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Møhlenberg M, Monrad I, Vibholm LK, Nielsen SSF, Frattari GS, Schleimann MH, Olesen R, Kjolby M, Gunst JD, Søgaard OS, O'Brien TR, Tolstrup M, Hartmann R. The Impact of IFNλ4 on the Adaptive Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 Infection. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2021; 41:407-414. [PMID: 34788130 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2021.0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic polymorphisms at the IFNL4 loci are known to influence the clinical outcome of several different infectious diseases. Best described is the association between the IFNL4 genotype and hepatitis C virus clearance. However, an influence of the IFNL4 genotype on the adaptive immune system was suggested by several studies but never investigated in humans. In this cross-sectional study, we have genotyped 201 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive participants for 3 IFNL4 polymorphisms (rs368234815, rs12979860, and rs117648444) and stratified them according to the IFNλ4 activity. Based on this stratification, we investigated the association between the IFNL4 genotype and the antibody as well as the CD8+ T cell response in the acute phase of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. We observed no differences in the genotype distribution compared with a Danish reference cohort or the 1,000 Genome Project, and we were not able to link the IFNL4 genotype to changes in either the antibody or CD8+ T cell responses of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Møhlenberg
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Ida Monrad
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Line K Vibholm
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Stine S F Nielsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | | | | | - Rikke Olesen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Mads Kjolby
- Steno Diabetes Center North Denmark, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.,DANDRITE, Deptarment of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.,University of Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ole Schmeltz Søgaard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Thomas R O'Brien
- Infections and Immunoepidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Martin Tolstrup
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Rune Hartmann
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
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Vibholm LK, Nielsen SSF, Pahus MH, Frattari GS, Olesen R, Andersen R, Monrad I, Andersen AHF, Thomsen MM, Konrad CV, Andersen SD, Højen JF, Gunst JD, Østergaard L, Søgaard OS, Schleimann MH, Tolstrup M. SARS-CoV-2 persistence is associated with antigen-specific CD8 T-cell responses. EBioMedicine 2021; 64:103230. [PMID: 33530000 PMCID: PMC7847186 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, most individuals develop neutralizing antibodies and T-cell immunity. However, some individuals reportedly remain SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive by pharyngeal swabs weeks after recovery. Whether viral RNA in these persistent carriers is contagious and stimulates SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses is unknown. METHODS This cohort study was conducted between April 3rd-July 9th 2020, recruiting COVID-19 recovered individuals that were symptom-free for at least 14 days. We collected serum for SARS-CoV-2-specific total Ig, IgA and IgM detection by ELISA, pharyngeal swabs (two time points) for ddPCR and PBMCs for anti-SARS-CoV-2 CD8 T-cell dextramer analyses. FINDINGS We enrolled 203 post-symptomatic participants with a previous RT-PCR-verified SARS-CoV-2 infection. At time point 1, a median of 23 days (range 15-44) after recovery, 26 individuals (12⋅8%) were PCR positive. At time point 2, 90 days (median, range 85-105) after recovery, 5 (5⋅3%) were positive. There was no difference in SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels between the PCR negative and positive group. The persistent PCR positive group however, had SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8 T-cell responses of significantly increased breadth and magnitude. Assisted contact tracing among persistent PCR positive individuals revealed zero new COVID-19 diagnoses among 757 close contacts. INTERPRETATION Persistent pharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity in post-symptomatic individuals is associated with elevated cellular immune responses and thus, the viral RNA may represent replicating virus. However, transmission to close contacts was not observed indicating that persistent PCR positive individuals are not contagious at the post-symptomatic stage of the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Line K Vibholm
- Dept. of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
| | | | - Marie H Pahus
- Dept. of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | | | - Rikke Olesen
- Dept. of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Rebecca Andersen
- Dept. of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Ida Monrad
- Dept. of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Jesper F Højen
- Dept. of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Jesper D Gunst
- Dept. of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; Dept. of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Lars Østergaard
- Dept. of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; Dept. of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Ole S Søgaard
- Dept. of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; Dept. of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | | | - Martin Tolstrup
- Dept. of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; Dept. of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
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Andersen AHF, Nielsen SSF, Olesen R, Mack K, Dagnæs-Hansen F, Uldbjerg N, Østergaard L, Søgaard OS, Denton PW, Tolstrup M. Humanized NOG Mice for Intravaginal HIV Exposure and Treatment of HIV Infection. J Vis Exp 2020. [PMID: 32065160 DOI: 10.3791/60723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Humanized mice provide a sophisticated platform to study human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) virology and to test antiviral drugs. This protocol describes the establishment of a human immune system in adult NOG mice. Here, we explain all the practical steps from isolation of umbilical cord blood derived human CD34+ cells and their subsequent intravenous transplantation into the mice, to the manipulation of the model through HIV infection, combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), and blood sampling. Approximately 75,000 hCD34+ cells are injected intravenously into the mice and the level of human chimerism, also known as humanization, in the peripheral blood is estimated longitudinally for months by flow cytometry. A total of 75,000 hCD34+ cells yields 20%-50% human CD45+ cells in the peripheral blood. The mice are susceptible to intravaginal infection with HIV and blood can be sampled once weekly for analysis, and twice monthly for extended periods. This protocol describes an assay for quantification of plasma viral load using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). We show how the mice can be effectively treated with a standard-of-care cART regimen in the diet. The delivery of cART in the form of regular mouse chow is a significant refinement of the experimental model. This model can be used for preclinical analysis of both systemic and topical pre-exposure prophylaxis compounds as well as for testing of novel treatments and HIV cure strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna H F Andersen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University; Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital;
| | - Stine S F Nielsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University; Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital
| | - Rikke Olesen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University; Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital
| | | | | | - Niels Uldbjerg
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital
| | - Lars Østergaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University; Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital
| | - Ole S Søgaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University; Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital
| | - Paul W Denton
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University; Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital; Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha
| | - Martin Tolstrup
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University; Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital
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