Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Oxford University Press (OUP)
Résumé : International audience
OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to assess in patients with advanced HIV disease receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) intensification with enfuvirtide (i) resistance at virological failure (VF), (ii) impact of baseline tropism on immunovirological response, and (iii) HIV-1 DNA tropism evolution during ART. METHODS: The ANRS 130 APOLLO randomized trial evaluated in naive patients the immunovirological impact of standard ART without (control arm) or with enfuvirtide. Tropism was determined on RNA and DNA by V3-loop sequencing interpreted using the Geno2Pheno algorithm. RESULTS: At baseline the median CD4 cell count was 30 cells/mm(3). Among the 170 patients assessable in this virological substudy, HIV-1 RNA tropism was as follows: 60% of viruses were R5 and 40% were R5X4/X4. HIV-1 DNA tropism was as follows: 54% were R5 and 46% were R5X4/X4. At week 24, 39% and 49% of patients experienced VF in the enfuvirtide and control arms, respectively. In the enfuvirtide arm, only resistance-associated mutations to enfuvirtide were detected. In the control arm, two patients displayed drug-resistant viruses at the time of VF. No impact of baseline tropism was observed on immunovirological response, regardless of the study arm. Among the 25 patients experiencing DNA tropism switch between baseline and week 24, 16 (64%) switched from R5 to R5X4/X4. These latter were mostly successfully suppressed patients receiving enfuvirtide and exhibiting poorer immunological response. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline RNA tropism had no impact on the immunovirological response. Drug resistance mutations were only detected for the fusion inhibitor. Finally, the mechanism of replenishment of the viral cellular reservoir with X4 viruses observed needs to be further analysed.
ISSN: 0305-7453

hal-00875130
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00875130
DOI : 10.1093/jac/dks455
PUBMED : 23152480

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Public Library of Science
Résumé : International audience
Two of the crucial aspects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are (i) viral persistence in reservoirs (precluding viral eradication) and (ii) chronic inflammation (directly associated with all-cause morbidities in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-controlled HIV-infected patients). The objective of the present study was to assess the potential involvement of adipose tissue in these two aspects. Adipose tissue is composed of adipocytes and the stromal vascular fraction (SVF); the latter comprises immune cells such as CD4+ T cells and macrophages (both of which are important target cells for HIV). The inflammatory potential of adipose tissue has been extensively described in the context of obesity. During HIV infection, the inflammatory profile of adipose tissue has been revealed by the occurrence of lipodystrophies (primarily related to ART). Data on the impact of HIV on the SVF (especially in individuals not receiving ART) are scarce. We first analyzed the impact of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection on abdominal subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues in SIVmac251 infected macaques and found that both adipocytes and adipose tissue immune cells were affected. The adipocyte density was elevated, and adipose tissue immune cells presented enhanced immune activation and/or inflammatory profiles. We detected cell-associated SIV DNA and RNA in the SVF and in sorted CD4+ T cells and macrophages from adipose tissue. We demonstrated that SVF cells (including CD4+ T cells) are infected in ART-controlled HIV-infected patients. Importantly, the production of HIV RNA was detected by in situ hybridization, and after the in vitro reactivation of sorted CD4+ T cells from adipose tissue. We thus identified adipose tissue as a crucial cofactor in both viral persistence and chronic immune activation/inflammation during HIV infection. These observations open up new therapeutic strategies for limiting the size of the viral reservoir and decreasing low-grade chronic inflammation via the modulation of adipose tissue-related pathways
ISSN: 1553-7366

Droits : http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
hal-01207287
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01207287
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01207287/document
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01207287/file/journal.ppat.1005153.pdf
DOI : 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005153

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Résumé : International audience
OBJECTIVES: The ANRS-112 INTERPRIM trial assessed whether fixed-cycles of antiretroviral treatment interruption (ART-STI) combined or not with pegylated interferon alpha-2b (peg-IFN) could lower viral load and achieve a healthier immune system in patients diagnosed during primary HIV-1-infection (PHI). DESIGN AND METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive either continuous ART (cART) during 72 weeks, or cART during 36 weeks followed by three ART-STIs, or the same ART-STIs associated with peg-IFN during the first 14 weeks and each interruption (ART-STI-IFN). Treatment was stopped at week 72. Final evaluation was based on plasma HIV-RNA level 6 months after the last treatment interruption. RESULTS: Eighty-seven percent of patients achieved undetectable HIV-RNA at week 32, with no deleterious impact of sequential treatment interruptions (STIs). Viral rebounds during interruptions were lower in the ART-STI-IFN than in the ART-STI group and during the second and third interruptions compared with the first one. However, HIV-RNA levels, CD4 T-cell counts and CD4 T/CD8 T ratios were similar between groups after the 6-month interruption, with a persistent effect on CD4 T cells and total cell-associated HIV-DNA levels. Predictive factors of virological outcome were HIV-RNA and HIV-DNA levels at PHI and HIV-DNA levels at treatment interruption. HIV-specific responses did not differ between strategies and were not associated with outcome. Forty-eight percent of patients experienced treatment resumption during long-term follow-up without difference between groups. CONCLUSION: When initiated during PHI, STIs associated or not with IFN did not result in a different outcome as compared to cART. All regimens showed a high response rate and a sustained immunological benefit after cessation.
ISSN: 0269-9370

hal-00875175
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00875175
DOI : 10.1097/QAD.0b013e32835844d9
PUBMED : 22842994

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Society for Microbiology
Résumé : International audience
Toxoplasmosis is a life-threatening infection in immunocompromised patients (ICPs). The definite diagnosis relies on parasite DNA detection, but the incidence and burden of disease are ill-known in HIV-negative patients. A three-year retrospective study was conducted in 15 reference laboratories from the network of the French National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis, to record the frequency of Toxoplasma DNA detection in ICPs, to review the molecular methods used for diagnosis and the prevention measures implemented in transplant patients. During the study period, out of 31,640 PCR performed in ICPs, 610 were positive (323 patients). Blood (n=337), cerebrospinal fluid (n=101) and aqueous humor (n=100) samples were more frequently positive. Chemoprophylaxis schemes in transplant patients differed between centers. PCR follow-up of allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplant (allo-HSCT) patients was implemented in 8/15 centers. Data from 180 patients (13 centers) were further analyzed regarding clinical setting and outcome. Only 68/180 (38%) patients were HIV+; the remaining 62% consisted in 72 HSCT, 14 solid-organ transplants, and 26 miscellaneous immunodeficiencies. Cerebral toxoplasmosis and disseminated toxoplasmosis were most frequently observed in HIV and transplant patients, respectively. Of 72 allo-HSCT patients with a positive PCR, 23 were asymptomatic; all were diagnosed in centers performing systematic blood PCR follow-up, and received specific treatment. Overall survival of allo-HSCT patients at two months was better in centers with PCR follow-up than in other centers (p<0.01). This study provides updated data on the frequency of toxoplasmosis in HIV-negative ICPs and suggests that regular PCR follow-up of allo-HSCT patients could guide pre-emptive treatment and improve outcome.
ISSN: 0095-1137

hal-01134189
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01134189
DOI : 10.1128/JCM.03282-14
PUBMED : 25762774

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Society of Nephrology
Résumé : International audience
Since the recent publication of data showing favorable outcomes for patients with HIV-1 and ESRD, kidney transplantation has become a therapeutic option in this population. However, reports have documented unexplained reduced allograft survival in these patients. We hypothesized that the unrecognized infection of the transplanted kidney by HIV-1 can compromise long-term allograft function. Using electron microscopy and molecular biology, we examined protocol renal transplant biopsies from 19 recipients with HIV-1 who did not have detectable levels of plasma HIV-1 RNA at transplantation. We found that HIV-1 infected the kidney allograft in 68% of these patients. Notably, HIV-1 infection was detected in either podocytes predominately (38% of recipients) or tubular cells only (62% of recipients). Podocyte infection associated with podocyte apoptosis and loss of differentiation markers as well as a faster decline in allograft function compared with tubular cell infection. In allografts with tubular cell infection, epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubules frequently contained abnormal mitochondria, and both patients who developed features of subclinical acute cellular rejection had allografts with tubular cell infection. Finally, we provide a novel noninvasive test for determining HIV-1 infection of the kidney allograft by measuring HIV-1 DNA and RNA levels in patients' urine. In conclusion, HIV-1 can infect kidney allografts after transplantation despite undetectable viremia, and this infection might influence graft outcome.
ISSN: 1046-6673

hal-01121764
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01121764
DOI : 10.1681/ASN.2013050564
PUBMED : 24309185
PUBMEDCENTRAL : PMC3904571

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Public Library of Science
Résumé : International audience
BACKGROUND: The male genital tract is suspected to constitute a viral sanctuary as persistent HIV shedding is found in the semen of a subset of HIV-infected men receiving effective antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The origin of this persistent shedding is currently unknown. Phylogenetic studies indicated that HIV in semen from untreated men arises from local sources and/or passive diffusion from the blood. We previously demonstrated in human and macaque low levels and localized infection of several semen-producing organs by HIV/SIV. Using a macaque model, this study investigates the impact of short term HAART (2-4 weeks) initiated either during the asymptomatic chronic stage or 4 h post-intravenous inoculation of SIVmac251 on the infection of male genital organs. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Short term HAART during the chronic stage decreased blood viral load. No major impact of HAART was observed on SIV DNA levels in male genital organs using a sensitive nested PCR assay. Using in situ hybridization, SIV RNA+ cells were detected in all male genital tract organs from untreated and treated animals with undetectable blood viral load following HAART. Infected CD68+ myeloid cells and CD3+ T lymphocytes were detected pre- and post-HAART. In contrast, short term HAART initiated 4 h post-SIV exposure led to a drastic decrease of the male genital tissues infection, although it failed to prevent systemic infection. In both cases, HAART tended to decrease the number of CD3+ T cells in the male organs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the established infection of male genital organs is not greatly impacted by short term HAART, whereas the same treatment during pre-acute phase of the infection efficiently impairs viral dissemination to the male genital tract. Further investigations are now needed to determine whether infection of male genital organs is responsible for long term persistent HIV shedding in semen despite HAART.
ISSN: 1932-6203

hal-00876945
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00876945
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00876945/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00876945/file/Impactsur Short-Term-accepted.pdf
DOI : 10.1371/journal.pone.0037348

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Society for Microbiology
Résumé : International audience
A number of men receiving prolonged suppressive HAART still shed HIV in semen. To investigate whether this seminal shedding may be due to poor drug penetration and/or viral production by long-lived cells within male genital tissues, we analyzed semen and reproductive tissues from macaques chronically infected with SIVmac251 submitted to HAART for 4 months, intensified over the last seven weeks with an integrase inhibitor. We showed that a subset of treated animals continued shedding SIV in semen despite efficient HAART. This shedding was not associated with low antiretroviral drug concentrations in semen, or in testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate. HAART had no significant impact on SIV RNA in the urethra, whereas it drastically reduced SIV RNA levels in the prostate and vas deferens, and to a lesser extent in the epididymis and seminal vesicle. The only detectable SIV RNA positive cells within the male genital tract after HAART were urethral macrophages. SIV DNA levels in genital tissues were not decreased by HAART, suggesting the presence throughout the male genital tract of non-productively infected cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that 4 months of HAART induced variable and limited control of viral infection in the male reproductive organs, particularly the urethra, and suggest that infected long-lived cells in the male genital tract may be involved in persistent seminal shedding during HAART. These results pave the way for further investigations of male genital organs infection in long term treated infected individuals. A substantial subset of men receiving prolonged suppressive HAART in the blood still harbor HIV in semen, and cases of sexual transmission have been reported. To understand the origin of this persistence, we analyzed the semen and male reproductive tissues from SIV-infected macaques treated by HAART. We demonstrated that persistent seminal shedding was not linked to poor drug penetration in semen or semen-producing prostate, seminal vesicle, epididymis and testis. We revealed that HAART decreased SIV RNA to various extents in all male genital organs, with the exception of the urethra, in which SIV RNA+ macrophages were observed despite HAART. Importantly also, HAART did not impact SIV DNA levels in the male genital organs. These results suggest that infection of male genital organs, and particularly the urethra, could be involved in the release of virus in semen during HAART.
ISSN: 0022-538X

hal-01139816
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01139816
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01139816/document
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01139816/file/Detection%20of%20SIV%20in%20Semen%2C%20Urethra%2C%20and%20Male%20Reproductive%20Organs%20during%20Efficient%20Highly%20Active%20Antiretroviral%20Therapy.pdf
PUBMEDCENTRAL : PMC4442442

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Public Library of Science
Résumé : International audience
The mucosal events of HIV transmission have been extensively studied, but the role of infected cells present in the genital and rectal secretions, and in the semen, in particular, remains a matter of debate. As a prerequisite to a thorough in vivo investigation of the early transmission events through infected cells, we characterized in detail by multi-parameter flow cytometry the changes in macaque seminal leukocytes during SIVmac251 infection, focusing on T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. Using immunocytofluorescence targeting SIV proteins and real-time quantitative PCR targeting SIV DNA, we investigated the nature of the infected cells on sorted semen leukocytes from macaques at different stages of infection. Finally, we cocultured semen CD4(+) T cells and macrophages with a cell line permissive to SIV infection to assess their infectivity in vitro. We found that primary infection induced strong local inflammation, which was associated with an increase in the number of leukocytes in semen, both factors having the potential to favor cell-associated virus transmission. Semen CD4(+) T cells and macrophages were productively infected at all stages of infection and were infectious in vitro. Lymphocytes had a mucosal phenotype and expressed activation (CD69 & HLA-DR) and migration (CCR5, CXCR4, LFA-1) markers. CD69 expression was increased in semen T cells by SIV infection, at all stages of infection. Macrophages predominated at all stages and expressed CD4, CCR5, MAC-1 and LFA-1. Altogether, we demonstrated that semen contains the two major SIV-target cells (CD4+ T cells and macrophages). Both cell types can be productively infected at all stages of SIV infection and are endowed with markers that may facilitate transmission of infection during sexual exposure.
ISSN: 1553-7366

hal-00955292
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00955292
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00955292/document
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00955292/file/Semen_CD4_T-accepted.pdf
PUBMED : 24348253

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Wiley
Résumé : International audience
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a leading cause of acute viral encephalitis but little is known about its clinical, biological and imaging features. Furthermore, the most favourable treatment regimen has not been determined. We studied a prospective cohort of 20 HIV-negative patients presenting with acute VZV encephalitis caused by primary infection or reactivation. VZV was identified in 16 of 20 cases by PCR detection of the DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid. The four remaining cases occurred during or soon after a VZV rash. The median age of the 17 adults was 76 (19-86) years; the three other patients were children (0.5-5 years). Three patients were immunocompromised. Nine adult patients presented with a rash. Eighteen patients presented with fever and an acute encephalitic syndrome: diffuse brain dysfunction, focal neurological signs, seizures and cranial nerve palsies. Three patients presented with either ventricular or subdural haemorrhage, one with myelitis, and one with asymptomatic stenosis of the middle cerebral artery. The imaging was either normal or revealed non-specific abnormalities such as cortical atrophy but no evidence of stroke. All patients were given acyclovir at various dosages and durations but the case fatality rate remained high (15%) and sequelae were frequently observed either at discharge or at follow-up 3 years later.
ISSN: 1198-743X

hal-00875232
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00875232
PUBMED : 22085160
DOI : 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2011.03705.x