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A novel approach to HIV vaccine research
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A Manitoba-based researcher recently received funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a study using a novel approach to HIV vaccine research. Dr. Ma Luo, a research scientist with the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg and an adjunct Professor of Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, received a $2.6 million grant from the NIH for her innovative research targeting key sites of the HIV virus.
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To receive funding from the NIH is an accomplishment in itself for a Canadian-based researcher. Dr. Luo’s Canadian co-investigators include renowned HIV experts Drs. Blake Ball, Paul Sandstrom, Gary Kobinger, and Frank Plummer.
What makes Dr. Luo’s project unique is that she plans to compare the protective efficacy of a vaccine targeting 12 key sites on the HIV viron, with a traditional vaccine approach that targets the full viral envelope protein and proteins in the virion interior, known as Gag. READ THE FULL STORY
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CanCure Webinar - October 8, 2015
The Canadian HIV Cure Enterprise (CanCURE) in partnership with the CHVI Research and Development Alliance Coordinating Office are pleased to invite you to a webinar entitled "Intellectual Property - What Research Trainees Need to Know", presented by Dr. Mike Williams (Patent Agent, Ade & Company Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba) and Mr. Robert Reinhard (Community Liaison, Canadian HIV Cure Enterprise [CanCURE], Toronto, Ontario). READ MORE
New and Early Career Investigator Workshop – February 4 to 5, 2016
The New and Early Career Investigator Workshop will be held on February 4 to 5, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario. Stay tuned for updates on registration and other information, on the ACO e-Bulletin, Alliance Virtual Community, and ACO website.
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The Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative (CHVI) Research and Development Alliance Coordinating Office (ACO) is currently conducting an evaluation to support program improvement and to meet accountability requirements to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). The ACO has hired Cathexis Consulting Inc., an independent evaluation firm, to conduct this evaluation between June and October 2015. TAKE THE SURVEY
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Soluble Envelope Glycoprotein Trimers from a CD4-Independent HIV-1 Elicit Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity-Mediating Antibodies in Guinea Pigs.
Murray MK, Teran VA, Chapleau JP, Wang B, Kim SH, LaBranche CC, Richard J, Montefiori DC, Finzi A, Yuan W.
J.Virol. 2015 Aug 5. Pii: JVI.01642-15. [Epub ahead of print]
CD4-independent HIV-1 variants can infect coreceptor-expressing cells lacking CD4. The envelope glycoproteins (Env) on these HIV-1 expose coreceptor binding site, which overlaps with some CD4-induced (CD4i) epitopes. Reports have demonstrated CD4i antibodies mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Here we investigated the immunogenicity of soluble Env trimers (sgp140(-)) from a CD4-independent HIV-1 in guinea pigs and found the sgp140(-) elicited ADCC-mediating antibodies. Therefore, these sgp140(-) might be useful in vaccine regiments aimed at eliciting ADCC responses. READ MORE
Two-Year Follow-Up of Macaques Developing Intermittent Control of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Homolog Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVmac251 in the Chronic Phase of Infection.
Shytaj IL, Nickel G, Arts E, Farrell N, Biffoni M, Pal R, Chung HK, LaBranche C, Montefiori D, Vargas-Inchaustegui D, Robert-Guroff M, Lewis MG, Sacha JB, Palamara AT, Savarino A.
J. Virol. 2015 Aug 1 ;89(15):7251-35. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00396-15. Epub 2015 May 13.
Off-therapy control of viremia by HIV-infected individuals has been associated with two likely players: a restricted viral reservoir and an efficient cell-mediated immune response. We previously showed that a combination of highly suppressive antiretroviral therapy and two experimental drugs, i.e., auranofin and buthionine sulfoximine, was able to reduce the viral reservoir, elicit efficient cell-mediated antiviral responses, and induce intermittent posttherapy viral load control in chronically SIVmac251-infected macaques. We here show that the macaques that had received this drug combination and then stopped antiretroviral therapy were also able to maintain low numbers of activated CD4(+) T cells at viral rebound. Moreover, these macaques consistently displayed low-level simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) diversity, which was in line with the strong and broadly reactive cell-mediated immune responses against conserved Gag antigens. Extended follow-up showed that the two macaques that had received the complete drug combination remained healthy and did not develop AIDS in 2 years of follow-up after therapy suspension. This disease-free survival is longer than twice the average time of progression to AIDS in SIVmac251-infected rhesus macaques. These results suggest that limited numbers of activated T cells at viral rebound and subsequent development of broadly reactive cell-mediated responses may be interrelated in reducing the viral reservoir. READ MORE
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Resources
Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative (CHVI) Interactive Projects Map
The CHVI's Interactive Projects Map highlights recipients of CHVI funding around the world and visual guide to some of Canada's contribution to HIV/AIDS research. TRY THE MAP to find out where Canadian HIV vaccine research is taking place.
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Funding Opportunities
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Doctoral Research Award – Fall 2015 Priority Announcement (Specific Research Areas)
Application Deadline: 2015-10-01
LEARN MORE
Doctoral Research Award: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (2015-2016)
Application Deadline: 2015-11-04
LEARN MORE
Fellowship: 2015 – 2016
Application Deadline: 2015-11-02
LEARN MORE
New Investigator Salary Award: 2015 – 2016
Application Deadline: 2015-12-01
LEARN MORE
New Investigator Salary Award: Winter 2015 Priority Announcement
Application Deadline: 2015-12-01
LEARN MORE
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Conferences
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October 21-24, 2015
15th European AIDS Conference
Barcelona, Spain
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November 29 to December 4, 2015
International Conference on AIDS & STI in Africa (ICASA)
Harare, Zimbabwe
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November 30 to December 2, 2015
3rd International Conference on HIV/AIDS, STDs & STIs
Atlanta, USA
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February 22 to 25 2016
Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) 2016
Boston, USA
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March 20 to 24, 2016
Keystone Symposia – HIV Persistence: Pathogenesis and Eradication (X7)
California, USA
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March 20 to 24, 2016
Keystone Symposia – HIV Vaccines (X8)
California, USA
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May 12 to 15 2016
CAHR 2016
Winnipeg, Canada
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→
See full list of conferences
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Annual Update
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The Annual Report offers highlights of ACO activities over the past fiscal year. Read our 2014-2015 Annual Update.
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You are receiving this email because you registered to receive news updates from the Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative (CHVI) Research and
Development Alliance Coordinating Office
or you are a member of a CHVI-funded
project team.
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Follow Us:
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Address
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ALLIANCE COORDINATING OFFICE
International Centre for Infectious Diseases
515 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
R3B 2E9
Tel.: 204 946 0908
Fax: 204 946 0927
email:
aco@icid.com
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About Us
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The CHVI Research and Development Alliance Coordinating Office (ACO) was established by the Government of Canada and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in November 2011 at the International Centre for Infectious Diseases (ICID), a
not-for-profit,
non-governmental organization based in Winnipeg.
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White Paper
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The ACO has developed a White Paper to foster effective coordination of key players across the Canadian HIV vaccine research landscape.
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