Expression profiling by high throughput sequencing
Summary
Induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) is highly desired for an effective vaccine against HIV-1. Typically, bnAbs develop in patients with high viremia, but can also evolve in some untreated HIV-1 controllers with low viral loads. Here, we identify a subgroup of neutralizer-controllers characterized by myeloid DC (mDCs) with a distinct inflammatory signature and a superior ability to prime T follicular helper (Tfh)-like cells in an STAT4-dependent fashion. This distinct immune profile is associated with a higher frequency of Tfh-like cells in peripheral blood (pTfh) and an enrichment for Tfh-defining genes in circulating CD4+ T cells. Correspondingly, Monocytes from this neutralizer controller subgroup upregulate genes encoding for chemotaxis and inflammation, and secrete high levels of IL-12 in response to TLR stimulation. Together, our results suggest multi-compartment immune networks between mDCs, Tfh and Monocytes that might facilitate development of bnAbs in a subgroup of HIV-1 controllers.
Overall design
RNAseq study from 4 different immune populations: Dendritic cells, CD4 T cells, Monocytes and B cells from two groups of HIV-1 controllers classified by the presence or the absence of a broader breadth of neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1 on plasma.
Less...
More...