F. J. Villinger

TGF-β blockade drives a transitional effector phenotype in T cells reversing SIV latency and decreasing SIV reservoirs in vivo

TGF-β blockade with galunisertib reverses SIV latency, reduces viral reservoirs, and enhances immune responses in ART-treated macaques without systemic inflammation.

Extremely potent pan-sarbecovirus neutralizing antibodies generated by immunization of macaques with an AS03-adjuvanted monovalent subunit vaccine against SARS-CoV-2

This study identifies potent pan-sarbecovirus neutralizing antibodies from vaccinated macaques, showing broad neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 variants and related viruses.

A ferritin-based COVID-19 nanoparticle vaccine that elicits robust, durable, broad-spectrum neutralizing antisera in non-human primates

This paper describes a ferritin-based nanoparticle vaccine, DCFHP-alum, that induces strong, long-lasting neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants in non-human primates.

Blockade of TGF-β signaling reactivates HIV-1/SIV reservoirs and immune responses in vivo

This study shows that blocking TGF-β signaling increases HIV-1 and SIV reactivation and boosts immune responses in infected individuals on ART.

Durable protection against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron induced by an adjuvanted subunit vaccine

This study shows that an adjuvanted subunit vaccine provides durable protection against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron in non-human primates, with strong neutralizing antibodies and memory T/B cells after booster doses.

An immunoPET probe to SARS-CoV-2 reveals early infection of the male genital tract in rhesus macaques

This paper uses immunoPET to track SARS-CoV-2 infection in rhesus macaques, revealing infection of the male genital tract and differences in lung pathology between SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Distinct sensitivities to SARS-CoV-2 variants in vaccinated humans and mice

This study compares neutralizing antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants in vaccinated humans and mice, finding that mice do not accurately reflect the breadth and potency seen in humans.

Localization of infection in neonatal rhesus macaques after oral viral challenge

This study uses PET and fluorescent microscopy to track HIV distribution in neonatal rhesus macaques after oral challenge, showing virions localize to the rectal mucosa by four hours and the intestine contains the most infected cells at 96 hours.

PET/CT targeted tissue sampling reveals virus specific dIgA can alter the distribution and localization of HIV after rectal exposure

The paper uses PET/CT and fluorescent microscopy to show dIgA increases HIV virion distribution and penetration in colorectal tissue and lymph nodes after exposure.