Publications by authors named "Maria A Munoz-Fernandez"

Several differentiation protocols have enabled the generation of intermediate mesoderm (IM)-derived cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC). However, the substantial variability between existing protocols for generating IM cells compromises their efficiency, reproducibility, and overall success, potentially hindering the utility of urogenital system organoids. Here, we examined the role of high levels of Nodal signaling and BMP activity, as well as WNT signaling in the specification of IM cells derived from a UCSD167i-99-1 human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) line.

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  • The study investigates the levels of HIV RNA and cytokines in adolescents who have been on antiretroviral treatment (ART) since early in life, focusing on potential indicators for clinical trials aimed at finding a cure for HIV.
  • It enrolled 40 perinatally infected adolescents on ART for over 5 years, measuring various HIV markers and correlating them with clinical characteristics.
  • Results show that lower levels of cell-associated RNA (CA-RNA) are linked to lower levels of cell-associated DNA (CA-DNA), and that undetectable CA-RNA is associated with factors like earlier initiation of ART and higher Western Blot scores.
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Resistance and toxicity associated with current treatments for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection highlight the need for alternatives and immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy. This study examined the in vitro immunological effects of co-administration of Thymosin-alpha-1 (Tα1) and polyanionic carbosilane dendrimers (PCDs) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) during HCMV infection. The biocompatibility of PCDs was assessed via MTT and LDH assays.

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Interleukin 7 receptor (IL7R) is vital in the adaptive immune response against human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV). We assessed IL7RA polymorphisms (SNPs) in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve HIV patients for their association with spontaneous HIV infection control. We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 667 ART-naïve patients categorized by HIV progression (ordinal variable): 150 rapid progressors, 334 moderate/typical progressors, 86 long-term nonprogressors elite controllers (LTNPs-EC), and 97 LTNPs-non-EC.

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Purpose: We aimed to assess IgG antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (anti-SARS-CoV-2 S IgG) in vaccinated mothers and their infants at delivery and 2-3 months of age.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study on mothers who received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BNT162b2, Moderna mRNA-1273, or Oxford-AstraZeneca ChAdOx1-S) during pregnancy and on their infants. The baseline was at the time of delivery (n = 93), and the end of follow-up was 2 to 3 months post-partum (n = 53).

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The study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of the generic intravenous (IV) iron treatment (Feriv®), in a Spanish cohort with absolute iron deficiency (ID) (serum ferritin <50 ng/ml, with or without anaemia) (n = 122; 91% women; median age of 44 years [IQR: 33.7-54]). Iron-related biomarkers were measured before treatment (baseline), 2 weeks after beginning the protocol (intermediate control, IC) and between 7 and 10 days after treatment completion (final time-point).

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IRF5-TNPO3 polymorphisms have previously been related to immune response, and TNPO3 plays a role in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection after nuclear import. Therefore, we analyzed the genetic association between IRF5-TNPO3 polymorphisms and the HIV elite control in long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs). We performed a retrospective cohort study on 183 LTNPs, who were antiretroviral therapy-naïve with CD4  ≥ 500 cells/mm , viral load ≤10 000 copies/mL, and asymptomatic over 10 years after HIV seroconversion.

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  • The study measured cytokines in extracellular vesicles from people with HIV (PWH) who have different control statuses, specifically looking at elite controllers (EC) and their virological control (persistent vs. treated).
  • Results revealed that PWH had higher median levels of EV-associated cytokines compared to HIV-uninfected individuals, with EC showing the highest levels among PWH.
  • Certain cytokines, like IL-18 and IL-3, were identified as key indicators for distinguishing between PWH and uninfected individuals, as well as between different control statuses, suggesting a need for further research on their roles in HIV management.
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  • - The study aimed to analyze changes in metabolites, lipids, and proteins in children with perinatally acquired HIV-1 during a transient viral rebound (tVR) using advanced multi-omic techniques on plasma samples taken before and after the viral rebound event.
  • - Results indicated that while the CD4/CD8 ratio decreased slightly during tVR, significant changes were observed in specific proteins, metabolites, and lipids when comparing post-tVR samples to those of children with consistent viral control.
  • - The findings suggest that tVR and subsequent suppression alter certain biochemical markers in the bloodstream, which are associated with immune functions, highlighting the complex relationship between viral activity and metabolic changes.
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Aims: Vaccine response is poor among children living with HIV. The gut microbiota has been identified as a potential target to improve vaccine immunogenicity, but data are scarce in the context of HIV infection.

Methods: Pilot, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial in which 24 HIV-infected children were randomized to receive a mixture of symbiotics, omega-3/6 fatty acids, and amino acids or placebo for 4 weeks, each in combination with ART, and were then immunized against influenza.

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Introduction: Pregnant women are vulnerable to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Neutralizing antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein protect from severe disease. This study analyzes the antibody titers to SARS-CoV-2 S protein in pregnant women and their newborns at delivery, and six months later.

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  • The study explores how CD8 T cell dysfunction affects the immune response to HIV-1 in people on anti-retroviral therapy, emphasizing differences between those on long-term (LT-ARTp) and short-term (ST-ARTp) treatments.
  • Findings indicate that CD8 T cells from individuals on LT-ARTp show improved functionality and memory response, while those on ST-ARTp have more exhaustion markers and less effectiveness in attacking HIV-infected cells.
  • The research suggests that addressing specific metabolic and immune exhaustion factors in ST-ARTp patients could enhance immune responses, paving the way for personalized HIV vaccine strategies.
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Reliable and accurate quantification of cell-associated HIV DNA (CA HIV DNA) is critical for early infant diagnosis, clinical management of patients under therapy, and to inform new therapeutics efficacy. The present study assessed the variability of CA HIV DNA quantification obtained from various assays and the value of using reference materials to help harmonize the measurements. Using a common set of reagents, our multicenter collaborative study highlights significant variability of CA HIV DNA quantification and lower limit of quantification across assays.

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Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) elite controllers are heterogeneous due to different immunovirological features. We aimed to identify plasma biomarkers associated with loss of spontaneous HIV-1 control in long-term elite controllers (HIV-LTECs). We performed a retrospective study in 60 HIV-LTECs [36 true-LTECs and 24 LTECs losing control (LTECs-LC)].

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  • A study involving 13 hospitals in Spain examined the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to newborns and included data from 177 infants exposed during pregnancy.
  • Results showed 5.1% of the newborns tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, with 1.7% of cases attributed to intrauterine transmission and 3.4% to transmission during delivery or shortly after birth.
  • Most infected newborns were either asymptomatic or had mild symptoms, and maternal factors did not significantly affect the risk of transmission, despite the presence of the virus in urine and meconium samples.
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Infections caused by viruses from the family produce some of the most prevalent transmitted diseases in the world, constituting a serious global public health issue. Some of the virus properties such as latency and the appearance of resistance to antiviral treatments complicate the development of effective therapies capable of facing the infection. In this context, dendrimers present themselves as promising alternatives to current treatments.

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  • This study investigates the impact of nutritional supplementation on inflammation and immune function in HIV-infected children undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART).
  • A total of 24 children were randomly assigned to receive either a nutritional supplement combining symbiotics, omega-3/6 fatty acids, and amino acids or a placebo for four weeks.
  • The results showed no significant changes in inflammatory or immune markers, but correlations between gut bacteria and immune responses suggest that the microbiota may play a role in modulating immune function in these children.
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  • * The study tested a combination of two adjuvants, 2´3´-c´diAM(PS)2 and Poly I:C, which improved DC activation and CD8 T-cell responses in both lab conditions and a humanized mouse model.
  • * Results showed that mice vaccinated with the adjuvant-treated DCs had reduced CD4 T-cell loss and improved CD8 T-cell functionality during HIV-1 infection, suggesting this approach could benefit future vaccine development.
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  • This study explores the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in HIV-1 infections, identifying changes in miRNA expression that impact both the virus's infectivity and the host’s immune response.
  • Blood samples from pediatric patients with HIV-1 were analyzed to compare miRNA profiles between those starting combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) at different times after diagnosis.
  • The findings suggest that starting cART early can improve outcomes, and the identified 34 miRNAs could serve as potential biomarkers for prognosis and therapy effectiveness, though further research is needed for detailed analysis.
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Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a group of multifunctional growth factors that belong to the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily of proteins. Originally identified by their ability to induce bone formation, they are now known as essential signaling molecules that regulate the development and function of the female reproductive system (FRS). Several BMPs play key roles in aspects of reproductive system development.

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  • Youth with vertically acquired HIV (YWVH) show immune abnormalities despite being on antiretroviral treatment (ART), especially with heightened T-cell activation and exhaustion levels.
  • A study comparing YWVH to HIV-negative youth found strong correlations between immune activation markers and the CD4/CD8 ratio, suggesting this ratio may help in tracking disease progression.
  • Overall, ART appears to only partially restore normal immune function in YWVH, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and adaptation of treatment strategies.
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Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) is still a major problem, not only in developing countries but is also re-emerging in several developed countries, thus the development of new compounds able to inhibit the virus, either for prophylaxis or treatment, is still needed. Nanotechnology has provided the science community with several new tools for biomedical applications. G2-S16 is a polyanionic carbosilane dendrimer capable of inhibiting HIV-1 in vitro and in vivo by interacting directly with viral particles.

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Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis in young children has been associated with increased risk for developing recurrent wheezing, but the underlying mechanisms, are not completely defined. We hypothesized that RSV induces a disregulated immune response defined by a distinct cytokine profile in infants at increased risk for developing recurrent wheezing.

Methods: Previously healthy infants less than 12 months of age hospitalized with a first episode of RSV bronchiolitis were enrolled and blood samples and clinical and epidemiological data collected.

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  • * Research has focused on understanding how the virus works and finding treatment options, utilizing cellular and animal models, along with innovative 3D organoid cultures.
  • * Nanotechnology offers a promising avenue for therapy, using nanoparticles to deliver drugs directly into cells, potentially aiding in the development of effective Zika treatments or vaccines.
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