antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Proteomic analysis showed an upregulation of pathways related to neutrophil degranulation, complement, and leukocyte migration, with lower levels of cornified envelope and cell-cell adherens junctions. Functional microbiome analysis showed reductions in carbohydrate metabolism and lactic acid, with increases in xanthine and other metabolites. Bayesian network analysis linked L. crispatus with glycolytic and nucleotide metabolism, succinate and xanthine, and epithelial proteins SCEL and IVL as major molecular features associated with pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased APCs. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified key molecular and immunological relationships with cervicovaginal inflammation, including higher APCs, bacterial metabolism, and proteome alterations that underlie inflammation. As APCs are involved in HIV transmission, parturition, and cervical cancer progression, further studies are needed to explore the interactions between these cells, bacterial metabolism, mucosal immunity, and their relationship to reproductive health. Video Abstract.

Vaginal epithelial dysfunction is mediated by the microbiome, metabolome, and mTOR signaling.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is characterized by depletion of Lactobacillus and overgrowth of anaerobic and facultative bacteria, leading to increased mucosal inflammation, epithelial disruption, and poor reproductive health outcomes. However, the molecular mediators contributing to vaginal epithelial dysfunction are poorly understood. Here we utilize proteomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses to characterize biological features underlying BV in 405 African women and explore functional mechanisms in vitro. We identify five major vaginal microbiome groups: L. crispatus (21%), L. iners (18%), Lactobacillus (9%), Gardnerella (30%), and polymicrobial (22%). Using multi-omics we show that BV-associated epithelial disruption and mucosal inflammation link to the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and associate with Gardnerella, M. mulieris, and specific metabolites including imidazole propionate. Experiments in vitro confirm that type strain G. vaginalis and M. mulieris supernatants and imidazole propionate directly affect epithelial barrier function and activation of mTOR pathways. These results find that the microbiome-mTOR axis is a central feature of epithelial dysfunction in BV.

Nonoptimal bacteria species induce neutrophil-driven inflammation and barrier disruption in the female genital tract.

Neutrophil recruitment and activation within the female genital tract are often associated with tissue inflammation, loss of vaginal epithelial barrier integrity, and increased risk for sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV-1. However, the direct role of neutrophils on vaginal epithelial barrier function during genital inflammation in vivo remains unclear. Using complementary proteome and immunological analyses, we show high neutrophil influx into the lower female genital tract in response to physiological surges in progesterone, stimulating distinct stromal, immunological, and metabolic signaling pathways. However, despite the release of extracellular matrix-modifying proteases and inflammatory mediators, neutrophils contributed little to physiological mucosal remodeling events such as epithelial shedding or re-epithelialization during transition from diestrus to estrus phase. In contrast, the presence of bacterial vaginosis-associated bacteria resulted in a rapid and sustained neutrophil recruitment, resulting in vaginal epithelial barrier leakage and decreased cell-cell junction protein expression in vivo. Thus, neutrophils are important mucosal sentinels that rapidly respond to various biological cues within the female genital tract, dictating the magnitude and duration of the ensuing inflammatory response at steady state and during disease processes.

Non-Lactobacillus-Dominant and Polymicrobial Vaginal Microbiomes Are More Common in Younger South African Women and Predictive of Increased Risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Acquisition.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent girls and young women aged 15‒24 years in sub-Saharan Africa are at disproportionate risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Given the known association between vaginal microbial dysbiosis and HIV susceptibility, we performed an age-stratified analysis of the vaginal microbiome in South African women and compared this to their risk of HIV acquisition. METHODS: Vaginal microbiome data were generated by mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of cervicovaginal lavages collected from participants (n = 688) in the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) 004 trial. Participants were grouped by age (18-19 years, n = 93; 20-24 years, n = 326; 25-41 years, n = 269). RESULTS: Four microbiome types were identified based on predominant taxa, including Lactobacillus crispatus (CST-LC, 12.2%), Lactobacillus iners (CST-LI, 43.6%), Gardnerella vaginalis (CST-GV, 26.6%), or polymicrobial (CST-PM, 15.1%). Women aged 18-19 and 20-24 years had increased CST-PM and a non-Lactobacillus-dominant microbiome compared to those 25-41 years (odds ratio [OR], 3.14 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.12-7.87], P = .017; OR, 2.81 [95% CI, 1.07-7.09], P = .038, respectively; and OR, 1.65 [95% CI, 1.02-2.65], P = .028; OR, 1.40 [95% CI, 1.01-1.95], P = .030, respectively). The HIV incidence rate of women with CST-PM microbiome was 7.19-fold higher compared to women with CST-LC (hazard ratio [HR], 7.19 [95% CI, 2.11-24.5], P = .00162), which was also consistent in women aged 20-24 years (HR, 4.90 [95% CI, 1.10-21.9], P = .0375). CONCLUSIONS: Younger women were more likely to have a higher-risk polymicrobial microbiome suggesting that vaginal microbiota are contributing to increased HIV-1 susceptibility in this group. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT00441298.

Pre-clinical evaluation of antiproteases as potential candidates for HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis.

Previous studies on highly HIV-1-exposed, yet persistently seronegative women from the Punwami Sex Worker cohort in Kenya, have shed light on putative protective mechanisms, suggesting that mucosal immunological factors, such as antiproteases, could be mediating resistance to HIV-1 transmission in the female reproductive tract. Nine protease inhibitors were selected for this study: serpin B4, serpin A1, serpin A3, serpin C1, cystatin A, cystatin B, serpin B13, serpin B1 and α-2-macroglobulin-like-protein 1. We assessed in a pilot study, the activity of these antiproteases with cellular assays and an ex vivo HIV-1 challenge model of human ecto-cervical tissue explants. Preliminary findings with both models, cellular and tissue explants, established an order of inhibitory potency for the mucosal proteins as candidates for pre-exposure prophylaxis when mimicking pre-coital use. Combination of all antiproteases considered in this study was more active than any of the individual mucosal proteins. Furthermore, the migration of cells out of ecto-cervical explants was blocked indicating potential prevention of viral dissemination following amplification of the founder population. These findings constitute the base for further development of these mucosal protease inhibitors for prevention strategies.

Initiating Intramuscular Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Increases Frequencies of Th17-like Human Immunodeficiency Virus Target Cells in the Genital Tract of Women in South Africa: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Cervicovaginal CD4+ T cells are preferential targets for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and have consequently been used as a proxy measure for HIV susceptibility. The ECHO randomized trial offered a unique opportunity to consider the association between contraceptives and Th17-like cells within a trial designed to evaluate HIV risk. In a mucosal substudy of the ECHO trial, we compared the impact of initiating intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), copper-IUD, and the levonorgestrel (LNG) implant on cervical T cells. METHODS: Cervical cytobrushes from 58 women enrolled in the ECHO trial were collected at baseline and 1 month after contraceptive initiation. We phenotyped cervical T cells using multiparameter flow cytometry, characterized the vaginal microbiome using 16s sequencing, and determined proteomic signatures associated with Th17-like cells using mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Unlike the LNG implant or copper-IUD, DMPA-IM was associated with higher frequencies of cervical Th17-like cells within 1 month of initiation (P = .012), including a highly susceptible, activated population co-expressing CD38, CCR5, and α4ß7 (P = .003). After 1 month, women using DMPA-IM also had more Th17-like cells than women using the Cu-IUD (P = .0002) or LNG implant (P = .04). Importantly, in women using DMPA-IM, proteomic signatures signifying enhanced mucosal barrier function were associated with the increased abundance of Th17-like cells. We also found that a non-Lactobacillus-dominant microbiome at baseline was associated with more Th17-like cells post-DMPA-IM (P = .03), although this did not influence barrier function. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that DMPA-IM-driven accumulation of HIV-susceptible Th17-like cells might be counteracted by their role in maintaining mucosal barrier integrity. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT02550067.

Gut microbiome signatures linked to HIV-1 reservoir size and viremia control.

BACKGROUND: The potential role of the gut microbiome as a predictor of immune-mediated HIV-1 control in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is still unknown. In the BCN02 clinical trial, which combined the MVA.HIVconsv immunogen with the latency-reversing agent romidepsin in early-ART treated HIV-1 infected individuals, 23% (3/13) of participants showed sustained low-levels of plasma viremia during 32 weeks of a monitored ART pause (MAP). Here, we present a multi-omics analysis to identify compositional and functional gut microbiome patterns associated with HIV-1 control in the BCN02 trial. RESULTS: Viremic controllers during the MAP (controllers) exhibited higher Bacteroidales/Clostridiales ratio and lower microbial gene richness before vaccination and throughout the study intervention when compared to non-controllers. Longitudinal assessment indicated that the gut microbiome of controllers was enriched in pro-inflammatory bacteria and depleted in butyrate-producing bacteria and methanogenic archaea. Functional profiling also showed that metabolic pathways related to fatty acid and lipid biosynthesis were significantly increased in controllers. Fecal metaproteome analyses confirmed that baseline functional differences were mainly driven by Clostridiales. Participants with high baseline Bacteroidales/Clostridiales ratio had increased pre-existing immune activation-related transcripts. The Bacteroidales/Clostridiales ratio as well as host immune-activation signatures inversely correlated with HIV-1 reservoir size. CONCLUSIONS: The present proof-of-concept study suggests the Bacteroidales/Clostridiales ratio as a novel gut microbiome signature associated with HIV-1 reservoir size and immune-mediated viral control after ART interruption. Video abstract.

Gut-derived bacterial toxins impair memory CD4+ T cell mitochondrial function in HIV-1 infection.

People living with HIV (PLWH) who are immune nonresponders (INRs) are at greater risk of comorbidity and mortality than are immune responders (IRs) who restore their CD4+ T cell count after antiretroviral therapy (ART). INRs have low CD4+ T cell counts (<350 c/µL), heightened systemic inflammation, and increased CD4+ T cell cycling (Ki67+). Here, we report the findings that memory CD4+ T cells and plasma samples of INRs from several cohorts are enriched in gut-derived bacterial solutes p-cresol sulfate (PCS) and indoxyl sulfate (IS) that both negatively correlated with CD4+ T cell counts. In vitro PCS or IS blocked CD4+ T cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and diminished the expression of mitochondrial proteins. Electron microscopy imaging revealed perturbations of mitochondrial networks similar to those found in INRs following incubation of healthy memory CD4+ T cells with PCS. Using bacterial 16S rDNA, INR stool samples were found enriched in proteolytic bacterial genera that metabolize tyrosine and phenylalanine to produce PCS. We propose that toxic solutes from the gut bacterial flora may impair CD4+ T cell recovery during ART and may contribute to CD4+ T cell lymphopenia characteristic of INRs.

Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Susceptibility, Immunology, and Microbiome in the Female Genital Tract of Adolescent Versus Adult Pigtail Macaques.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, young women 15-24 years of age account for nearly 30% of all new HIV infections, however, biological and epidemiological factors underlying this disproportionate infection rate are unclear. In this study, we assessed biological contributors of SIV/HIV susceptibility in the female genital tract (FGT) using adolescent (n = 9) and adult (n = 10) pigtail macaques (PTMs) with weekly low-dose intravaginal challenges of SIV. Immunological variables were captured in vaginal tissue of PTMs by flow cytometry and cytokine assays. Vaginal biopsies were profiled by proteomic analysis. The vaginal microbiome was assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing. We were powered to detect a 2.2-fold increase in infection rates between age groups, however, we identified no significant differences in susceptibility. This model cannot capture epidemiological factors or may not best represent biological differences of HIV susceptibility. No immune cell subsets measured were significantly different between groups. Inflammatory marker MCP-1 was significantly higher (adj p = .02), and sCD40L trended higher (adj p = .06) in vaginal cytobrushes of adults. Proteomic analysis of vaginal biopsies showed no significant (adj p < .05) protein or pathway differences between groups. Vaginal microbiomes were not significantly different between groups. No differences were observed between age groups in this PTM model, however, these animals may not reflect biological factors contributing to HIV risk such as those found in their human counterparts. This model is therefore not appropriate to explore human adolescent differences in HIV risk. Young women remain a key population at risk for HIV infection, and there is still a need for comprehensive assessment and intervention strategies for epidemic control of this uniquely vulnerable population.

Influence of dapivirine vaginal ring use on cervicovaginal immunity and functional microbiome in adolescent girls.

OBJECTIVE: The antiretroviral-based dapivirine vaginal ring reduced HIV risk among women in phase III clinical trials. However, limited data exists on the impact of dapivirine on the vaginal microenvironment in adolescents. DESIGN: A comprehensive metaproteomics approach was used to assess host proteome and microbiome changes in cervicovaginal mucus with dapivirine ring use in adolescents enrolled in the MTN-023/IPM 030 (MTN-023) trial. METHODS: Participants were randomized 3 : 1 to use dapivirine or placebo vaginal rings monthly for 6 months. Cervicovaginal samples from a subset of 35 participants (8 placebo, 27 dapivirine) were analyzed. RESULTS: Mass spectrometry analysis identified 405 human and 2467 bacterial proteins belonging to 15 unique genera. The host proteome belonged to many functional pathways primarily related to inflammation. When stratified by study treatment arm, 18 (4.4%) and 28 (6.9%) human proteins were differentially abundant (adjusted P < 0.05) between baseline and follow-up in the placebo and dapivirine arms, respectively. The vaginal microbiome was predominantly composed of Lactobacillus, Gardnerella, and Prevotella. Although bacterial taxa did not differ by arm or change significantly, Lactobacillus crispatus increased (P < 0.001) and Lactobacillus iners decreased (P < 0.001) during the 6-month follow-up. There were no significant differences in bacterial functions by arm or time in the trial. Protected vaginal sex significantly associated with decreased neutrophil inflammatory biomarkers and may be associated with changes in bacterial taxa and metabolism. CONCLUSION: Condom use may associate with differences to inflammation and bacterial function but dapivirine ring use does not, thereby supporting the mucosal safety profile of this vaginal ring for adolescents.

Vaginal microbiome-hormonal contraceptive interactions associate with the mucosal proteome and HIV acquisition.

Alterations to the mucosal environment of the female genital tract, such as genital inflammation, have been associated with increased HIV acquisition in women. As the microbiome and hormonal contraceptives can affect vaginal mucosal immunity, we hypothesized these components may interact in the context of HIV susceptibility. Using previously published microbiome data from 685 women in the CAPRISA-004 trial, we compared relative risk of HIV acquisition in this cohort who were using injectable depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN), and combined oral contraceptives (COC). In women who were Lactobacillus-dominant, HIV acquisition was 3-fold higher in women using DMPA relative to women using NET-EN or COC (OR: 3.27; 95% CI: 1.24-11.24, P = 0.0305). This was not observed in non-Lactobacillus-dominant women (OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.44-2.15, P = 0.895) (interaction P = 0.0686). Higher serum MPA levels associated with increased molecular pathways of inflammation in the vaginal mucosal fluid of Lactobacillus-dominant women, but no differences were seen in non-Lactobacillus dominant women. This study provides data suggesting an interaction between the microbiome, hormonal contraceptives, and HIV susceptibility.

Treatment with Commonly Used Antiretroviral Drugs Induces a Type I/III Interferon Signature in the Gut in the Absence of HIV Infection.

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC) are used for HIV treatment and prevention. Previously, we found that topical rectal tenofovir gel caused immunological changes in the mucosa. Here, we assess the effect of oral TDF/FTC in three HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis trials, two with gastrointestinal and one with cervicovaginal biopsies. TDF/FTC induces type I/III interferon-related (IFN I/III) genes in the gastrointestinal tract, but not blood, with strong correlations between the two independent rectal biopsy groups (Spearman r = 0.91) and between the rectum and duodenum (r = 0.81). Gene set testing also indicates stimulation of the type I/III pathways in the ectocervix and of cellular proliferation in the duodenum. mRNA sequencing, digital droplet PCR, proteomics, and immunofluorescence confirm IFN I/III pathway stimulation in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, oral TDF/FTC stimulates an IFN I/III signature throughout the gut, which could increase antiviral efficacy but also cause chronic immune activation in HIV prevention and treatment settings.

The neovaginal microbiome of transgender women post-gender reassignment surgery.

BACKGROUND: Gender reassignment surgery is a procedure some transgender women (TW) undergo for gender-affirming purposes. This often includes the construction of a neovagina using existing penile and scrotal tissue and/or a sigmoid colon graft. There are limited data regarding the composition and function of the neovaginal microbiome representing a major gap in knowledge in neovaginal health. RESULTS: Metaproteomics was performed on secretions collected from the neovaginas (n = 5) and rectums (n = 7) of TW surgically reassigned via penile inversion/scrotal graft with (n = 1) or without (n = 4) a sigmoid colon graft extension and compared with secretions from cis vaginas (n = 32). We identified 541 unique bacterial proteins from 38 taxa. The most abundant taxa in the neovaginas were Porphyromonas (30.2%), Peptostreptococcus (9.2%), Prevotella (9.0%), Mobiluncus (8.0%), and Jonquetella (7.2%), while cis vaginas were primarily Lactobacillus and Gardnerella. Rectal samples were mainly composed of Prevotella and Roseburia. Neovaginas (median Shannon's H index = 1.33) had higher alpha diversity compared to cis vaginas (Shannon's H = 0.35) (p = 7.2E-3, Mann-Whitney U test) and were more similar to the non-Lactobacillus dominant/polymicrobial cis vaginas based on beta diversity (perMANOVA, p = 0.001, r2 = 0.342). In comparison to cis vaginas, toll-like receptor response, amino acid, and short-chain fatty acid metabolic pathways were increased (p < 0.01), while keratinization and cornification proteins were decreased (p < 0.001) in the neovaginal proteome. CONCLUSIONS: Penile skin-lined neovaginas have diverse, polymicrobial communities that show similarities in composition to uncircumcised penises and host responses to cis vaginas with bacterial vaginosis (BV) including increased immune activation pathways and decreased epithelial barrier function. Developing a better understanding of microbiome-associated inflammation in the neovaginal environment will be important for improving our knowledge of neovaginal health. Video Abstract.

Pregnancy associates with alterations to the host and microbial proteome in vaginal mucosa.

PROBLEM: Pregnant women are at increased risk of HIV acquisition, but the biological mechanisms contributing to this observation are not well understood. METHOD OF STUDY: Here, we assessed host immune and microbiome differences in the vaginal mucosa of healthy pregnant and non-pregnant women using a metaproteomics approach. Cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) samples were collected from 23 pregnant and 25 non-pregnant women. RESULTS: Mass spectrometry analysis of CVL identified 550 human proteins and 376 bacterial proteins from 11 genera. Host proteome analysis indicated 56 human proteins (10%) were differentially abundant (P < .05) between pregnant and non-pregnant women, including proteins involved in angiogenesis (P = 3.36E-3), cell movement of phagocytes (P = 1.34E-6), and permeability of blood vessels (P = 1.27E-4). The major bacterial genera identified were Lactobacillus, Gardnerella, Prevotella, Megasphaera, and Atopobium. Pregnant women had higher levels of Lactobacillus species (P = .017) compared with non-pregnant women. Functional pathway analysis indicated that pregnancy associated with changes to bacterial metabolic pathway involved in energy metabolism, which were increased in pregnant women (P = .035). CONCLUSION: Overall, pregnant women showed differences in the cervicovaginal proteome and microbiome that may be important for HIV infection risk.

Plasma concentration of injectable contraceptive correlates with reduced cervicovaginal growth factor expression in South African women.

Long-acting injectable contraceptives have been associated with mucosal immune changes and increased HIV acquisition, but studies have often been hampered by the inaccuracy of self-reported data, unknown timing of injection, and interactions with mucosal transmission co-factors. We used mass spectrometry to quantify the plasma concentrations of injectable contraceptives in women from the CAPRISA004 study (n = 664), with parallel quantification of 48 cytokines and >500 host proteins in cervicovaginal lavage. Higher DMPA levels were associated with reduced CVL concentrations of GCSF, MCSF, IL-16, CTACK, LIF, IL-1α, and SCGF-ß in adjusted linear mixed models. Dose-dependent relationships between DMPA concentration and genital cytokines were frequently observed. Unsupervised clustering of host proteins by DMPA concentration suggest that women with low DMPA had increases in proteins associated with mucosal fluid function, growth factors, and keratinization. Although DMPA was not broadly pro-inflammatory, DMPA was associated with increased IP-10 in HSV-2 seropositive and older women. DMPA-cytokine associations frequently differed by vaginal microbiome; in non-Lactobacillus-dominant women, DMPA was associated with elevated IL-8, MCP-1, and IP-10 concentrations. These data confirm a direct, concentration-dependant effect of DMPA on functionally important immune factors within the vaginal compartment. The biological effects of DMPA may vary depending on age, HSV-2 status, and vaginal microbiome composition.

Intestinal proteomic analysis of a novel non-human primate model of experimental colitis reveals signatures of mitochondrial and metabolic dysfunction.

Animal models recapitulating features of chronic colitis, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or HIV infection, are critical to study disease pathogenesis and test novel therapeutics. In this study, we used a proteomics approach to explore the molecular intestinal response in two rhesus macaque (RM) animal models of experimentally induced colitis using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection. Proteomic analysis detected more than 2500 proteins in colonic tissue collected from 30 RMs. Differential protein expression analysis revealed a protein expression pattern in DSS-treated RMs resembling the proteome of human ulcerative colitis. In a group of 12 DSS-treated RMs compared to 6 with no treatment, decrease in expression of proteins related to mitochondrial energy metabolism, including fatty acid metabolism was noted, while innate immune activation pathways, including complement and coagulation proteins were upregulated. SIV infection of RMs resulted in increased innate immune responses related to viral defense. Proteomic signatures of barrier damage were apparent in both DSS treatment or SIV infection. These results demonstrate that DSS treatment in a non-human primate model resembles features of human ulcerative colitis, making this a promising tool to study important immunological mechanisms in inflammatory bowel disease.

Acute Infection and Subsequent Subclinical Reactivation of Herpes Simplex Virus 2 after Vaginal Inoculation of Rhesus Macaques.

Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is a common sexually transmitted infection with a highly variable clinical course. Many infections quickly become subclinical, with episodes of spontaneous virus reactivation. To study host-HSV-2 interactions, an animal model of subclinical HSV-2 infection is needed. In an effort to develop a relevant model, rhesus macaques (RM) were inoculated intravaginally with two or three HSV-2 strains (186, 333, and/or G) at a total dose of 1 × 107 PFU of HSV-2 per animal. Infectious HSV-2 and HSV-2 DNA were consistently shed in vaginal swabs for the first 7 to 14 days after each inoculation. Proteins associated with wound healing, innate immunity, and inflammation were significantly increased in cervical secretions immediately after HSV-2 inoculation. There was histologic evidence of acute herpesvirus pathology, including acantholysis in the squamous epithelium and ballooning degeneration of and intranuclear inclusion bodies in epithelial cells, with HSV antigen in mucosal epithelial cells and keratinocytes. Further, an intense inflammatory infiltrate was found in the cervix and vulva. Evidence of latent infection and reactivation was demonstrated by the detection of spontaneous HSV-2 shedding post-acute inoculation (102 to 103 DNA copies/swab) in 80% of RM. Further, HSV-2 DNA was detected in ganglia in most necropsied animals. HSV-2-specifc T-cell responses were detected in all animals, although antibodies to HSV-2 were detected in only 30% of the animals. Thus, HSV-2 infection of RM recapitulates many of the key features of subclinical HSV-2 infection in women but seems to be more limited, as virus shedding was undetectable more than 40 days after the last virus inoculation.IMPORTANCE Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) infects nearly 500 million persons globally, with an estimated 21 million incident cases each year, making it one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). HSV-2 is associated with increased human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) acquisition, and this risk does not decline with the use of antiherpes drugs. As initial acquisition of both HIV and HSV-2 infections is subclinical, study of the initial molecular interactions of the two agents requires an animal model. We found that HSV-2 can infect RM after vaginal inoculation, establish latency in the nervous system, and spontaneously reactivate; these features mimic some of the key features of HSV-2 infection in women. RM may provide an animal model to develop strategies to prevent HSV-2 acquisition and reactivation.

A High-throughput Bead-based Affinity Assay Enables Analysis of Genital Protein Signatures in Women At Risk of HIV Infection.

Women at high risk of HIV infection, including sex workers and those with active genital inflammation, have molecular signatures of immune activation and epithelial barrier remodeling in samples of their genital mucosa. These alterations in the local immunological milieu are likely to impact HIV susceptibility. We here analyze host genital protein signatures in HIV uninfected women, with high frequency of condom use, living in HIV-serodiscordant relationships. Cervicovaginal secretions from women living in HIV-serodiscordant relationships (n = 62) were collected at three time points over 12 months. Women living in HIV-negative seroconcordant relationships (controls, n = 25) were sampled at one time point. All study subjects were examined for demographic parameters associated with susceptibility to HIV infection. The cervicovaginal samples were analyzed using a high-throughput bead-based affinity assay. Proteins involved in epithelial barrier function and inflammation were increased in HIV-serodiscordant women. By combining several methods of analysis, a total of five proteins (CAPG, KLK10, SPRR3, elafin/PI3, CSTB) were consistently associated with this study group. Proteins analyzed using the affinity set-up were further validated by label-free tandem mass spectrometry in a partially overlapping cohort with concordant results. Women living in HIV-serodiscordant relationships thus had elevated levels of proteins involved in epithelial barrier function and inflammation despite low prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and a high frequency of safe sex practices. The identified proteins are important markers to follow during assessment of mucosal HIV susceptibility factors and a high-throughput bead-based affinity set-up could be a suitable method for such evaluation.

Impact of the griffithsin anti-HIV microbicide and placebo gels on the rectal mucosal proteome and microbiome in non-human primates.

Topical microbicides are being explored as an HIV prevention method for individuals who practice receptive anal intercourse. In vivo studies of these microbicides are critical to confirm safety. Here, we evaluated the impact of a rectal microbicide containing the antiviral lectin, Griffithsin (GRFT), on the rectal mucosal proteome and microbiome. Using a randomized, crossover placebo-controlled design, six rhesus macaques received applications of hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC)- or carbopol-formulated 0.1% GRFT gels. Rectal mucosal samples were then evaluated by label-free tandem MS/MS and 16 S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, for proteomics and microbiome analyses, respectively. Compared to placebo, GRFT gels were not associated with any significant changes to protein levels at any time point (FDR < 5%), but increased abundances of two common and beneficial microbial taxa after 24 hours were observed in HEC-GRFT gel (p < 2E-09). Compared to baseline, both placebo formulations were associated with alterations to proteins involved in proteolysis, activation of the immune response and inflammation after 2 hours (p < 0.0001), and increases in beneficial Faecalibacterium spp. after 24 hours in HEC placebo gel (p = 4.21E-15). This study supports the safety profile of 0.1% GRFT gel as an anti-HIV microbicide and demonstrates that current placebo formulations may associate with changes to rectal proteome and microbiota.