Immunobiology

Research Lines

Content with Investigacion Virología Molecular .

Research

The Molecular Virology group focuses its research on the study of HIV-1 genetic variation and viral evolution using both in vitro and ex vivo approaches, structured around the following research lines:

- Non-progressor patients. These patients maintain control of the disease in the absence of antiretroviral therapy and have therefore been proposed as a model of functional cure. Our objective is to study the contribution of viral factors to disease control through biological characterization and analysis of viral evolution in individuals with undetectable viral loads (elite controllers, EC), compared with individuals showing other patterns of viral control.

- Viral envelope. This viral protein is key in determining viral fitness. Therefore, its functionality significantly affects infection progression. In collaboration with Dr. Blanco and Dr. Valenzuela, we study which specific events (CD4 binding, fusogenicity, etc.) are associated with envelope functionality. To this end, we have analyzed envelopes from individuals with different patterns of disease progression. Some of these have been contributed to the AIDS Research Network envelope biobank for broader use.

- Dual infection. Infection with more than one viral variant (either through co-infection or superinfection) may have consequences for infection pathogenesis. Within our group, different aspects of DI have been analyzed, including its detection in non-progressor patients, its prevalence and incidence in Spain, and its influence on the neutralizing antibody response.

- Molecular Epidemiology. The group has analyzed viral evolution throughout the epidemic in Spain and in other countries (the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Uruguay, Panama, Brazil, etc.).

- Role of amino acid residues in reverse transcriptase. We study the role of specific amino acid residues in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase in enzymatic function and replication capacity using an infectious molecular clone previously obtained by the group.

- “In vitro” variability. Serial passage studies have been used to detect the mechanisms responsible for the gain or loss of viral fitness.

- Antiviral studies. We have analyzed the selection of resistance mutations in vitro against different antivirals, as well as the effect of these mutations on viral fitness, and the activity of new antivirals such as ATR inhibitors.

Virological Diagnosis and Reference in HIV and HTLV Infections

The research group provides diagnostic and reference activities through the service portfolio of the National Center for Microbiology to the entire Spanish National Health System.

These services include:

Diagnosis and reference of HIV infection (types 1 and 2) through detection of specific antibodies and detection of proviral DNA by PCR.
Diagnosis and reference of HTLV-I/II infection through detection of specific antibodies and detection of proviral DNA by PCR. Quantification of HTLV-1 proviral load by real-time PCR.

European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) in the field of in vitro diagnostic medical devices for microbiological diagnosis (IVD) of HIV and HTLV (Regulation 2023/2713 of December 5th, 2023). Our role is to confirm the reliability and effectiveness of devices for detecting these pathogens and to ensure their specific performance requirements through laboratory testing before they can be marketed within the European Union.

Research projects

Content with Investigacion Virología Molecular .

- Towards a functional cure: Implications of early antiretroviral therapy and hormonal changes on the HIV reservoir in perinatally infected adolescents. Health Research Fund (FIS) – Carlos III Health Institute (01/01/2026 – 31/12/2028). €72,000. PI: María Pernas, Concepción Casado.

- Determination of factors associated with protection against Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 reinfection: Identification of correlates of protection. 9th Gilead Fellowship Program for Biomedical Research, Gilead Sciences, S.L. (01/07/2023 – 30/06/2025). €16,330. PI: María Pernas.

- Impact of the envelope on HIV viral replication: New avenues for vaccine development. Health Research Fund (FIS) – Carlos III Health Institute (01/01/2020 – 31/12/2023). €53,000. PI: María Pernas, Concepción Casado.

- Study of HIV-1 virulence in recently infected patients and its contribution, together with clinical and epidemiological factors, to disease progression. Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. State Program for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation (30/12/2016 – 30/06/2021). €145,000. PI: Concepción Casado, Cecilio López-Galíndez.

-Contribution of HIV-1 dual infection to virological and clinical evolution in homo/bisexual men. Health Research Fund (FIS) – Carlos III Health Institute (01/01/2014 – 31/01/2016). €74,410. PI: Cecilio López-Galíndez.

- Characterization of non-pathogenic HIV variants obtained “ex vivo” and “in vitro” for the study of disease pathogenesis. Ministry of Science and Innovation (01/01/2011 – 31/01/2014). €169,400. PI: Cecilio López-Galíndez.

- Spanish AIDS Research Network (RIS-RETIC). Carlos III Health Institute (02/01/2017 – 02/01/2022). €195,212. PI: Cecilio López-Galíndez, Concepción Casado.

Search Bar

Publications

Sort

Sort By

Metabolic Profiling at COVID-19 Onset Shows Disease Severity and Sex-Specific Dysregulation FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY.

3 Ceballos, Francisco C.; Virseda-Berdices, Ana; Resino, Salvador; et al; Jimenez-Sousa, Maria Angeles. (19/19). 2022. Metabolic Profiling at COVID-19 Onset Shows Disease Severity and Sex-Specific Dysregulation FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY. ISSN 1664-3224.

Metabolomic changes after DAAs therapy are related to the improvement of cirrhosis and inflammation in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.

4 Virseda-Berdices, Ana; Rojo, David; Martinez, Isidoro; et al; Jimenez-Sousa, Maria Angeles. (14/14). 2022. Metabolomic changes after DAAs therapy are related to the improvement of cirrhosis and inflammation in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY. 147:112623. ISSN 1950-6007.

HCV Cure With Direct-Acting Antivirals Improves Liver and Immunological Markers in HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY.

7 Brochado-Kith, Oscar; Martinez, Isidoro; Berenguer, Juan; et al; Jiménez-Sousa, Maria Angeles (‡, AC); Resino, Salvador (‡, AC). (13/13). 2021. HCV Cure With Direct-Acting Antivirals Improves Liver and Immunological Markers in HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY. 12:723196. ISSN 1664-3224.

Plasma miRNA profile at COVID-19 onset predicts severity status and mortality

3. Fernández-Pato A; Virseda-Berdices A; Resino S; et al; Fernández-Rodríguez A (AC). (20/20). 2022. Plasma miRNA profile at COVID-19 onset predicts severity status and mortality Emerging Microbes and Infections. Taylor & Francis Online. ISSN 2222-1751.

DOI

Diagnostic Performance of the HCV Core Antigen Test To Identify Hepatitis C in HIV-Infected Patients: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

4. Sepúlveda-Crespo D; Treviño-Nakoura A; Bellon JM; Jiménez-Sousa MA; Ryan P; Martínez I; Fernández-Rodríguez A (AC); Resino S. (7/8). 2022. Diagnostic Performance of the HCV Core Antigen Test To Identify Hepatitis C in HIV-Infected Patients: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of clinical microbiology. pp.e0133122. ISSN 0095-1137.

DOI

Metabolic Profiling at COVID-19 Onset Shows Disease Severity and Sex-Specific Dysregulation

6. Ceballos FC; Virseda-Berdices A; Resino S; et al; Jiménez-Sousa MÁ (AC). (19/19). 2022. Metabolic Profiling at COVID-19 Onset Shows Disease Severity and Sex-Specific Dysregulation.Frontiers in immunology. 13, pp.925558. WOS (78)

DOI

Novel genes and sex differences in COVID-19 severity

7. Cruz R; Almeida SD; Heredia ML; et al; Fernández-Rodríguez A; Carracedo Á. (51/168). 2022. Novel genes and sex differences in COVID-19 severity. Human molecular genetics. ISSN 0964-6906.

DOI

Different HCV Exposure Drives Specific miRNA Profile in PBMCs of HIV Patients

8. Valle-Millares D; Brochado-Kith O; Martín-Carbonero L; et al; Fernández-Rodríguez A (AC). (22/22). 2021. Different HCV exposure drives specific miRNA profile in PBMCs of HIV patients Biomedicines. MDPI. 9-11, pp.1627.

DOI

Are Reduced Levels of Coagulation Proteins Upon Admission Linked to COVID-19 Severity and Mortality?

9. Ceballos F; Ryan P; Blancas R; et al; Fernández-Rodríguez A (AC); Jiménez-Sousa MA. (19/20). 2021. Are Reduced Levels of Coagulation Proteins Upon Admission Linked to COVID-19 Severity and Mortality? Frontiers in Medicine. Frontiers. 8-718053.

DOI

Telomere Length Increase in HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients with Cirrhosis after HCV Eradication with Direct-Acting Antivirals

12 . Molina-Carrión S; Brochado-Kith, Oscar; González-García J; et al; Angeles Jimenez-Sousa, Maria. (16/16). 2020. Telomere length increase in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with cirrhosis after HCV eradication with direct acting antivirals. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE. MDPI. ISSN 2077-0383.

DOI

MicroRNA Profile of HCV Spontaneous Clarified Individuals, Denotes Previous HCV Infection

15. Brochado-Kith, Oscar; Gomez-Sanz, Alicia; Real LM; et al; Fernandez-Rodriguez, Amanda (AC). (16/16). 2019. MicroRNA Profile of HCV Spontaneous Clarified Individuals, Denotes Previous HCV Infection JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE. MDPI. 7. ISSN 2077-0383.

DOI

Persistent Immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in Individuals with Oncohematological Diseases Who Underwent Autologous or Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation after Vaccination

Persistent Immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in Individuals with Oncohematological Diseases Who Underwent Autologous or Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation after Vaccination. Rodríguez-Mora S, Pérez-Lamas L, Solera Sainero M, Torres M, Sánchez-Menéndez C, Corona M, Mateos E, Casado-Fernández G, Alcamí J, García-Pérez J, Pérez-Olmeda M, Murciano-Antón A, López-Jiménez J, García-Gutiérrez V, Coiras M (AC). Cancers 2023, 15(8), 2344. doi: 10.3390/cancers15082344. PMID: 37190272.

PUBMED DOI

Sustained Cytotoxic Response of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Unvaccinated Individuals Admitted to the ICU Due to Critical COVID-19 Is Essential to Avoid a Fatal Outcome

Sustained Cytotoxic Response of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Unvaccinated Individuals Admitted to the ICU Due to Critical COVID-19 Is Essential to Avoid a Fatal Outcome. Casado-Fernández G, Corona M, Torres M, Saez AJ, Ramos-Martín F, Manzanares M, Vigón L, Mateos E, Pozo F, Casas I, García-Gutierrez V, Rodríguez-Mora S, Coiras M (AC). Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan20;20(3):1947. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20031947. PMID: 36767310.

PUBMED DOI

Dasatinib: effects on the macrophage phospho proteome with a focus on SAMHD1 and HIV-1 infection

Dasatinib: effects on the macrophage phospho proteome with a focus on SAMHD1 and HIV-1 infection. Williams ESCP, Szaniawski MA, Martins LJ, Innis EA, Alcamí J, Hanley TM, Spivak AM, Coiras M, Planelles V. Clin Res HIV AIDS.2022;8(1):1053. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36589263/. PMID: 36589263.

PUBMED

Early Cellular and Humoral Responses Developed in Oncohematological Patients after Vaccination with One Dose against COVID-19

Early Cellular and Humoral Responses Developed in Oncohematological Patients after Vaccination with One Dose against COVID-19. Rodríguez-Mora S, Corona M, Torres M, Casado-Fernández G, García-Pérez J, Ramos-Martín F, Vigón L, Manzanares M, Mateos E, Martín-Moro F, Zurdo-Castronuño A, Murciano-Antón MA, Alcamí J, Pérez-Olmeda M, López-Jiménez J, García-Gutiérrez V, Coiras M (AC). J Clin Med. 2022 May 16;11(10):2803. doi: 10.3390/jcm11102803. PMID: 35628927.

PUBMED DOI

Changes in the immune response against SARS-CoV-2 in individuals with severe COVID-19 treated with high dose of vitamin D

Changes in the immune response against SARS-CoV-2 in individuals with severe COVID-19 treated with high dose of vitamin D. Torres M, Casado G, Vigón L, Rodríguez-Mora S, Mateos E, Ramos-Martín F, López-Wolf D, Sanz-Moreno J, Ryan-Murua P, Taboada-Martínez ML, López-Huertas MR, Cervero M, Coiras M (AC). Biomed Pharmacother. 2022 Apr 14;150:112965. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112965. PMID: 35468580.

PUBMED DOI

Strong Cellular Immune Response, but Not Humoral, against SARS-CoV-2 in Oncohematological Patients with Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation after Natural Infection.

Strong Cellular Immune Response, but Not Humoral, against SARS-CoV-2 in Oncohematological Patients with Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation after Natural Infection. Vigón L, Sánchez-Tornero A, Rodríguez-Mora S, García-Pérez J, Corona de Lapuerta M, Pérez-Lamas L, Casado-Fernández G, Moreno G, Torres M, Mateos E, Murciano-Antón MA, Alcamí J, Pérez-Olmeda M, López-Jiménez J, García-Gutiérrez V, Coiras M (AC). J Clin Med. 2022 Apr 11;11(8):2137. doi: 10.3390/jcm11082137. PMID: 35456230.

PUBMED DOI

Persistent overactive cytotoxic immune response in a Spanish cohort of individuals with Long-COVID: Identification of diagnostic biomarkers

Persistent overactive cytotoxic immune response in a Spanish cohort of individuals with Long-COVID: Identification of diagnostic biomarkers. Galán M, Vigón L, Fuertes D, Murciano-Antón MA, Casado-Fernández G, Domínguez-Mateos S, Mateos E, Ramos-Martín F, Planelles V, Torres M, Rodríguez-Mora S, López-Huertas MR, Coiras M (CA). Front Immunol. 2022 Mar 25;13:848886. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.848886. PMID: 35401523

PUBMED DOI

Pharmacologic control of homeostatic and antigen-driven proliferation to target HIV-1 persistence

Pharmacologic control of homeostatic and antigen-driven proliferation to target HIV-1 persistence. Innis EA, Levinger C, Szaniawski MA, Williams ESCP, Alcamí J, Bosque A, Schiffer JT, Coiras M, Spivak AM, Planelles V. Biochem Pharmacol. 2021 Oct 26:114816. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114816. PMID: 34715067.

PUBMED DOI

Impaired Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in a Spanish Cohort of Patients With COVID-19 Admitted to the ICU.

Impaired Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in a Spanish Cohort of Patients With COVID-19 Admitted to the ICU. Vigón L, García-Pérez J, Rodríguez-Mora S, Torres M, Mateos E, Castillo de la Osa M, Cervero M, Malo De Molina R, Navarro C, Murciano-Antón MA, García-Gutiérrez V, Planelles V, Alcamí J, Pérez-Olmeda M, López-Huertas MR, Coiras M (AC). Front Immunol. 2021 Sep 20;12:742631. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.742631. eCollection 2021. PMID: 34616404.

PUBMED DOI

4 Entries per Page
8 Entries per Page
20 Entries per Page
40 Entries per Page
60 Entries per Page

Showing 381 to 400 of 703 entries.

Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
Page 19
Page 20
Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
Page 36

Content with Investigacion Virología Molecular .

Concepción Casado Herrero

Tenure Scientist of Public Research Organizations (OPIs)

ORCID code: 0000-0003-3412-2877
María Pernas Escario

Senior Specialized Technician of Public Research Organizations (OPIs)

ORCID code: 0000-0003-2966-0160
Virginia Sandonís Martín

Senior Specialized Technician of Public Research Organizations (OPIs)

ORCID code: 0000-0001-5762-7531
Rosa Fuentes Fernández

Laboratory Technician

List of staff

Additional Information

Our group is interested in the mechanisms of generation of hematopoietic cells throughout ontogeny and the influence that the first hematopoietic cells, belonging to the innate/pseudoinnate immune system, exert on the adaptive immune system in the adult individual. Our lines of research include the analysis of pseudoinnate lymphoid populations, which connect the innate and adaptive immune systems, and whose origin is in progenitors of early ontogeny. We are trying to understand its role in the immune response through TLR receptors (“Toll-like receptors”) throughout life, particularly in animal models of bacterial infection, with the aim of designing new vaccine therapies. We analyze immune diversity in animal models and in human samples of children and elderly people diagnosed with respiratory disease, by: a) analyzing the lymphoid subpopulations of the local response. b) the study of the genetic rearrangements of the immunoglobulins that are produced. c) the systemic effector response and in peripheral organs. These approaches, carried out both in the mouse model and in human samples, will facilitate the design of more effective therapies and the characterization of biomarkers, adapted to the pediatric and elderly population, useful for the health field and technological innovation.rupo está interesado en los mecanismos de generación de células hematopoyéticas a lo largo de la ontogenia y la influencia que las primeras células hematopoyéticas, pertenecientes al sistema inmune innato/pseudoinnato, ejercen sobre el sistema inmune adaptativo en el individuo adulto. Nuestras líneas de investigación incluyen el análisis de poblaciones linfoides pseudoinnatas, que conectan el sistema inmune innato y adaptativo, y cuyo origen está en progenitores de la ontogenia temprana. Intentamos entender su papel en la respuesta inmune a través de receptores TLR (“Toll-like receptors”) a lo largo de la vida, en particular en modelos animales de infección bacteriana, con objeto de diseñar nuevas terapias vacunales. Analizamos la diversidad inmune en modelos animales y en muestras humanas de niños y ancianos diagnosticados de enfermedad respiratoria, mediante: a) el análisis de las subpoblaciones linfoides de la respuesta local. b) el estudio de los reordenamientos genéticos de las inmunoglobulinas que se producen. c) la respuesta efectora sistémica y en órganos periféricos. Estas aproximaciones, realizadas tanto en el modelo de ratón como en muestras humanas, facilitarán el diseño de terapias más eficaces y la caracterización de biomarcadores, adaptados a la población infantil y envejecida, de utilidad para el ámbito sanitario y de innovación tecnológica.

Doctoral theses

“Expression and functionality of tlr2 and tlr4 in lymphomyeloid populations present in the lung and lymphoid organs during embryonic and neonatal life in mouse models.” Carolina Ruiz Sánchez. Complutense University of Madrid, 2022

Master's thesis

Detection and characterization of extracellular vesicles of platelet origin in lung supernatants from SPN-infected animals. Marta Paris, Alcalá University, 2024

Study of TLR-dependent activation in the RAW 264.7 macrophage line. Iñigo Merino de Saracho, Alcalá University, 2023

Study of the functionality of TLR receptors in the lung and other lymphoid organs in B cell populations using the neonatal mouse model. Yolanda Campanero, Alcalá University, 2023

Exploratory study of T lymphoid progenitors in the neonatal mouse lung. Alejandro Arrabal, Complutense University of Madrid, 2022

Study of B lymphoid differentiation in mice deficient for CD5 and CD6 molecules. Cristina Martín, Alcalá University, 2022

Role of platelets and their progenitor cells in two animal models of infection: SPN and RSV. Ana de Lucas Rius, Alcalá University, 2020

Pilot study of RSV infection in the mouse model: cellular phenotype of myeloid and lymphoid populations in the lung in two animal models of infection: SPN and RSV. Juan Antonio Martín Quesada, Alcalá University, 2020

B cell response during Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. Eva Castro, 2020

Study of the hematopoietic potential of neonatal lung cells in the mouse model. Ana Cogollo García, Alcalá University, 2018

Innate immune response to S. pneumoniae in the lung. Rodrigo Sánchez, Complutense University of Madrid, 2018

Neonatal immunity in the mouse model: localization and function of the innate and adaptive response. Alba Ezequiel Fernández, Alcalá University, 2017

Characterization of immunoglobulin gene diversity in the mouse model of TLR4 homeostasis and activation by bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Cristina García Caballero, Alcalá University, 2017

Altered lymphopoiesis and splenic B cell subsets on Telomerase Activity Deficient Mice (TERC-/-). Juliana Manosalva, Complutense University of Madrid, 2017

Study of the Immune Response in Nasopharyngeal Washings of Infants with Bronchiolitis. Isabel Martín Barrios, Complutense University of Madrid, 2016

Dynamics of B1-REL lymphocytes in the in vivo immunization model with DNP-LPS. Inmaculada Sanz Ramos University Alcalá, 2015

Megakaryocyte differentiation pathways in the mouse model. Marta Cobos Briz, Alcalá University, 2015

Role of megakaryocytes in infectious processes. Melania Guerrero Hue, Complutense University of Madrid, 2015

Final degree projects

Study of new bacterial vaccines in the mouse (Mus musculus) infection model due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Alejandro Arrabal, Polytechnic University of Madrid, 2021

Megakaryocytes and platelets in SPN respiratory infection: Role of TLR4. Óscar González Hervás, Complutense University of Madrid, 2021

Study of the immune response mediated by pseudo-innate B lymphocytes against TLR4-dependent immunization models. Rodrigo Sánchez, Complutense University of Madrid, 2017.

Study of the diversity in the immunoglobulin repertoire in healthy individuals. Isabel Martín, Francisco de Vitoria University, 2015.

Dynamics of hematopoietic populations in the perinatal spleen. Inmaculada Sanz, Alcalá University, 2014

Teaching in training courses

Training course: Introduction to Flow Cytometry (from 2015 to present)
Training Course: Flow Cytometry Data Analysis (2018 to present)

Outreach / Citizen Science

• Collaboration in the 4th+Company CAM program.

• Collaboration with the ISCIII Scientific Culture Unit in Science Week at the ISCIII

• Scientific Dissemination Project "Talking about Science", carried out in Majadahonda primary, secondary and high school schools, since 2015 in collaboration with the Department of Education and Youth of the Majadahonda City Council: “How your Immune System works and healthy lifestyle habits to take care of it”