Deciphering long-term immune effects of HIV-1/SARS-CoV-2 co-infection: a longitudinal study.

Introduction: While the general immune response to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is well-understood, the long-term effects of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1/Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (HIV-1/SARS-CoV-2) co-infection on the immune system remain unclear. This study investigates the immune response in people with HIV-1 (PWH) co-infected with SARS-CoV-2 to understand its long-term health consequences.

Methods: A retrospective longitudinal study of PWH with suppressed viral load and SARS-CoV-2 infection was conducted.

Torque teno virus: a potential marker of immune reconstitution in youths with vertically acquired HIV.

Torque teno virus (TTV) viral load (VL), a component of the human virome, increases during immune suppression or dysregulation. This study aimed to explore TTV VL in youths living with vertically acquired HIV (YWVH) and its potential as an immunovirological marker. We performed an observational, retrospective study involving YWVH under antiretroviral treatment (ART) from the Spanish Cohort of HIV-infected children, adolescents, and vertically HIV-infected patients transferred to Adult Units (CoRISpe-FARO), compared to HIV-negative healthy donors (HD).

Carbosilane Dendritic Amphiphiles from Cholesterol or Vitamin E for Micelle Formation.

Cationic dendritic amphiphiles were prepared through the linkage of interesting hydrophobic molecules such as cholesterol or vitamin E to the focal point of carbosilane dendrons. These new dendritic systems self-assembled in saline, producing micellar aggregates with hydrodynamic diameters ranging from 6.5 to 9.

Persistent Exhausted T-Cell Immunity after Severe COVID-19: 6-Month Evaluation in a Prospective Observational Study.

Introduction: Severe COVID-19 can result in a significant and irreversible impact on long-term recovery and subsequent immune protection. Understanding the complex immune reactions may be useful for establishing clinically relevant monitoring.

Methods: Hospitalized adults with SARS-CoV-2 between March/October 2020 (n = 64) were selected.

Threshold Ferritin Concentrations Reflecting Early Iron Deficiency Based on Hepcidin and Soluble Transferrin Receptor Serum Levels in Patients with Absolute Iron Deficiency.

(1) Background: The serum ferritin cut-off to define absolute iron deficiency is not well-established. The aim of the present study was to determine a clinically relevant ferritin threshold by using early serum biomarkers of iron deficiency such as hepcidin and the soluble transferrin receptor; (2) Methods: Two hundred and twenty-eight asymptomatic subjects attending a hospital as outpatients between 1st April 2020 and 27th February 2022 were selected. Iron metabolism parameters as part of the blood analysis were requested by their doctor and included in the study.

SARS-CoV2 Infection During Pregnancy Causes Persistent Immune Abnormalities in Women Without Affecting the Newborns.

SARS-CoV2 infection in pregnancy and exposed newborns is poorly known. We performed a longitudinal analysis of immune system and determined soluble cytokine levels in pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV2 and in their newborns. Women with confirmed SARS-CoV2 infection and their exposed uninfected newborns were recruited from Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón.

miRNA Profile Based on ART Delay in Vertically Infected HIV-1 Youths Is Associated With Inflammatory Biomarkers and Activation and Maturation Immune Levels.

Early antiretroviral treatment (ART) in vertically acquired HIV-1-infection is associated with a rapid viral suppression, small HIV-1 reservoir, reduced morbimortality and preserved immune functions. We investigated the miRNA profile from vertically acquired HIV-1-infected young adults based on ART initiation delay and its association with the immune system activation. Using a microRNA panel and multiparametric flow cytometry, miRNome profile obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and its association with adaptive and innate immune components were studied on vertically HIV-1-infected young adults who started ART early (EARLY, 0-53 weeks after birth) and later (LATE, 120-300 weeks).

Early antiretroviral therapy initiation effect on metabolic profile in vertically HIV-1-infected children.

Background: Early combined antiretroviral treatment (cART) in perinatally acquired HIV-1 children has been associated with a rapid viral suppression, small HIV-1 reservoir size and reduced mortality and morbidity. Immunometabolism has emerged as an important field in HIV-1 infection offering both relevant knowledge regarding immunopathogenesis and potential targets for therapies against HIV-1.

Objectives: To characterize the proteomic, lipidomic and metabolomic profile of HIV-1-infected children depending on their age at cART initiation.

Eosinophilic appendicitis due to : a challenging differential diagnosis for clinicians.

A 45-year-old man presents with 48-hour status of high temperature, cough and dyspnoea. In the context of pandemic, the patient is initially diagnosed with COVID-19 syndrome. Later, the laboratory and ultrasound study supported acute appendicitis diagnosis.

BMS Derivatives C7-Linked to β-Cyclodextrin and Hyperbranched Polyglycerol Retain Activity against R5-HIV-1 Isolates and Can Be Deemed Potential Microbicides.

Amides from indole-3-glyoxylic acid and 4-benzoyl-2-methylpiperazine, which are related to entry inhibitors developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), have been synthesized with aliphatic chains located at the C7 position of the indole ring. These spacers contain an azido group suitable for the well-known Cu(I)-catalyzed (3+2)-cycloaddition or an activated triple bond for the nucleophilic addition of thiols under physiological conditions. Reaction with polyols (β-cyclodextrin and hyperbranched polyglycerol) decorated with complementary click partners has afforded polyol-BMS-like conjugates that are not cytotoxic (TZM.

New synthetic procedure for the antiviral sulfonate carbosilane dendrimer G2-S16 and its fluorescein-labelled derivative for biological studies.

The anionic carbosilane (CBS) dendrimer with sulfonate groups G2-S16 is a promising compound for the preparation of a microbicide gel to prevent HIV infection. However, until now its synthesis required aggressive conditions. Hence, a reliable synthetic procedure is very important to face GMP conditions and clinical trials.

Frailty, markers of immune activation and oxidative stress in HIV infected elderly.

People living with HIV-1 experience an accelerated aging due to the persistent and chronic activation of the immune system. This phenomenon conduces to immune exhaustion and precipitate immunosenescence. In general, frailty is defined as a syndrome of physiological degeneration in the elderly.

Combination of G2-S16 dendrimer/dapivirine antiretroviral as a new HIV-1 microbicide.

To research the synergistic activity of G2-S16 dendrimer and dapivirine (DPV) antiretroviral as microbicide candidate to prevent HIV-1 infection. We assess the toxicity of DPV on cell lines by MTT assay, the anti-HIV-1 activity of G2-S16 and DPV alone or combined at several fixed ratios. Finally, their ability to inhibit the bacterial growth was assayed.

Dendritic Cells, the Double Agent in the War Against HIV-1.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infects cells from the immune system and has thus developed tools to circumvent the host immunity and use it in its advance. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the first immune cells to encounter the HIV, and being the main antigen (Ag) presenting cells, they link the innate and the adaptive immune responses. While DCs work to promote an efficient immune response and halt the infection, HIV-1 has ways to take advantage of their role and uses DCs to gain faster and more efficient access to CD4 T cells.

G2-S16 dendrimer microbicide does not interfere with the vaginal immune system.

It is essential that prophylactic drugs do not interfere with the normal function of the immune system. The use of nanoparticles as vaginal microbicides is a promising prevention strategy against sexually transmitted infections. With that aim, our group is working with the G2-S16, a second generation carbosilane dendrimer with sulfonate groups in the periphery, which has been previously shown to be effective against HIV-1 and HSV-2 infection, and it is now on the road to clinical trials.

G2-S16 sulfonate dendrimer as new therapy for treatment failure in HIV-1 entry inhibitors.

Polyanionic carbosilane dendrimers have been shown to be safe and block human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in a multifunctional manner. The aim of this study is to evaluate the appearance of HIV-1 resistance mutations after treatment with polyanionic carbosilane dendrimers. A resistance mutation assay was performed on MT2 cells, viral quantity was measured by ELISA HIVp24 and titration was carried out on TZM.

New anionic poly(alkylideneamine) dendrimers as microbicide agents against HIV-1 infection.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) due to human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) represents one of the most important sexually transmitted infections (STI) worldwide. Great international efforts have been made to stop new infections but, to date, several compounds failed as microbicides at different stages of clinical trials. The quest to design new molecules that could prevent these infections is essential.

Immune Correlates of Natural HIV Elite Control and Simultaneous HCV Clearance-Supercontrollers.

HIV-elite controllers are a minority group of HIV-infected patients with the ability to maintain undetectable HIV viremia for long time periods without antiretroviral treatment. A small group of HIV-controllers are also able to spontaneously clear the hepatitis C virus (HCV) whom we can refer to as "supercontrollers." There are no studies that explore immune correlates looking for the mechanisms implicated in this extraordinary phenomenon.

[Paediatric research in Spain: Challenges and priorities. INVEST-AEP Platform].

Research is the cornerstone of medical progress. Paediatric research has its own nuances and represents an additional challenge due to the intrinsic characteristics of the paediatric population compared with adults. Despite the tremendous importance of childhood health and its impact during adulthood, society is still not convinced about the importance of conducting research in paediatrics.

HIV-Infected Subjects With Poor CD4 T-Cell Recovery Despite Effective Therapy Express High Levels of OX40 and α4β7 on CD4 T-Cells Prior Therapy Initiation.

Background: HIV-infected subjects with suboptimal CD4 restoration despite suppressive combined antiretroviral treatment (cART) (immunodiscordant subjects) have been classically characterized after a variable period of time under cART. Recently, we have reported that an increased frequency of proliferating CD4 T-cells in these subjects is already present before the cART onset. The potential contribution of peripheral compensatory homeostatic proliferation (HP) is yet unknown.

Impact of intensification with raltegravir on HIV-1-infected individuals receiving monotherapy with boosted PIs.

Background: Monotherapy with ritonavir-boosted PIs (PI/r) has been used to simplify treatment of HIV-1-infected patients. In previous studies raltegravir intensification evidenced ongoing viral replication and reduced T cell activation, preferentially in subjects receiving PI-based triple ART. However, data about low-level viral replication and its consequences in patients receiving PI/r monotherapy are scarce.

Anionic Carbosilane Dendrimers Destabilize the GP120-CD4 Complex Blocking HIV-1 Entry and Cell to Cell Fusion.

Cell-to-cell transmission is the most effective pathway for the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). Infected cells expose virus-encoded fusion proteins on their surface as a consequence of HIV-1 replicative cycle that interacts with noninfected cells through CD4 receptor and CXCR4 coreceptor leading to the formation of giant multinucleated cells known as syncytia. Our group previously described the potent activity of dendrimers against CCR5-tropic viruses.