Analysis of the immune mechanism for protection of intrarectal HIV infection

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H02745
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 49060:Virology-related
• Research Institution: National Institute of Infectious Diseases
• Principal Investigator: Matano Tetsuro 国立感染症研究所, 副所長, 副所長 (00270653)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 感染免疫学 / 感染症 / 微生物 / 細胞傷害性T細胞 / 粘膜免疫 / ウイルス / ワクチン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Elucidation of the viral transmission mechanism is a key for the control of infectious disease epidemic. In the process of HIV/SIV transmission, viruses do not infect mucosal epithelial cells but go through the injured mucosal barrier or penetrate it by transcytosis, followed by viral proliferation at the submucosal area. Control of submucosal viral proliferation is important for protection of the establishment of systemic HIV/SIV infection. This study aims at investigating the protective process of submucosal HIV/SIV replication by vaccine-induced immune responses. We established a method for analysis of viral proliferation and immune responses in the rectum mucosa of macaques in several days after intrarectal SIV challenge. We obtained results indicating reduced viral proliferation in the rectum mucosa by vaccine-induced virus-specific CD8+ T cell responses after SIV challenge. This study contributes to elucidation of the protective process against mucosal HIV transmission.

Free Research Field

感染免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、個体から個体へのウイルス感染伝播の防御機序の解明をテーマとし、主要な感染伝播経路である経粘膜感染のうち、粘膜上皮細胞に感染せず粘膜上皮バリアを通過する代表的ウイルスであるHIVの経粘膜感染防御過程の解明に結びつくものである。ワクチン開発を含む、HIV感染防御法の開発への貢献という観点で社会的意義は大きい。粘膜下局所の防御過程に関する知見獲得は、新規性が高く、学術的にも高い意義を有している。