Robust pro-inflammatory and lesser anti-inflammatory immune responses during primary simian varicella virus infection and reactivation in rhesus macaques.

Simian varicella virus (SVV) infection of non-human primates models human varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection. Assessment of cell signaling immune responses in monkeys after primary SVV infection, after immunosuppression and during reactivation revealed strong pro-inflammatory responses and lesser anti-inflammatory components during varicella and reactivation. Pro-inflammatory mediators elevated during varicella included interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1), interferon inducible T-cell α chemoattractant protein (I-TAC), interferon processing protein (IP-10), and anti-inflammatory interleukin-1 Receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra).

Increased cellular immune responses and CD4+ T-cell proliferation correlate with reduced plasma viral load in SIV challenged recombinant simian varicella virus - simian immunodeficiency virus (rSVV-SIV) vaccinated rhesus macaques.

Background: An effective AIDS vaccine remains one of the highest priorities in HIV-research. Our recent study showed that vaccination of rhesus macaques with recombinant simian varicella virus (rSVV) vector - simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) envelope and gag genes, induced neutralizing antibodies and cellular immune responses to SIV and also significantly reduced plasma viral loads following intravenous pathogenic challenge with SIVMAC251/CX1.

Findings: The purpose of this study was to define cellular immunological correlates of protection in rSVV-SIV vaccinated and SIV challenged animals.

Altered immune responses in rhesus macaques co-infected with SIV and Plasmodium cynomolgi: an animal model for coincident AIDS and relapsing malaria.

Background: Dual epidemics of the malaria parasite Plasmodium and HIV-1 in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia present a significant risk for co-infection in these overlapping endemic regions. Recent studies of HIV/Plasmodium falciparum co-infection have reported significant interactions of these pathogens, including more rapid CD4+ T cell loss, increased viral load, increased immunosuppression, and increased episodes of clinical malaria. Here, we describe a novel rhesus macaque model for co-infection that supports and expands upon findings in human co-infection studies and can be used to identify interactions between these two pathogens.

Optimal preparation of rhesus macaque blood for cytokine flow cytometric analysis.

Background: The rhesus macaque is a common substitute for human subjects in many disease models, including simian immunodeficiency virus, the non-human primate equivalent of the human immunodeficiency virus. Monoclonal antibodies and fluorochromes optimized for use in macaques were included in samples examined for immune responses with the use of intracellular cytokine flow cytometry (CFC).

Methods: Sample preparation was optimized based on the following comparisons: activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) versus whole blood; separation of PBMCs using BD Vacutainer cell preparation tubes versus Ficoll; and activation of samples on the day they were collected versus holding samples overnight.