Human galectin-9 promotes the expansion of HIV reservoirs in vivo in humanized mice. (15th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yuan, Zhe; Giron, Leila B.; Hart, Colin; Gyampoh, Akwasi; Koshy, Jane; Hong, Kai Ying; Niki, Toshiro; Premeaux, Thomas A.; Ndhlovu, Lishomwa C.; Deleage, Claire; Montaner, Luis J.; Abdel-Mohsen, Mohamed
• Is Part Of: AIDS. Volume 37:Number 4(2023)
• Page Start: 571
• Page End: 577
• Publication Date: 2023-03-15
• Subjects: bone marrow -- liver -- thymus mice -- galectin-9 -- HIV -- HIV reservoirs -- humanized mice; AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; AIDS (Disease); Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.9792005
• DOI: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000003443
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-9370

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: The human endogenous protein galectin-9 (Gal-9) reactivates latently HIV-infected cells in vitro and ex vivo, which may allow for immune-mediated clearance of these cells. However, Gal-9 also activates several immune cells, which could negatively affect HIV persistence by promoting chronic activation/exhaustion. This potential 'double-edged sword' effect of Gal-9 raises the question of the overall impact of Gal-9 on HIV persistence in vivo . Design: We used the BLT (bone marrow, liver, thymus) humanized mouse model to evaluate the impact of Gal-9 on HIV persistence in vivo during antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods: Two independent cohorts of ART-suppressed HIV-infected BLT mice were treated with either recombinant Gal-9 or phosphate-buffered saline control. Plasma viral loads and levels of tissue-associated HIV DNA and RNA were measured by qPCR. Immunohistochemistry and HIV RNAscope were used to quantify CD4 + T, myeloid, and HIV RNA+ cells in tissues. T cell activation and exhaustion were measured by flow cytometry, and plasma markers of inflammation were measured by multiplex cytokine arrays. Results: Gal-9 did not induce plasma markers of inflammation or T cell markers of activation/exhaustion in vivo . However, the treatment significantly increased levels of tissue-associated HIV DNA and RNA compared to controls ( P = 0.0007 and P = 0.011, respectively, for cohort I and P = 0.002 and P = 0.005, respectively, for cohort II). RNAscope validated the Gal-9 mediated induction of HIV RNA in tissue-associated myeloid cells, but not T cells. Conclusions: Our study highlights the overall adverse effects of Gal-9 on HIV persistence and the potential need to block Gal-9 interactions during ART-suppressed HIV infection.