Publications by authors named "Sacha J"

Lymphocryptoviruses (LCVs) are ubiquitous gamma-herpesviruses that establish life-long infections in both humans and non-human primates (NHPs). In immunocompromised hosts, LCV infections are commonly associated with B cell disorders and malignancies such as lymphoma. In this study, we evaluated simian LCV-encoded small microRNAs (miRNAs) present in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) derived from a Mauritian cynomolgus macaque () with cyLCV-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) as well as the viral miRNAs expressed in a baboon () LCL that harbors CeHV12.

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Introduction: Impella CP is a percutaneous left ventricle assist device used in selected patients undergoing high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions (HR-PCI). To improve outcomes after Impella-supported HR-PCI, institutional Impella programs have been developed.

Objectives: We evaluated the association between the standardized periprocedural management algorithm and outcomes of patients undergoing HR-PCI in the national IMPELLA-PL Registry.

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Predicting coronary artery occlusion after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is usually based on computed tomography angiography (CTA). The primary risk factors seem to be a low coronary artery take-off and a small aortic root. However, CTA sometimes provides ambiguous risk assessment, and even if a potentially risky coronary artery is secured with a guidewire, the need for coronary stenting after valve implantation often remains uncertain.

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Background: Patients with severe aortic stenosis present frequently (∼50%) with concomitant obstructive coronary artery disease. Current guidelines recommend combined surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) as the preferred treatment. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) represent a valid treatment alternative.

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Immunocompromised individuals are at risk for developing lymphocryptovirus-associated lymphoproliferative diseases, such as Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-associated B cell lymphomas and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). We previously reported development of cynomolgus lymphocryptovirus (CyLCV)-associated PTLD in Mauritian cynomolgus macaques (MCMs) undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), which mirrored EBV-PTLD in transplant patients. Here, we sought to develop a MCM model of lymphocryptovirus-associated lymphoproliferative disease in immunosuppressed MCMs without HSCT.

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Purpose Of Review: Long-lasting HIV remission has been reported in a small group of people with HIV (PWH) following allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. While the mechanisms of HIV remission following release from antiretroviral therapy (ART) were not initially known, subsequent findings from clinical cases and preclinical nonhuman primate studies have implicated mechanisms of clearance. Here, we review the six currently published human cases of long-term ART-free HIV remission.

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Article Synopsis
  • Rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) vectors help control simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) by activating CD8 T cells that are restricted by major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-E.
  • The effectiveness of these responses relies on the deletion of eight specific RhCMV gene sequences that are also found in human cytomegalovirus (HCMV).
  • HCMV's UL18 gene inhibits unconventional T cell activation by binding to an receptor (LIR-1), so removing this binding ability from the HCMV genes in vaccines could enhance the induction of protective MHC-E-restricted T cells.
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Purpose: Early in the course of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic it was hypothesised that host genetics played a role in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 including a suggestion that the CCR5-Δ32 mutation may be protective in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Leronlimab is an investigational CCR5-specific humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody currently in development for HIV-1 infection. We aimed to explore the impact of leronlimab on the severity of disease symptoms among participants with mild-to-moderate COVID-19.

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Prenatal administration of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is a strategy that could be exploited to prevent viral infections during pregnancy and early life. To reach protective levels in fetuses, mAbs must be transported across the placenta, a selective barrier that actively and specifically promotes the transfer of antibodies (Abs) into the fetus through the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). Because FcRn also regulates Ab half-life, Fc mutations like the M428L/N434S, commonly known as LS mutations, and others have been developed to enhance binding affinity to FcRn and improve drug pharmacokinetics.

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Transmission of HIV-1 to newborns and infants remains high, with 130,000 new infections in 2022 in resource-limited settings. Half of HIV-infected newborns, if untreated, progress to disease and death within 2 years. While immunologic immaturity likely promotes pathogenesis and poor viral control, little is known about immune damage in newborns and infants.

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Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) vaccines based upon 68-1 Rhesus Cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) vectors show remarkable protection against pathogenic SIVmac239 challenge. Across multiple independent rhesus macaque (RM) challenge studies, nearly 60% of vaccinated RM show early, complete arrest of SIVmac239 replication after effective challenge, whereas the remainder show progressive infection similar to controls. Here, we performed viral sequencing to determine whether the failure to control viral replication in non-protected RMs is associated with the acquisition of viral escape mutations.

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Current antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens efficiently limit HIV replication, thereby improving the life expectancy of people living with HIV; however, they also cause metabolic side effects. The ongoing obesity epidemic has resulted in more people with metabolic comorbidities at the time of HIV infection, yet the effect of preexisting metabolic dysregulation on infection sequelae and response to ART is unclear. Here, to investigate the impact of preexisting obesity and insulin resistance on acute infection and subsequent long-term ART, we infected a cohort of lean and obese adult male macaques with SIV and administered ART.

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An influenza vaccine approach that overcomes the problem of viral sequence diversity and provides long-lived heterosubtypic protection is urgently needed to protect against pandemic influenza viruses. Here, to determine if lung-resident effector memory T cells induced by cytomegalovirus (CMV)-vectored vaccines expressing conserved internal influenza antigens could protect against lethal influenza challenge, we immunize Mauritian cynomolgus macaques (MCM) with cynomolgus CMV (CyCMV) vaccines expressing H1N1 1918 influenza M1, NP, and PB1 antigens (CyCMV/Flu), and challenge with heterologous, aerosolized avian H5N1 influenza. All six unvaccinated MCM died by seven days post infection with acute respiratory distress, while 54.

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Combinational antiretroviral therapy (cART) suppresses human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) viral replication and pathogenesis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. However, HIV-1 remains in the latent stage of infection by suppressing viral transcription, which hinders an HIV-1 cure. One approach for an HIV-1 cure is the "shock and kill" strategy.

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TIGIT is a negative immune checkpoint receptor associated with T cell exhaustion in cancer and HIV. TIGIT upregulation in virus-specific CD8 T cells and NK cells during HIV/SIV infection results in dysfunctional effector capabilities. studies targeting TIGIT on CD8 T cells suggest TIGIT blockade as a viable strategy to restore SIV-specific T cell responses.

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Arborists work in high-risk environments, particularly when climbing trees, where a combination of grip strength and resistance to psychological stress are important attributes for safety. This study investigated the physical and cognitive activities of arborists combined with selected workload factors such as blood pressure, pulse, handgrip strength, and other anthropometric measurements, including manual dexterity and spatial awareness. The sample included 10 participants aged 17-48 years.

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Background: Patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) frequently present with concomitant obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). In those, current guidelines recommend combined coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) as the preferred treatment option, although this surgical approach is associated with a high rate of clinical events. Combined transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with or without FFR have evolved as a valid alternative for cardiac surgery in patients with AS and multivessel or advanced CAD.

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Percutaneous transaxillary approach (PTAX) through the first segment of the axillary artery is not widely recognized as a safe method. Furthermore, PTAX has never been directly compared between Impella-supported percutaneous coronary interventions (Impella-PCI) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of PTAX through the first axillary segment in Impella-PCI versus TAVR.

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Background: Impella is a percutaneous mechanical circulatory support device for treatment of cardiogenic shock (CS) and high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions (HR-PCIs). IMPELLA-PL is a national retrospective registry of Impella-treated CS and HR-PCI patients in 20 Polish interventional cardiological centers, conducted from January 2014 until December 2021.

Aims: We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of Impella using real-world data from IMPELLA-PL and compare these with other registries.

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Adoptive T cell therapy using natural T cell receptor (TCR) redirection is a promising approach to fight solid cancers and viral infections in liver and other organs. However, clinical efficacy of such TCR-T cells has been limited so far. One reason is that syngeneic preclinical models to evaluate safety and efficacy of TCR-T cells are missing.

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Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) is a strain with resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, making it a global human and veterinary health concern. Specifically, immunosuppressed patients have a remarkably higher risk of clinical MRSA infections with significantly increased rates of prolonged clinical recovery, morbidity, and mortality. The current treatment of choice for MRSA is vancomycin.

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