Implementation of a Three-Way Comparability Assessment for a Bioanalytical Anti-Drug Antibody Method.

Immunogenicity evaluation is a critical part of drug development. Regulatory guidelines from multiple health agencies provide recommendations for the development and validation of anti-drug antibody (ADA) assays to assess immunogenicity in clinical trials. These recommendations primarily describe an ADA method run in one bioanalytical laboratory supporting a biotherapeutic molecule; however, there are increasing instances that may necessitate the support of the ADA method being run in more than one laboratory. A program can rapidly expand into multiple clinical studies within one or multiple countries, where the most appropriate way to support the program is by having multiple laboratories perform ADA sample analysis. In addition, there may be certain country-specific challenges that may make it infeasible to transport samples outside of the country for analysis. China for example has a lengthy sample exportation process that has potential to negatively impact study timelines. If multiple laboratories analyze samples using the same ADA method, comparable method performance should be established. Here, we describe a three-way assessment of ADA assay comparability between two US-based bioanalytical laboratories and one based in China.

Anti-TIGIT antibody improves PD-L1 blockade through myeloid and Treg cells.

Tiragolumab, an anti-TIGIT antibody with an active IgG1κ Fc, demonstrated improved outcomes in the phase 2 CITYSCAPE trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03563716 ) when combined with atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1) versus atezolizumab alone1. However, there remains little consensus on the mechanism(s) of response with this combination2. Here we find that a high baseline of intratumoural macrophages and regulatory T cells is associated with better outcomes in patients treated with atezolizumab plus tiragolumab but not with atezolizumab alone. Serum sample analysis revealed that macrophage activation is associated with a clinical benefit in patients who received the combination treatment. In mouse tumour models, tiragolumab surrogate antibodies inflamed tumour-associated macrophages, monocytes and dendritic cells through Fcγ receptors (FcγR), in turn driving anti-tumour CD8+ T cells from an exhausted effector-like state to a more memory-like state. These results reveal a mechanism of action through which TIGIT checkpoint inhibitors can remodel immunosuppressive tumour microenvironments, and suggest that FcγR engagement is an important consideration in anti-TIGIT antibody development.

Pharmacokinetics (PK) of Tiragolumab in First-in-Human Study in Patients with Mixed Solid Tumors (GO30103).

Tiragolumab is a first-in-class, fully human IgG1/kappa anti-TIGIT monoclonal antibody that blocks the binding of TIGIT to CD155 (the poliovirus receptor). We summarize the pharmacokinetics (PK) data from the phase 1a/1b GO30103 study of Q3W (every 3 weeks) sequential dosing of tiragolumab (2, 8, 30, 100, 400, 600, or 1200 mg) followed by atezolizumab (1200 mg), Q4W (every 4 weeks) sequential dosing (tiragolumab 840 mg followed by atezolizumab 1680 mg), and Q4W co-infusion (tiragolumab 840 mg plus atezolizumab 1680 mg). Serum samples were collected at multiple time points following tiragolumab and atezolizumab intravenous infusion in patients with solid tumors for PK and immunogenicity assessment. The serum PK profile of tiragolumab appeared to be biphasic, with a rapid distribution phase followed by a slower elimination phase when administered alone or in combination with atezolizumab. In phase 1a, across doses of tiragolumab ranging from 2 to 1200 mg (cycle 1), the geometric mean (GM), coefficient of variation (CV%), serum tiragolumab Cmax ranged from 0.682 to 270 µg/mL (18.6% to 36.5%) and Cmin ranged from 0.0125 to 75.3 µg/mL (0.0% to 24.2%). The GM systemic exposure (area under the plasma drug concentration-time curve, AUC0-21) ranged from 310 to 2670 µg day/mL (20.5% to 27.0%); interindividual variability in AUC0-21 ranged from 20.5% to 43.9%. Tiragolumab exposure increased in an approximately dose-proportional manner when administered alone or with atezolizumab at doses ≥100 mg. Postbaseline, 4/207 patients (1.9%) were positive for treatment-emergent antidrug antibodies (ADA) against tiragolumab, each at a single time point. Tiragolumab combined with atezolizumab demonstrated desirable PK properties, with no drug-drug interactions or immunogenicity liability. There were no meaningful differences in tiragolumab or atezolizumab exposure between the Q4W co-infusion and sequential dosing cohorts. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02794571 (date of registration June 6, 2016).

An Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity Assay for Detecting Ocrelizumab Neutralizing Antibody.

Ocrelizumab (OCREVUS®) is a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of adult patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). Here, we discuss the strategic and technical considerations needed to develop a robust antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)-based neutralizing antibody (NAb) assay to detect anti-ocrelizumab NAb in patients enrolled in the ocrelizumab registered clinical trials. The NAb detection assay consisted of a two-tier assay that included a screening assay and a confirmation assay. In the screening assay, patient samples were analyzed in the presence of ocrelizumab. Samples that tested positive in the screening assay were subsequently analyzed in the confirmatory assay where another anti-CD20 mAb, obinutuzumab, was replaced by ocrelizumab, to verify NAb specificity. Both assays utilized MEC-2 cells, a chronic B cell leukemia cell line, pre-labeled with calcein AM as the target cells, and natural killer (NK) cells engineered to stably express Fc gamma receptor IIIa_ F158 as effector cells. Both cell lines were prepared to be thaw-and-use cells. The NAb assay measures fluorescence from the calcein AM released into the assay media upon the lysis of target cells by ADCC in the presence of ocrelizumab or obinutuzumab. Our validated NAb assay showed a relative sensitivity of 743 ng/mL and can detect 1500 ng/mL of a surrogate positive control antibody in the presence of 1500 ng/mL ocrelizumab. This ADCC assay is the first reported NAb assay that directly measures target cell lysis by using thaw-and-use target and effector cells simultaneously.

Blood neurofilament light levels predict non-relapsing progression following anti-CD20 therapy in relapsing and primary progressive multiple sclerosis: findings from the ocrelizumab randomised, double-blind phase 3 clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Neurofilament light chain (NfL), a neuronal cytoskeletal protein that is released upon neuroaxonal injury, is associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) relapsing activity and has demonstrated some prognostic ability for future relapse-related disease progression, yet its value in assessing non-relapsing disease progression remains unclear. METHODS: We examined baseline and longitudinal blood NfL levels in 1421 persons with relapsing MS (RMS) and 596 persons with primary progressive MS (PPMS) from the pivotal ocrelizumab MS trials. NfL treatment-response and risk for disease worsening (including disability progression into the open-label extension period and slowly expanding lesions [SELs] on brain MRI) at baseline and following treatment with ocrelizumab were evaluated using time-to-event analysis and linear regression models. FINDINGS: In persons from the RMS control arms without acute disease activity and in the entire PPMS control arm, higher baseline NfL was prognostic for greater whole brain and thalamic atrophy, greater volume expansion of SELs, and clinical progression. Ocrelizumab reduced NfL levels vs. controls in persons with RMS and those with PPMS, and abrogated the prognostic value of baseline NfL on disability progression. Following effective suppression of relapse activity by ocrelizumab, NfL levels at weeks 24 and 48 were significantly associated with long-term risk for disability progression, including up to 9 years of observation in RMS and PPMS. INTERPRETATION: Highly elevated NfL from acute MS disease activity may mask a more subtle NfL abnormality that reflects underlying non-relapsing progressive biology. Ocrelizumab significantly reduced NfL levels, consistent with its effects on acute disease activity and disability progression. Persistently elevated NfL levels, observed in a subgroup of persons under ocrelizumab treatment, demonstrate potential clinical utility as a predictive biomarker of increased risk for clinical progression. Suppression of relapsing biology with high-efficacy immunotherapy provides a window into the relationship between NfL levels and future non-relapsing progression. FUNDING: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

Phase I Study of Safety and Pharmacokinetics of RO7297089, an Anti-BCMA/CD16a Bispecific Antibody, in Patients with Relapsed, Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

INTRODUCTION: This phase 1 trial assessed the safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary antitumor activity of RO7297089, an anti-BCMA/CD16a bispecific antibody. METHODS: RO7297089 was administered weekly by intravenous infusion to patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. The starting dose was 60 mg in this dose-escalation study utilizing a modified continual reassessment method with overdose control model. RESULTS: Overall, 27 patients were treated at doses between 60 and 1850 mg. The maximally administered dose was 1850 mg due to excipients in the formulation that did not allow for higher doses to be used. The maximum tolerated dose was not reached. The most common adverse events irrespective of grade and relationship to the drug were anemia, infusion-related reaction, and thrombocytopenia. Most common treatment-related grade ≥ 3 toxicities were ALT/AST increase and reduced lymphocyte count. Pharmacokinetic studies suggested non-linear pharmacokinetics and target-mediated drug disposition, with a trend of approaching linear pharmacokinetics at doses of 1080 mg and higher. Partial response was observed in two patients (7%), minimal response in two patients (7%), and stable disease in 14 patients (52%). CONCLUSIONS: RO7297089 was well tolerated at doses up to 1850 mg, and the efficacy data supported activity of RO7297089 in multiple myeloma. Combination with other agents may further enhance its potential as an innate immune cell engager in multiple myeloma. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04434469; Registered June 16, 2020; https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/ct2/show/NCT04434469 .

Nonclinical Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Translational Model of RO7297089, A Novel Anti-BCMA/CD16A Bispecific Tetravalent Antibody for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma.

RO7297089, an anti-B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)/CD16A bispecific tetravalent antibody, is being developed as a multiple myeloma (MM) therapeutic. This study characterized nonclinical pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), soluble BCMA (sBCMA), and soluble CD16 (sCD16) changes following administration of RO7297089 to support clinical trials. Unbound and total RO7297089 concentrations were measured in cynomolgus monkeys. RO7297089 exhibited a bi-phasic systemic concentration-time profile, similar to a typical human immunoglobulin 1 antibody. Target engagement by RO7297089 led to a robust increase (~100-fold) in total systemic sBCMA levels and relatively mild increase (~2-fold) in total sCD16 levels. To describe the relationship of nonclinical PK/PD data, we developed a target-mediated drug disposition (TMDD) model that includes the systemic target engagement of membrane BCMA (mBCMA), sBCMA, membrane CD16 (mCD16), and sCD16. We then used this model to simulate the PK/PD relationship of RO7297089 in MM patients by translating relevant PK parameters and target levels, based on the literature and newly generated data such as baseline sCD16A levels. Our model suggested that the impact of TMDD on RO7297089 exposure may be more significant in MM patients due to significantly higher expression levels of both mBCMA and sBCMA compared to healthy cynomolgus monkeys. Based on model simulations, we propose more frequent dosing of RO7297089 compared to regular monthly frequency in the clinic at the beginning of treatment to ensure sustained target engagement. This study demonstrates a translational research strategy for collecting relevant nonclinical data, establishing a TMDD model, and using simulations from this model to inform clinical dose regimens.

Development of an age-adjusted model for blood neurofilament light chain.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an age-adjustment model for neurofilament light chain (NfL), an emerging injury marker in patients with a range of neurologic conditions including multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Serum and plasma samples were collected from a healthy donor (HD) cohort of 118 individuals aged 24 to 66 years, 90 patients with relapsing MS (RMS) and 22 patients with progressive MS (PMS). Serum and plasma samples were assessed for NfL using the SIMOA assay (Quanterix NfL Advantage Kit™). A log-linear model was used to evaluate the relationship between NfL and age and to calculate age-adjusted NfL levels. RESULTS: Higher serum and plasma NfL levels were significantly associated with increasing HD age. Log-transformation of blood NfL levels reduced heteroscedasticity and skewness. A log-linear model enabled adjustment for age-related increase in serum and plasma NfL levels (2.3% [95% CI, 1.6-2.9] and 2.6% [95% CI, 1.3-3.3] per year, respectively). Following age adjustment, NfL did not show significant association with HD sex or ethnicity. While unadjusted serum NfL levels were elevated in patients with PMS (mean age 56 years) compared with those with RMS (mean age 37 years), age-adjusted NfL levels did not differ. INTERPRETATION: A log-linear, age adjustment model was developed to enable comparison of NfL levels across populations with different ages. While additional data and evidence are needed for patient-level adoption, this could be a valuable tool for interpreting NfL levels across a range of patient groups with neurologic conditions.

A BCMA/CD16A bispecific innate cell engager for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Despite the recent progress, multiple myeloma (MM) is still essentially incurable and there is a need for additional effective treatments with good tolerability. RO7297089 is a novel bispecific BCMA/CD16A-directed innate cell engager (ICE®) designed to induce BCMA+ MM cell lysis through high affinity binding of CD16A and retargeting of NK cell cytotoxicity and macrophage phagocytosis. Unlike conventional antibodies approved in MM, RO7297089 selectively targets CD16A with no binding of other Fcγ receptors, including CD16B on neutrophils, and irrespective of 158V/F polymorphism, and its activity is less affected by competing IgG suggesting activity in the presence of M-protein. Structural analysis revealed this is due to selective interaction with a single residue (Y140) uniquely present in CD16A opposite the Fc binding site. RO7297089 induced tumor cell killing more potently than conventional antibodies (wild-type and Fc-enhanced) and induced lysis of BCMA+ cells at very low effector-to-target ratios. Preclinical toxicology data suggested a favorable safety profile as in vitro cytokine release was minimal and no RO7297089-related mortalities or adverse events were observed in cynomolgus monkeys. These data suggest good tolerability and the potential of RO7297089 to be a novel effective treatment of MM patients.

Production of the Cytokine VEGF-A by CD4+ T and Myeloid Cells Disrupts the Corneal Nerve Landscape and Promotes Herpes Stromal Keratitis.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-infected corneas can develop a blinding immunoinflammatory condition called herpes stromal keratitis (HSK), which involves the loss of corneal sensitivity due to retraction of sensory nerves and subsequent hyperinnervation with sympathetic nerves. Increased concentrations of the cytokine VEGF-A in the cornea are associated with HSK severity. Here, we examined the impact of VEGF-A on neurologic changes that underly HSK using a mouse model of HSV-1 corneal infection. Both CD4+ T cells and myeloid cells produced pathogenic levels of VEGF-A within HSV-1-infected corneas, and CD4+ cell depletion promoted reinnervation of HSK corneas with sensory nerves. In vitro, VEGF-A from infected corneas repressed sensory nerve growth and promoted sympathetic nerve growth. Neutralizing VEGF-A in vivo using bevacizumab inhibited sympathetic innervation, promoted sensory nerve regeneration, and alleviated disease. Thus, VEGF-A can shape the sensory and sympathetic nerve landscape within the cornea, with implications for the treatment of blinding corneal disease.

Herpes Simplex Virus 1-Specific CD8+ T Cell Priming and Latent Ganglionic Retention Are Shaped by Viral Epitope Promoter Kinetics.

Reactivation of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) from neurons in sensory ganglia such as the trigeminal ganglia (TG) is influenced by virus-specific CD8+ T cells that infiltrate the ganglia at the onset of latency and contract to a stable activated tissue-resident memory population. In C57BL/6 mice, half of HSV-specific CD8+ T cells (gB-CD8s) recognize one dominant epitope (residues 498 to 505) on glycoprotein B (gB498-505), while the remainder (non-gB-CD8s) recognize 19 subdominant epitopes from 12 viral proteins. To address how expression by HSV-1 influences the formation and ganglionic retention of CD8+ T cell populations, we developed recombinant HSV-1 with the native immunodominant gB epitope disrupted but then expressed ectopically from different viral promoters. In mice, the epitope expressed from the gB promoter restored full gB-CD8 immunodominance to 50%. Intriguingly, earlier expression from constitutive, immediate-early, and early promoters did not significantly increase immunodominance, indicating that these promoters cannot elicit more than half of the CD8 compartment. Epitope expressed from candidate viral promoters of "true late" HSV-1 genes either delayed or reduced the priming efficiency of gB-CD8s and their levels in the TG at early times. HSV expressing the epitope from the full latency-associated transcript promoter did not efficiently prime gB-CD8s; however, gB-CD8s primed by a concurrent wild-type flank infection infiltrated the TG and were retained long term, suggesting that latent epitope expression is sufficient to retain gB-CD8s. Taken together, the data indicate that viral promoters shape latent HSV-1-specific CD8+ T cell populations and should be an important consideration in future vaccine design.IMPORTANCE Latency of HSV-1 in host neurons enables long-term persistence from which reactivation may occur to cause recurrent diseases, such as blinding herpetic stromal keratitis. Latency is not antigenically silent, and viral proteins are sporadically expressed at low levels without full virion production. This protein expression is recognized by ganglion-resident HSV-1-specific CD8+ T cells that maintain a protective resident population. Since these T cells can influence lytic/latent decisions in reactivating neurons, we argue that improving their ganglionic retention and function may offer a strategy in vaccine design to reduce reactivation and recurrent disease. To understand factors driving the infiltration and retention of ganglionic CD8s, we examined several HSV recombinants that have different viral promoters driving expression of the immunodominant gB epitope. We show that the selection of epitope promoter influences CD8+ T cell population hierarchies and their function.

Differential Expression of Immune Checkpoint Molecules on CD8+ T Cells Specific for Immunodominant and Subdominant Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Epitopes.

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) causes a lifelong infection of neurons that innervate barrier sites like the skin and mucosal surfaces like the eye. After primary infection of the cornea, the virus enters latency within the trigeminal ganglion (TG), from which it can reactivate throughout the life of the host. Viral latency is maintained, in part, by virus-specific CD8+ T cells that nonlethally interact with infected neurons. When CD8+ T cell responses are inhibited, HSV-1 can reactivate, and these recurrent reactivation events can lead to blinding scarring of the cornea. In the C57BL/6 mouse, CD8+ T cells specific for the immunodominant epitope from glycoprotein B maintain functionality throughout latency, while CD8+ T cells specific for subdominant epitopes undergo functional impairment that is associated with the expression of the inhibitory checkpoint molecule programmed death 1 (PD-1). Here, we investigate the checkpoint molecule T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing 3 (Tim-3), which has traditionally been associated with CD8+ T cell exhaustion. Unexpectedly, we found that Tim-3 was preferentially expressed on highly functional ganglionic CD8+ T cells during acute and latent HSV-1 infection. This, paired with data that show that Tim-3 expression on CD8+ T cells in the latently infected TG is influenced by viral gene expression, suggests that Tim-3 is an indicator of recent T cell stimulation, rather than functional compromise, in this model. We conclude that Tim-3 expression is not sufficient to define functional compromise during latency; however, it may be useful in identifying activated cells within the TG during HSV-1 infection.IMPORTANCE Without an effective means of eliminating HSV-1 from latently infected neurons, efforts to control the virus have centered on preventing viral reactivation from latency. Virus-specific CD8+ T cells within the infected TG have been shown to play a crucial role in inhibiting viral reactivation, and with a portion of these cells exhibiting functional impairment, checkpoint molecule immunotherapies have presented a potential solution to enhancing the antiviral response of these cells. In pursuing this potential treatment strategy, we found that Tim-3 (often associated with CD8+ T cell functional exhaustion) is not upregulated on impaired cells but instead is upregulated on highly functional cells that have recently received antigenic stimulation. These findings support a role for Tim-3 as a marker of activation rather than exhaustion in this model, and we provide additional evidence for the hypothesis that there is persistent viral gene expression in the HSV-1 latently infected TG.

Establishment of neurofilament light chain Simoa assay in cerebrospinal fluid and blood.

Background: Neurofilament light (NfL) chain is an established cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker for neuroaxonal injury. The highly sensitive Quanterix Simoa™ platform is evaluated for NfL measurement in both CSF and blood. There is a need to link historical ELISA data that use bovine NfL to that of Simoa using a recombinant human (rhuman) NfL standard. Results/Methodology: The Simoa NF-light® Advantage Kit was validated for CSF and qualified for serum and plasma, using both rhuman and bovine NfL calibrators. Matched CSF, serum and plasma samples from 112 multiple sclerosis patients were analyzed using both calibrators. Conclusion: In multiple sclerosis, there is a good correlation between blood and CSF NfL levels. A conversion factor of approximately 5:1 was established between bovine and rhuman NfL calibrators.

Optimization and qualification of the single molecule array digital immunoassay for IL-12p70 in plasma of cancer patients.

AIM: Cytokine/chemokine levels can reflect the pharmacodynamics of checkpoint inhibitors. The single molecule array (Simoa) HD-1 is a sensitive next-generation immunoassay platform for quantification of low abundance proteins, with potential for cancer immunotherapy mechanism of action studies. RESULTS: The Simoa IL-12p70 reagents, standard curve and test conditions were optimized for improved precision and linearity of dilution in plasma of cancer patients. The assay achieved a lower limit of quantification of 0.08 pg/ml, with 27/29 samples recording above lower limit of quantification, precision ≤20% CV and accuracy within 80-120%. CONCLUSION: Simoa enabled quantification of IL-12p70 at sub-pg/ml levels in cancer patients and was superior to Simple Plex™ and Aushon® in overall performance. This study qualifies the user-modified IL-12p70 immunoassay to measure pharmacodynamic changes in plasma during cancer immunotherapy.

PD-L1/B7-H1 Inhibits Viral Clearance by Macrophages in HSV-1-Infected Corneas.

Immune privilege helps protect the cornea from damaging inflammation but can also impair pathogen clearance from this mucosal surface. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1 or B7-H1) contributes to corneal immune privilege by inhibiting the function of a variety of immune cells. We asked whether programmed death-1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 interaction regulates HSV-1 clearance from infected corneas. We show that PD-L1 is constitutively expressed in the corneal epithelium and is upregulated upon HSV-1 corneal infection, with peak expression on CD45+ cells NK cells, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and macrophages and CD45- corneal epithelial cells at 4 d postinfection (dpi). As early as 1 dpi, HSV-1-infected corneas of B7-H1-/- mice as compared with wild-type mice showed increased chemokine expression and this correlated with increased migration of inflammatory cells into the viral lesions and decreased HSV-1 corneal titers. Local PD-L1 blockade caused a similar increase in viral clearance, suggesting a local effect of PD-1/PD-L1 in the cornea. The enhanced HSV-1 clearance at 2 dpi resulting from PD-1/PD-L1 blockade is mediated primarily by a monocyte/macrophage population. Studies in bone marrow chimeras demonstrated enhanced viral clearance when PD-L1 was absent only from nonhematopoietic cells. We conclude that PD-L1 expression on corneal cells negatively impacts the ability of the innate immune system to clear HSV-1 from infected corneas.

Influence of an immunodominant herpes simplex virus type 1 CD8+ T cell epitope on the target hierarchy and function of subdominant CD8+ T cells.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) latency in sensory ganglia such as trigeminal ganglia (TG) is associated with a persistent immune infiltrate that includes effector memory CD8+ T cells that can influence HSV-1 reactivation. In C57BL/6 mice, HSV-1 induces a highly skewed CD8+ T cell repertoire, in which half of CD8+ T cells (gB-CD8s) recognize a single epitope on glycoprotein B (gB498-505), while the remainder (non-gB-CD8s) recognize, in varying proportions, 19 subdominant epitopes on 12 viral proteins. The gB-CD8s remain functional in TG throughout latency, while non-gB-CD8s exhibit varying degrees of functional compromise. To understand how dominance hierarchies relate to CD8+ T cell function during latency, we characterized the TG-associated CD8+ T cells following corneal infection with a recombinant HSV-1 lacking the immunodominant gB498-505 epitope (S1L). S1L induced a numerically equivalent CD8+ T cell infiltrate in the TG that was HSV-specific, but lacked specificity for gB498-505. Instead, there was a general increase of non-gB-CD8s with specific subdominant epitopes arising to codominance. In a latent S1L infection, non-gB-CD8s in the TG showed a hierarchy targeting different epitopes at latency compared to at acute times, and these cells retained an increased functionality at latency. In a latent S1L infection, these non-gB-CD8s also display an equivalent ability to block HSV reactivation in ex vivo ganglionic cultures compared to TG infected with wild type HSV-1. These data indicate that loss of the immunodominant gB498-505 epitope alters the dominance hierarchy and reduces functional compromise of CD8+ T cells specific for subdominant HSV-1 epitopes during viral latency.

Microbial and Isotopic Evidence for Methane Cycling in Hydrocarbon-Containing Groundwater from the Pennsylvania Region.

The Pennsylvania region hosts numerous oil and gas reservoirs and the presence of hydrocarbons in groundwater has been locally observed. However, these methane-containing freshwater ecosystems remain poorly explored despite their potential importance in the carbon cycle. Methane isotope analysis and analysis of low molecular weight hydrocarbon gases from 18 water wells indicated that active methane cycling may be occurring in methane-containing groundwater from the Pennsylvania region. Consistent with this observation, multigenic qPCR and gene sequencing (16S rRNA genes, mcrA, and pmoA genes) indicated abundant populations of methanogens, ANME-2d (average of 1.54 × 104mcrA gene per milliliter of water) and bacteria associated with methane oxidation (NC10, aerobic methanotrophs, methylotrophs; average of 2.52 × 103pmoA gene per milliliter of water). Methane cycling therefore likely represents an important process in these hydrocarbon-containing aquifers. The microbial taxa and functional genes identified and geochemical data suggested that (i) methane present is at least in part due to methanogens identified in situ; (ii) Potential for aerobic and anaerobic methane oxidation is important in groundwater with the presence of lineages associated with both anaerobic an aerobic methanotrophy; (iii) the dominant methane oxidation process (aerobic or anaerobic) can vary according to prevailing conditions (oxic or anoxic) in the aquifers; (iv) the methane cycle is closely associated with the nitrogen cycle in groundwater methane seeps with methane and/or methanol oxidation coupled to denitrification or nitrate and nitrite reduction.

Subclinical Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infections Provide Site-Specific Resistance to an Unrelated Pathogen.

HSV-1 infections of the cornea range in severity from minor transient discomfort to the blinding disease herpes stromal keratitis, yet most patients experience a single episode of epithelial keratitis followed by re-establishment of a clear cornea. We asked whether a single transient episode of HSV-1 epithelial keratitis causes long-term changes in the corneal microenvironment that influence immune responses to subsequent corneal infection or trauma. We showed that C57BL/6 mouse corneas infected with HSV-1 KOS, which induces transient herpes epithelial keratitis without herpes stromal keratitis sequelae, possessed a significant leukocytic infiltrate composed primarily of CD4+ T cells and macrophages along with elevated chemokines and cytokines that persisted without loss of corneal clarity (subclinical inflammation). Chemokine and cytokine expression was CD4+ T cell dependent, in that their production was significantly reduced by systemic CD4+ T cell depletion starting before infection, although short-term (3-d) local CD4+ T cell depletion postinfection did not influence chemokine levels in cornea. Corneas with subclinical inflammation developed significantly greater trauma-induced inflammation when they were recipients of syngeneic corneal transplants but also exhibited significantly increased resistance to infections by unrelated pathogens, such as pseudorabies virus. The resistance to pseudorabies virus was CD4+ T cell dependent, because it was eliminated by local CD4+ T cell depletion from the cornea. We conclude that transient HSV-1 corneal infections cause long-term alterations of the corneal microenvironment that provide CD4-dependent innate resistance to subsequent infections by antigenically unrelated pathogens.

Exposure Stress Induces Reversible Corneal Graft Opacity in Recipients With Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Infections.

Purpose: Most of the inflammation in murine herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-induced stromal keratitis (HSK) is due to exposure stress resulting from loss of corneal nerves and blink reflex. Corneal grafts often fail when placed on corneal beds with a history of HSK. We asked if corneal exposure contributes to the severe pathology of corneal grafts on HSV-1-infected corneal beds. Methods: Herpes simplex virus type 1-infected corneas were tested for blink reflex. Opacity and vascularization were monitored in allogeneic and syngeneic corneal grafts that were transplanted to corneal beds with no blink reflex or to those that retained blink reflex in at least one quadrant following infection. Results: Retention of any level of blink reflex significantly reduced inflammation in HSV-1-infected corneas. Corneal allografts placed on HSV-1-infected beds lacking corneal blink reflex developed opacity faster and more frequently than those placed on infected beds that partially or completely retained blink reflex. Corneal grafts placed on infected corneal beds with no blink reflex rapidly became opaque to a level that would be considered rejection. However, protecting these grafts from exposure by tarsorrhaphy prevented or reversed the opacity in both syngeneic and allogenic grafts. Conclusions: Exposure due to HSV-1-engendered hypoesthesia causes rapid, severe, persistent, but reversible opacification of both allogeneic and syngeneic corneal grafts. This opacity should not be interpreted as immunologic rejection. Exposure stress may contribute to the high rate of corneal graft pathology in patients with recurrent HSK.