Anti-PD-L1 antibody ASC22 in combination with a histone deacetylase inhibitor chidamide as a "shock and kill" strategy for ART-free virological control: a phase II single-arm study.

The combination of ASC22, an anti-PD-L1 antibody potentially enhancing HIV-specific immunity and chidamide, a HIV latency reversal agent, may serve as a strategy for antiretroviral therapy-free virological control for HIV. People living with HIV, having achieved virological suppression, were enrolled to receive ASC22 and chidamide treatment in addition to their antiretroviral therapy. Participants were monitored over 24 weeks to measure changes in viral dynamics and the function of HIV-specific CD8 T cells (NCT05129189).

Effective in vivo reactivation of HIV-1 latency reservoir via oral administration of EK-16A-SNEDDS.

The latent reservoir of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major obstacle in the treatment of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The "shock and kill" strategy has emerged as a promising approach for clearing HIV latent reservoirs. However, current latency-reversing agents (LRAs) have limitations in effectively and safely activating the latent virus and reducing the HIV latent reservoirs in clinical practice.

Comprehensive risk factor predictions for 3-year survival among HIV-associated and disseminated cryptococcosis involving lungs and central nervous system.

Background: The global mortality rate resulting from HIV-associated cryptococcal disease is remarkably elevated, particularly in severe cases with dissemination to the lungs and central nervous system (CNS). Regrettably, there is a dearth of predictive analysis regarding long-term survival, and few studies have conducted longitudinal follow-up assessments for comparing anti-HIV and antifungal treatments.

Methods: A cohort of 83 patients with HIV-related disseminated cryptococcosis involving the lung and CNS was studied for 3 years to examine survival.

Role of thymosin α1 in restoring immune response in immunological nonresponders living with HIV.

Background: Immunological nonresponders (INRs) living with HIV are at increased risk of co-infection and multiple tumors, with no effective strategy currently available to restore their T-cell immune response. This study aimed to explore the safety and efficacy of thymosin α1 in reconstituting the immune response in INRs.

Methods: INRs with CD4 + T cell counts between 100 and 350 cells/μL were enrolled and received two-staged 1.

Elevated indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity is associated with endothelial dysfunction in people living with HIV and ROS production in human aortic endothelial cells in vitro.

The precise role of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among people living with HIV (PLWH) is still under debate, despite recognized links. This study aimed to investigate the impact of elevated IDO activity on endothelial dysfunction in PLWH. A total of 38 PLWH, who had not previously received anti-retroviral therapy (ART), were enrolled in the study.

Chemokine Receptors CCR6 and PD1 Blocking scFv E27 Enhances Anti-EGFR CAR-T Therapeutic Efficacy in a Preclinical Model of Human Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, a therapeutic agent for solid tumors, are not completely effective due to a lack of infiltration of T cells into the tumor site and immunity caused by Programmed Death Receptor 1(PD1). Here, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) CAR-T cell was engineered to express the chemokine receptor CCR6 and secrete PD1 blocking Single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) E27 to enhance their anti-tumor effects. The findings showed that CCR6 enhanced the migration of EGFR CAR-E27-CCR6 T cells in vitro by the Transwell migration assay.

PD-1 Inhibitor for Disseminated Infection in a Person With HIV.

We report a case of a person with human immunodeficiency virus with disseminated infection, in whom antiretroviral therapy combined with all drugs of anti- activity failed to clear the pathogen. After PD-1 inhibitor treatment, T-cell exhaustion was reversed and -specific T-cell response was boosted, together with clearance.

Neutralization of five SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern by convalescent and BBIBP-CorV vaccinee serum.

The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) is still escalating throughout the world. However, the level of neutralization of the inactivated viral vaccine recipients' sera and convalescent sera against all VOCs, including B.1.

FBXO34 promotes latent HIV-1 activation by post-transcriptional modulation.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cannot be completely cured, mainly due to the existence of a latent HIV-1 reservoir. However, our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the establishment and maintenance of HIV-1 latent reservoir is not comprehensive. Here, using a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 activation library screening, we identified E3 ubiquitin ligase F-box protein 34 (FBXO34) and the substrate of FBXO34, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (hnRNP U) was identified by affinity purification mass spectrometry, as new host factors related to HIV-1 latent maintenance.

Significance of initiating antiretroviral therapy in the early stage of HIV infection.

A growing number of guidelines now recommend that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients should be given early antiretroviral therapy (ART), especially in acute HIV infection. ART during early infection can limit viral reservoirs and improve immune cell function. From a societal prospect, early-infected individuals who achieve a state of viral suppression through ART can reduce the chance of HIV transmission and reduce the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related disease burden.

Circulating (1 → 3)-β-D-Glucan as an immune activation marker decreased after ART in people living with HIV.

Background: Plasma level of polysaccharide (1 → 3)-β-D-Glucan (βDG), as a diagnostic marker of invasive fungal infection has been reported to be elevated in people living with HIV (PLWH). We assessed the association of circulating βDG to inflammation and systemic immune activation and the effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on βDG in PLWH.

Method: Plasma and peripheral blood monocular cell samples from 120 PLWH naive to ART and after 1 year's ART were collected.

The neutralization of B.1.617.1 and B.1.1.529 sera from convalescent patients and BBIBP-CorV vaccines.

The SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.617.

EK-16A liposomes enhance HIV replication in ACH2 or J-Lat 10.6 cell engrafted NSG mice.

Numbers of HIV latency reversal agents (LRAs) have been tested in clinical trials, but with limited effect. EK-16A is an ingenol derivative that isolated from . Our prior studies have suggested that it could reactivate latent HIV and meanwhile inhibit HIV infection .

Utility of urine lipoarabinomannan (LAM) in diagnosing mycobacteria infection among hospitalized HIV-positive patients.

Objectives: Cross-reactivity with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) species might limit the use of urine lipoarabinomannan (LAM) test to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) in people living with HIV (PLWH). This study aimed to investigate the utility of the LAM test among hospitalized HIV-positive patients.

Methods: This prospective study enrolled HIV-positive inpatients with any TB symptom or seriously ill patients with advanced immunodeficiency.

Editing out HIV: application of gene editing technology to achieve functional cure.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) successfully suppresses human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication and improves the quality of life of patients living with HIV. However, current HAART does not eradicate HIV infection because an HIV reservoir is established in latently infected cells and is not recognized by the immune system. The successful curative treatment of the Berlin and London patients following bone marrow transplantation inspired researchers to identify an approach for the functional cure of HIV.

Decline in neutralising antibody responses, but sustained T-cell immunity, in COVID-19 patients at 7 months post-infection.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific humoral responses and T-cell responses in patients who have recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to understand the natural protective immune responses and to facilitate the development of vaccines.

Methods: We conducted a combined assessment of the changes in neutralising antibody levels and SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses over time in 27 patients up to 7 months after infection.

Results: The neutralising antibody remained detectable in 96.

FKBP3 Induces Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Latency by Recruiting Histone Deacetylase 1/2 to the Viral Long Terminal Repeat.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) cannot be completely eliminated because of existence of the latent HIV-1 reservoir. However, the facts of HIV-1 latency, including its establishment and maintenance, are incomplete. FKBP3, encoded by the gene, belongs to the immunophilin family of proteins and is involved in immunoregulation and such cellular processes as protein folding.

CCL19 enhances CD8 T-cell responses and accelerates HBV clearance.

Background: Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 19 (CCL19) is a leukocyte chemoattractant that plays a crucial role in cell trafficking and leukocyte activation. Dysfunctional CD8 T cells play a crucial role in persistent HBV infection. However, whether HBV can be cleared by CCL19-activated immunity remains unclear.

Untargeted GC/TOFMS unravel metabolic profiles in cerebrospinal fluid of Chinese people living with HIV.

Background: Metabolic syndrome becomes a focus of clinical cares to people living with HIV (PLHIV) globally. This study aimed to explore the metabolic profiles in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of Chinese people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Methods: Cerebrospinal fluid samples from PLHIV and healthy controls were collected from our hospital.

Prevalence and risk factors of metabolic associated fatty liver disease among people living with HIV in China.

Background And Aim: The new definition for metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), formerly named non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), would undoubtedly have significant influence on diagnosis, epidemiology, and new drug research. We investigated the prevalence and risk factors of MAFLD among people living with HIV (PLWH).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, transient elastography was performed in PLWH without significant alcohol intake and hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis co-infection is associated with increased surrogate marker of the HIV reservoir.

Background: Tuberculosis (Tb) is the most frequent opportunistic infection among people living with HIV infection. The impact of Tb co-infection in the establishment and maintenance of the HIV reservoir is unclear.

Method: We enrolled 13 HIV-infected patients with microbiologically confirmed Tb and 10 matched mono-HIV infected controls.

Pharmacogenomics and pharmacokinetics of efavirenz 400 or 600 mg in 184 treatment-naive HIV-infected patients in China.

The pharmacogenomics and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of 400 mg efavirenz have rarely been reported. A total of 184 treatment-naive HIV-infected patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive a lower dose (tenofovir disoproxil 200 mg, efavirenz 400 mg and lamivudine) or a standard dose regimen. Relationships between pharmacogenomics and efavirenz pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics were explored at 48 weeks.

Evaluating the Association of Clinical Characteristics With Neutralizing Antibody Levels in Patients Who Have Recovered From Mild COVID-19 in Shanghai, China.

Importance: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) threatens global public health. The association between clinical characteristics of the virus and neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against this virus have not been well studied.

Objective: To examine the association between clinical characteristics and levels of NAbs in patients who recovered from COVID-19.