Browsing by Author "Rocha, Cheila"
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- Antiretroviral Drug Resistance Surveillance among Treatment-Naive Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Individuals in AngolaPublication . Bartolo, Ines; Rocha, Cheila; Bartolomeu, Jose; Gama, Antonio; Fonseca, Marlene; Mendes, Ana; Cristina, Filipa; Thamm, Sven; Epalanga, Marta; Silva, Patricia Cavaco; Taveira, NunoThe prevalence of transmitted human immunodeficiency virus type 1 drug resistance in Angola in 2001 in 196 untreated patients was investigated. All subtypes were detected, along with unclassifiable and complex recombinant strains. Numerous new polymorphis. - Fundacao GlaxoSmithKline das Ciencias da Saude and Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, Portugal [PTDC/SAU-FCF/67673/2006]; Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, Portugal. - This work was supported by grants from Fundacao GlaxoSmithKline das Ciencias da Saude and Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, Portugal (PTDC/SAU-FCF/67673/2006). Ines Bartolo and Cheila Rocha are supported by Ph. D. grants from Fundacao para a Ciencia e
- Antiretroviral drug resistance surveillance among treatment-naive human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected individuals in Angola: Evidence for low level of transmitted drug resistancePublication . Bártolo, Inês; Rocha, Cheila; Bartolomeu, José; Gama, António; Fonseca, Marlene; Mendes, Ana; Cristina, Filipa; Thamm, Sven; Epalanga, Marta; Silva, Patrícia Cavaco; Taveira, NunoThe prevalence of transmitted human immunodeficiency virus type 1 drug resistance in Angola in 2001 in 196 untreated patients was investigated. All subtypes were detected, along with unclassifiable and complex recombinant strains. Numerous new polymorphisms were identified in the reverse transcriptase and protease. Two (1.6%) unrelated patients harbored nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor- and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-resistant viruses (mutations: M41L, D67N, M184V, L210W, T215Y or T215F, and K103N). Continued surveillance of drug resistance is required for maximization of ART efficacy in Angola.
- Baseline susceptibility of primary HIV-2 to entry inhibitorsPublication . Borrego, Pedro; Calado, Rita; Marcelino, José M.; Bártolo, Inês; Rocha, Cheila; Cavaco-Silva, Patricia; Doroana, Manuela; Antunes, Francisco; Maltez, Fernando; Caixas, Umbelina; Barroso, Helena; Taveira, NunoBackground The baseline susceptibility of primary HIV-2 to maraviroc (MVC) and other entry inhibitors is currently unknown. Methods The susceptibility of 19 HIV-2 isolates obtained from asymptomatic and AIDS patients and seven HIV-1 clinical isolates to the fusion inhibitors enfuvirtide (ENF) and T-1249, and to the coreceptor antagonists AMD3100, TAK-779 and MVC, was measured using a TZM-bl cell-based assay. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50), 90% inhibitory concentration (IC90) and dose–response curve slopes were determined for each drug. Results ENF and T-1249 were significantly less active on HIV-2 than on HIV-1 (211- and 2-fold, respectively). AMD3100 and TAK-779 inhibited HIV-2 and HIV-1 CXCR4 tropic (X4) and CCR5 tropic (R5) variants with similar IC50 and IC90 values. MVC, however, inhibited the replication of R5 HIV-2 variants with significantly higher IC90 values (42.7 versus 9.7 nM; P<0.0001) and lower slope values (0.7 versus 1.3; P<0.0001) than HIV-1. HIV-2 R5 variants derived from AIDS patients were significantly less sensitive to MVC than variants from asymptomatic patients, this being inversely correlated with the absolute number of CD4+ T-cells. Conclusions T-1249 is a potent inhibitor of HIV-2 replication indicating that new fusion inhibitors might be useful to treat HIV-2 infection. Coreceptor antagonists TAK-779 and AMD3100 are also potent inhibitors of HIV-2 replication. The reduced sensitivity of R5 variants to MVC, especially in severely immunodeficient patients, indicates that the treatment of HIV-2-infected patients with MVC might require higher dosages than those used in HIV-1 patients, and should be adjusted to the disease stage.
- Development of synthetic light-chain antibodies as novel and potent HIV fusion inhibitorsPublication . Santos, Catarina Cunha; Figueira, Tiago N.; Borrego, Pedro; Oliveira, Soraia S.; Rocha, Cheila; Couto, Andreia; Cantante, Cátia; Costa, Quirina Santos; Pereira, José M. Azevedo; Fontes, Carlos M.G.A.; Taveira, Nuno; Silva, Frederico Aires da; Castanho, Miguel A. R. B.; Veiga, Ana Salomé; Gonçalves, JoãoOBJECTIVE: To develop a novel and potent fusion inhibitor of HIV infection based on a rational strategy for synthetic antibody library construction. DESIGN: The reduced molecular weight of single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) allows targeting of cryptic epitopes, the most conserved and critical ones in the context of HIV entry. Heavy-chain sdAbs from camelids are particularly suited for this type of epitope recognition because of the presence of long and flexible antigen-binding regions [complementary-determining regions (CDRs)]. METHODS: We translated camelid CDR features to a rabbit light-chain variable domain (VL) and constructed a library of minimal antibody fragments with elongated CDRs. Additionally to elongation, CDRs' variability was restricted to binding favorable amino acids to potentiate the selection of high-affinity sdAbs. The synthetic library was screened against a conserved, hidden, and crucial-to-fusion sequence on the heptad-repeat 1 (HR1) region of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein. RESULTS: Two anti-HR1 VLs, named F63 and D104, strongly inhibited laboratory-adapted HIV-1 infectivity. F63 also inhibited infectivity of HIV-1 and HIV-2 primary isolates similarly to the Food and Drug Administration-approved fusion inhibitor T-20 and HIV-1 strains resistant to T-20. Moreover, epitope mapping of F63 revealed a novel target sequence within the highly conserved hydrophobic pocket of HR1. F63 was also capable of interacting with viral and cell lipid membrane models, a property previously associated with T-20's inhibitory mechanism. CONCLUSION: In summary, to our best knowledge, we developed the first potent and broad VL sdAb fusion inhibitor of HIV infection. Our study also gives insights into engineering strategies that could be explored to enhance the development of antiviral drugs.
- Evolution of the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 envelope in the first years of infection is associated with the dynamics of the neutralizing antibody responsePublication . Rocha, Cheila; Calado, Rita; Borrego, Pedro; Marcelino, José Maria; Bártolo, Inês; Rosado, Lino; Cavaco-Silva, Patricia; Gomes, Perpetua; Familia, Carlos; Quintas, Alexandre; Skar, Helena; Leitner, Thomas; Barroso, Helena; Taveira, NunoBackground Differently from HIV-1, HIV-2 disease progression usually takes decades without antiretroviral therapy and the majority of HIV-2 infected individuals survive as elite controllers with normal CD4+ T cell counts and low or undetectable plasma viral load. Neutralizing antibodies (Nabs) are thought to play a central role in HIV-2 evolution and pathogenesis. However, the dynamic of the Nab response and resulting HIV-2 escape during acute infection and their impact in HIV-2 evolution and disease progression remain largely unknown. Our objective was to characterize the Nab response and the molecular and phenotypic evolution of HIV-2 in association with Nab escape in the first years of infection in two children infected at birth. Results CD4+ T cells decreased from about 50% to below 30% in both children in the first five years of infection and the infecting R5 viruses were replaced by X4 viruses within the same period. With antiretroviral therapy, viral load in child 1 decreased to undetectable levels and CD4+ T cells recovered to normal levels, which have been sustained at least until the age of 12. In contrast, viral load increased in child 2 and she progressed to AIDS and death at age 9. Beginning in the first year of life, child 1 raised high titers of antibodies that neutralized primary R5 isolates more effectively than X4 isolates, both autologous and heterologous. Child 2 raised a weak X4-specific Nab response that decreased sharply as disease progressed. Rate of evolution, nucleotide and amino acid diversity, and positive selection, were significantly higher in the envelope of child 1 compared to child 2. Rates of R5-to-X4 tropism switch, of V1 and V3 sequence diversification, and of convergence of V3 to a β-hairpin structure were related with rate of escape from the neutralizing antibodies. Conclusion Our data suggests that the molecular and phenotypic evolution of the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 envelope are related with the dynamics of the neutralizing antibody response providing further support for a model in which Nabs play an important role in HIV-2 pathogenesis.
- Genetic diversity and drug resistance profiles in HIV type 1- and HIV type 2-infected patients from Cape Verde IslandsPublication . Oliveira, Vânia; Bártolo, Inês; Borrego, Pedro; Rocha, Cheila; Valadas, Emília; Barreto, Jorge; Almeida, Elsa; Antunes, Francisco; Taveira, NunoOur aim was to characterize for the first time the genetic diversity of HIV in Cape Verde Islands as well as the drug resistance profiles in treated and untreated patients. Blood specimens were collected from 41 HIV-1 and 14 HIV-2 patients living in Santiago Island. Half of the patients were on antiretroviral treatment (ART). Pol and env gene sequences were obtained using in-house methods. Phylogenetic analysis was used for viral subtyping and the Stanford Algorithm was used for resistance genotyping. For HIV-1, the amplification of pol and env was possible in 27 patients (66%). HIV-1 patients were infected with subtypes G (13, 48%), B (2, 7%), F1 (2, 7%), and CRF02_AG (2, 7%), and complex recombinant forms including a new C/G variant (n=8, 30%). Drug resistance mutations were detected in the PR and RT of three (10%) treated patients. M41L and K103N transmitted drug resistance mutations were found in 2 of 17 (12%) untreated patients. All 14 HIV-2 isolates belonged to group A. The origin of 12 strains was impossible to determine whereas two strains were closely related to the historic ROD strain. In conclusion, in Cape Verde there is a long-standing HIV-2 epidemic rooted in ROD-like strains and a more recent epidemic of unknown origin. The HIV-1 epidemic is caused by multiple subtypes and complex recombinant forms. Drug resistance HIV-1 strains are present at moderate levels in both treated and untreated patients. Close surveillance in these two populations is crucial to prevent further transmission of drug-resistant strains.
- Highly divergent subtypes and new recombinant forms prevail in the HIV/AIDS epidemic in AngolaPublication . Bartolo, Ines; Rocha, Cheila; Bartolomeu, Jose; Gama, Antonio; Marcelino, Rute; Fonseca, Marlene; Mendes, Ana; Epalanga, Marta; Silva, Patricia Cavaco; Taveira, NunoAngola, located in South-Western Africa, has a remarkably low HIV/AIDS prevalence in the adult population (3.7%). It is bordered in the North by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Republic of Congo that are at the origin of human HIV-1 infections.
- Highly divergent subtypes and new recombinant forms prevail in the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Angola: New insights into the origins of the AIDS pandemicPublication . Bártolo, Inês; Rocha, Cheila; Bartolomeu, José; Gama, António; Marcelino, Rute; Fonseca, Marlene; Mendes, Ana; Epalanga, Marta; Silva, Patrícia Cavaco; Taveira, NunoAngola, located in South-Western Africa, has a remarkably low HIV/AIDS prevalence in the adult population (3.7%). It is bordered in the North by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Republic of Congo that are at the origin of human HIV-1 infections. It is, therefore, likely that HIV-1 strains circulating in Angola are genetically diverse and representative of the origin of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The aim of this work was to investigate in detail the genetic diversity and molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in Angola. Almost 400 sequences were obtained from the gag (p17), pol (PR and RT) and/or env (C2C3) genes of 159 HIV-1 infected patients living in eight provinces of Angola (Benguela, Cabinda, Cuanza Norte, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Malange, Uíge, and Zaire) and their genotype was determined by phylogenetic analyses. Gene regions representing all HIV-1 group M clades were found as well as unclassifiable sequences. In env and pol (RT), two groups of sequences forming distinct sub-clusters within the subtype A radiation were found and may define new A5 and A6 sub-subtypes. Recombinant forms were found in almost half (47.1%) of the patients of which 36.0% were second-generation recombinants. Fifty-eight different patterns of recombination were found. The A subtype, including CRF02_AG, was represented in most recombinant viruses. Epidemiological data suggests that the AIDS epidemic in Angola has probably started as early as 1961, the major cause being the independence war, and spread to Portugal soon thereafter. The extraordinary degree of HIV-1 group M genetic diversity and evolution in Angola may pose unprecedented challenges to diagnostic, treatment and prevention of HIV-1 infection.
- HIV-1 Genetic Diversity and Transmitted Drug Resistance in Health Care Settings in Maputo, MozambiquePublication . Bartolo, Ines; Casanovas, Jose; Bastos, Rui; Rocha, Cheila; Abecasis, Ana B.; Folgosa, Elena; Mondlane, Jose; Manuel, Rolanda; Taveira, NunoObjectives: To characterize HIV-1 diversity and transmitted drug resistance in persons with access to care and treatment in Maputo, Mozambique. Methods: Samples were collected in 2002-2004 from 144 drugnaive patients attending public hospitals and private. - Fundacao para a Ciencia c Tecnologia, Portugal [PSIDA/ESP/49699]. - Supported by Fundacao para a Ciencia c Tecnologia, Portugal (project PSIDA/ESP/49699). I.B., C.R., and A.B.A. are Supported by PhD grants from Fundacao para a Ciencia e Teenologia.
- HIV-1 genetic diversity and transmitted drug resistance in health care settings in Maputo, MozambiquePublication . Bártolo, Inês; Casanovas, José; Bastos, Rui; Rocha, Cheila; Abecasis, Ana B.; Folgosa, Elena; Mondlane, José; Manuel, Rolanda; Taveira, NunoObjectives: To characterize HIV-1 diversity and transmitted drug resistance in persons with access to care and treatment in Maputo, Mozambique. Methods: Samples were collected in 2002-2004 from 144 drug-naive patients attending public hospitals and private clinics. Plasma viremia, CD4, and CD8 cell counts were determined for each patient. The Stanford Algorithm was used for resistance genotyping on pol sequences. Subtyping was done by phylogenetic analysis. Results: Most patients had high viral load (mean, 5.0 log copies/mL) and low CD4 cell counts (median, 260 CD4 cells/μL). Protease and/or reverse transcriptase sequences were obtained from 104 (72%) samples. Patients harbored subtypes C (80.8%), G (3.8%), CRF37_cpx (6.7%), untypable (U) (1.0%), and recombinant strains (7.7%) comprising the A, C, D, F, and U clades. There were no major protease inhibitor resistance mutations. Mutations conferring resistance to the nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors and/or nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors were found in 4 (4/68; 5.9%) patients. Phylogenetic analysis suggested an imported origin for 2 resistant variants. Conclusions: The HIV-1 epidemic in Maputo is evolving rapidly in genetic complexity due to the recent introduction of all major subtypes and recombinant forms. Continued surveillance of drug resistance in treated and untreated populations is needed to prevent further transmission of HIV drug-resistant variants and maximize the efficacy of antiretroviral therapy in Maputo.