The overall goal of this proposal is to evaluate the safety and therapeutic potential of in vivo blockade of the PD-1 (Programmed death-1) co-inhibitory pathway to achieve a functional cure (long-term control in the absence of antiretroviral therapy) for HIV/AIDS using the SIV/macaque model. Dysfunctional anti-HIV immunity and persistence of viral reservoirs represent the two major issues that must be addressed by therapeutic approaches targeting functional cure. Combination antiretroviral drug therapy (ART) helps only to some extent. We believe that these two issues can be addressed effectively by targeting the PD-1 co-inhibitory pathway during ART. First, our recent studies showed that PD-1 blockade during chronic SIV infection (in the absence of ART) is safe and restores function of SIV-specific cellular and humoral immunity, improves gut permeability barrier function and prolongs survival. These results demonstrated that in vivo blockade of PD-1 represents a novel treatment strategy to restore anti-HIV immunity. Second, recent studies have demonstrated that the majority of HIV-1 latently infected cells express PD-1 and blocking PD-1 signaling on these cells reactivates the latent virus in vitro, suggesting that in vivo blockade of PD-1 may result in reactivation of the latent virus that can subsequently be cleared by the functional anti-viral immunity. Here we propose to achieve a functional cure for HIV/AIDS by combining PD-1 blockade with ART and therapeutic vaccination. This proposal has three specific aims.
In aim 1, we will optimize conditions for enhancing anti-viral immunity and reducing the establishment of latently infected cells following the initiation of ART.
In aim 2, we will optimize conditions to purge the viral reservoirs during ART.
In aim 3, we will use the best condition from aims 1 and 2, and combine with therapeutic vaccination to achieve a functional cure. This will be a collaborative effort between Drs. Amara (Emory University), Ahmed (Emory University) and Freeman (Harvard University). If successful, our results will show a definitive path for clinical testing of PD-1 blockade combined with therapeutic vaccination to achieve a functional cure for HIV/AIDS.

Public Health Relevance

WHO estimates that there are currently 32 million humans living with HIV/AIDS. There is a great need for developing therapeutic approaches that achieve functional cure (long term control of HIV in the absence of combination antiretroviral therapy). The goal of this grant is to identify a functional cure for HIV by targeting PD-1 inhibitory pathwa using anti-PD-1 antibody combined with ART and vaccination.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
5R37AI112787-02
Application #
8792614
Study Section
AIDS Immunology and Pathogenesis Study Section (AIP)
Program Officer
Conley, Tony J
Project Start
2014-02-01
Project End
2019-01-31
Budget Start
2015-02-01
Budget End
2016-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$869,526
Indirect Cost
$344,356
Name
Emory University
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
066469933
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30322
Mylvaganam, Geetha H; Chea, Lynette S; Tharp, Gregory K et al. (2018) Combination anti-PD-1 and antiretroviral therapy provides therapeutic benefit against SIV. JCI Insight 3:
Mylvaganam, Geetha H; Rios, Daniel; Abdelaal, Hadia M et al. (2017) Dynamics of SIV-specific CXCR5+ CD8 T cells during chronic SIV infection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114:1976-1981
Velu, Vijayakumar; Mylvaganam, Geetha Hanna; Gangadhara, Sailaja et al. (2016) Induction of Th1-Biased T Follicular Helper (Tfh) Cells in Lymphoid Tissues during Chronic Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Defines Functionally Distinct Germinal Center Tfh Cells. J Immunol 197:1832-42
Kelley, Colleen F; Lai, Lilin; Ibegbu, Chris et al. (2016) Differences in expression of gut-homing receptors on CD4+ T cells in black and white HIV-negative men who have sex with men. AIDS 30:1305-8
Mylvaganam, Geetha H; Silvestri, Guido; Amara, Rama Rao (2015) HIV therapeutic vaccines: moving towards a functional cure. Curr Opin Immunol 35:1-8
Mylvaganam, Geetha H; Velu, Vijayakumar; Hong, Jung-Joo et al. (2014) Diminished viral control during simian immunodeficiency virus infection is associated with aberrant PD-1hi CD4 T cell enrichment in the lymphoid follicles of the rectal mucosa. J Immunol 193:4527-36