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Research Lines

Content with Investigacion Inmunidad Humoral y Vacunas frente al VIH .

Classical viral vaccines rely on the induction of neutralizing antibodies. In the case of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the viral spike has evolved to evade recognition by these antibodies. Despite these obstacles, certain monoclonal antibodies capable of neutralizing the majority of primary HIV-1 isolates have been successfully isolated and have demonstrated efficacy both in controlling viremia and in providing protection against infection in animal models. These are known as broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs).


 

In order to identify the factors involved in the induction of these antibodies and to develop preventive strategies based on bNAb induction, we are pursuing the following research lines:

  1. Determination of factors associated with the induction of effective humoral responses in different scenarios: recent infection, chronic infection, co-infection with hepatitis C virus, reinfection, and pediatric infection, among others.
  2. Study of the effect of feminizing hormone therapy on the immune system of transgender women.
  3. Development of HIV-1 vaccine prototypes based on viral spike proteins incorporated into Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) from two sources:
    a) Selected from a library of randomly mutated spikes to enhance the accessibility of epitopes recognized by bNAbs.
    b) Derived from viruses present in individuals with broad neutralizing responses in recent infection.
  4. Isolation and characterization of new bNAbs against HIV-1 from individual B cells of individuals with an efficient neutralizing response. These antibodies could be used in both preventive and therapeutic strategies.
  5. Isolation of new monoclonal antibodies against other human pathogenic viruses, adapting the technology developed for HIV-1 antibody isolation, in collaboration with researchers from the National Center for Microbiology.
  6. Use of gene therapy vectors (Recombinant Adeno-Associated Viruses; rAAVs) to incorporate bNAbs and apply them in prophylactic and therapeutic strategies.

Research projects

Content with Investigacion Inmunidad Humoral y Vacunas frente al VIH .

Research Projects as Principal Investigators

Effect of Feminizing Hormone Therapy on the Immune Response in Transgender Women
Principal Investigator: Víctor Sánchez-Merino
Funding Agency: Intramural Health Strategic Action
Funding: €117,000
Participating Institutions: ISCIII, IRSICAIXA, 7 Infectious diseases units (Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón (HGUGM-INF), Hospital Universitario La Paz (HULP), Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor (HUIL), Hospital Fundación Jiménez Díaz (FJD), Fundación Universitario la Princesa (HUP), Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (HURyC) y Hospital Universitario Doce de Octubre (HU12O), Centro Sandoval, 1 Gender Identity Unit, Facultad de psicología (UAM), Facultad de Geografía e Historia (UCM) and three ONGs
Duration: 01/01/2025- 31/12/2027
Project Reference: PI24CIII/00031

Design of Vaccine Prototypes based on HIV-1 Envelope presented on Virus-Like Particles and Nanodiscs
Principal Investigator: Eloísa Yuste Herranz
Funding agency: Knowledge Generation Projects. State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation.
Funding: €125,000
Participating Institutions: ISCIII and University of UNSW (Sydney, Australia)
Duration: 01/09/24–31/12/28
Reference: Project PID2023-148729OB-100 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by FEDER, UE.

 

Funding for Research Assistant Position. Project: New Approaches to Immunogen Design for the Induction of Anti-HIV-1 Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies (bNAbs) Based on Viral Envelope Proteins Presented on VLPs
Principal Investigator: Eloísa Yuste Herranz
Funding Agency: Youth Employment Plan (Community of Madrid)
Funding: Hiring of a senior graduate for 2 years
Participating Institutions: ISCIII
Duration: 01/04/2024 – 31/03/2026
Project Reference: SAL-GL-28125

Generation of an Adenovirus-Associated Vector for the Delivery of a Broadly Neutralizing Antibody (bNAb) Against HIV-1 That Does Not Induce Anti-Antibody Responses. Funding for Research Assistant Position. 
Principal Investigator: Víctor Sánchez Merino
Funding Agency: FUAX-Santander
Funding: €90,000
Participating Institutions: Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio and ISCIII
Duration: 01/04/2022 – 01/04/2025
Project Reference: 1.013.008

New Approaches to Immunogen Design for the Induction of Anti-HIV-1 Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies (bNAbs) Based on Viral Envelope Proteins Presented on Virus-Like Particles (VLPs). 
Principal Investigator: Eloísa Yuste Herranz
Funding Agency: Intramural Health Strategic Action
Funding: €77,000
Participating Institutions: Fraunhofer Institute (Germany) and ISCIII
Duration: 01/01/2021 – 30/06/2024
Project Reference: PI20CIII/00039

Development of Immunogens and Vaccination Strategies to Optimize the Induction of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies (bNAbs) Against HIV-1.                                  
Principal Investigator: Eloísa Yuste Herranz
Funding Agency: Intramural Health Strategic Action
Funding: €117,000
Participating Institutions: Fraunhofer Institute (Germany) and ISCIII
Duration: 01/01/2018 – 31/12/2021
Personnel Hiring: One postdoctoral researcher for 3 years
Project Reference: PI17/00049

Isolation and Characterization of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies Against HIV-1 from Recently Infected Patients.
Principal Investigator: Eloísa Yuste Herranz
Funding Agency: Health Strategic Action (ISCIII)
Funding: €57,475
Participating Institutions: IDIBAPS, Fraunhofer Institute (Germany), and ISCIII
Duration: 01/01/2014 – 30/04/2017
Project Reference: PI13/01528

Development of an HIV Vaccine: Isolation and Characterization of New Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies.
Principal Investigator: Eloísa Yuste Herranz
Funding Agency: Health Research Fund (ISCIII)
Funding: €116,765
Participating Institutions: IDIBAPS and ISCIII
Duration: 01/01/2010 – 31/12/2012
Project Reference: PI09/1459

Optimization of the HIV-1 Envelope Protein as an Immunogen.                            
Principal Investigator: Eloísa Yuste Herranz
Funding Agency: Spanish Foundation for AIDS Research and Prevention (FIPSE)
Funding: €141,845
Participating Institutions: IDIBAPS
Duration: 30/10/2008 – 31/08/2012
Personnel Hiring: One senior graduate for 3 years
Project Reference: 36780/08

Optimization of the HIV-1 Envelope Protein as an Immunogen.                           
Principal Investigator: Eloísa Yuste Herranz
Funding Agency: Ramón y Cajal Program (Ministry of Education and Science)
Funding: 5-year Ramón y Cajal Researcher contract + 3 years as I3
Participating Institutions: IDIBAPS
Duration: 2008 – 2016
Project Reference: RYC-2007-00788

R&D projects as part of the research team 

Determination of factors associated with protection against Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 Reinfection: Identification of protection correlates.
Principal Investigator: María Pernas Escario
Funding Agency: Gilead Sciences
Funding: €16,630
Participating Entities: Centro Sandoval and ISCIII
Duration: 01/01/2023 - 31/12/2023
Contract/Project File: GLD22/001144

EAVI2020: European AIDS Vaccine Initiative 2020
Principal Investigator: José Alcamí Pertejo
Funding Agency: Horizon 2020 (European Union; EU)
Funding: €403,829
Participating Entities: ISCIII and an EU consortium
Duration: 01/01/2015 - 30/04/2021
Contract/Project File: MPY1398/15

EHVA, European HIV Vaccine Alliance (EHVA): an EU platform for the discovery and evaluation of novel prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine candidates.
Principal Investigator: Felipe García Alcaide
Funding Agency: Horizon 2020 (European Union; EU)
Funding: €1,000,000
Participating Entities: IDIBAPS and an EU consortium
Duration: 01/01/2018 - 31/12/2020
Contract/Project File: 681032

Grup de Recerca VIH/SIDA
Principal Investigator: José María Gatell
Funding Agency: AGAUR_SGR14 (Generalitat de Catalunya-projects)
Funding: €63,000
Participating Entities: IDIBAPS
Duration: 01/01/2014 - 30/04/2017
Contract/Project File: 214_SGR_706

SIDA Vaccine Research Project (HIVACAT)
Principal Investigator: José María Gatell
Funding Agency: MINECO (INNPACTO Program)
Funding: €288,740
Participating Entities: IDIBAPS and Irsicaixa
Duration: 01/01/2013 - 31/03/2020
Contract/Project File: PT-2012-0325-010000

Design, synthesis, and anti-HIV-1 study of peptide domains of GB virus B
Principal Investigator: Isabel Haro
Funding Agency: Foundation for AIDS Research and Prevention (FIPSE)
Funding: €33,000
Participating Entities: IQAC-CSIC and IDIBAPS
Duration: 09/03/2010 - 30/11/2014
Contract/Project File: 36-0735-09
 

Publications

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Alcazar-Fuoli L, Clavaud C, Lamarre C, Aimanianda V, Seidl-Seiboth V, Mellado E, Latgé JP. Functional analysis of the fungal/plant class chitinase family in Aspergillus fumigatus.

Alcazar-Fuoli L, Clavaud C, Lamarre C, Aimanianda V, Seidl-Seiboth V, Mellado E, Latgé JP. Functional analysis of the fungal/plant class chitinase family in Aspergillus fumigatus. Fungal Genet Biol. 2011 Apr;48(4):418-29. doi: 10.1016/j.fgb.2010.12.007. Epub 2010 Dec 22. PMID: 21184840.

PUBMED DOI

Impact of DARC rs12075 Variants on Liver Fibrosis Progression in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C: A Retrospective Study.

Jiménez-Sousa MA (AC); Gómez-Moreno AZ; Pineda-Tenor D; et al. (1/9) Impact of DARC rs12075 Variants on Liver Fibrosis Progression in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C: A Retrospective Study. Biomolecules 2019; 9(4).​

DBP rs16846876 and rs12512631 polymorphisms are associated with progression to AIDS naïve HIV-infected patients: a retrospective study.

Jiménez-Sousa MA (AC); Jiménez JL; Fernández-Rodríguez A; et al. (1/10). DBP rs16846876 and rs12512631 polymorphisms are associated with progression to AIDS naïve HIV-infected patients: a retrospective study. Journal of Biomedical Science. 2019; 23;26(1):83. doi: 10.1186/s12929-019-0577-y.

TRPM5 rs886277 Polymorphism Predicts Hepatic Fibrosis Progression in Non-Cirrhotic HCV-Infected Patients.Journal of Clinical Medicine.

Resino S; Fernández-Rodríguez A; Pineda-Tenor D; et al; Jiménez-Sousa MA. (11/11). 2021. TRPM5 rs886277 Polymorphism Predicts Hepatic Fibrosis Progression in Non-Cirrhotic HCV-Infected Patients.Journal of Clinical Medicine. 10-3, pp.483. ISSN 2077-0383. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10030483.

Plasma metabolomic fingerprint of advanced cirrhosis stages among HIV/HCV-coinfected and HCV-monoinfected patients

Salguero, Sergio; Rojo, David; Berenguer, Juan; et al; Jimenez-Sousa, Maria A. (AC) (15/15). 2020. Plasma metabolomic fingerprint of advanced cirrhosis stages among HIV/HCV-coinfected and HCV-monoinfected patients LIVER INTERNATIONAL. 40-9, pp.2215-2227. ISSN 1478-3223. https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.14580 3

Telomere Length Increase in HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients with Cirrhosis after HCV Eradication with Direct-Acting Antivirals JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE.

Molina-Carrion, Silvia; Brochado-Kith, Oscar; Gonzalez-Garcia, Juan; et al; Jimenez-Sousa, Maria Angeles. (12/12). 2020. Telomere Length Increase in HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients with Cirrhosis after HCV Eradication with Direct-Acting Antivirals JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE. 9. ISSN 2077-0383. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9082407.

Treatment of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis: Current Standards and Future Perspectives. Respiration. 2018 Jul

Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Cadranel J, Flick H, Godet C, Hennequin C, Hoenigl M, Kosmidis C, Lange C, Munteanu O, Page I, Salzer HJF; on behalf of CPAnet. Treatment of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis: Current Standards and Future Perspectives. Respiration. 2018 Jul 6:1-12. doi: 10.1159/000489474. [Epub ahead of print] Review. PMID: 29982245.

PUBMED DOI

The Diagnostic Laboratory Hub: A New Health Care System Reveals the Incidence and Mortality of Tuberculosis, Histoplasmosis, and Cryptococcosis of PWH in Guatemala. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2019 Dec

Samayoa B, Aguirre L, Bonilla O, Medina N, Lau-Bonilla D, Mercado D, Moller A, Perez JC, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Arathoon E, Denning DW, Rodríguez-Tudela JL; “Fungired”. The Diagnostic Laboratory Hub: A New Health Care System Reveals the Incidence and Mortality of Tuberculosis, Histoplasmosis, and Cryptococcosis of PWH in Guatemala. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2019 Dec 15;7(1):ofz534. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofz534. PMID: 31915715.

PUBMED DOI

Fungired. Comparative performance of the laboratory assays used by a Diagnostic Laboratory Hub for opportunistic infections in people living with HIV. AIDS. 2020 Sep 1

Medina N, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Mercado D, Bonilla O, Pérez JC, Aguirre L, Samayoa B, Arathoon E, Denning DW, Rodriguez-Tudela JL; Fungired. Comparative performance of the laboratory assays used by a Diagnostic Laboratory Hub for opportunistic infections in people living with HIV. AIDS. 2020 Sep 1;34(11):1625-1632. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000002631. PMID: 32694415.

PUBMED DOI

Population-Based Program of filamentous fungi and Antifungal Resistance in Spain (FILPOP STUDY). Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2013 Jul

Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo*, Emilia Mellado, Teresa Pelaez, Javier Pemán, Soledad Zapico, María Álvarez, Juan L Rodriguez-Tudela, Manuel Cuenca-Estrella Population-Based Program of filamentous fungi and Antifungal Resistance in Spain (FILPOP STUDY). Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2013 Jul;57(7):3380-7. doi: 10.1128/AAC.01287-13. PMID: 28319466

PUBMED DOI

The global problem of antifungal resistance: prevalence, mechanisms, and management. Lancet Infect Dis. 2017 Dec

Perlin DS, Rautemaa-Richardson R, Alastruey-Izquierdo A. The global problem of antifungal resistance: prevalence, mechanisms, and management. Lancet Infect Dis. 2017 Dec;17(12. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(17)30316-X. PMID: 28774698.

PUBMED DOI

Sequence Analysis of In Vivo-Expressed HIV-1 Spliced RNAs Reveals the Usage of New and Unusual Splice Sites by Viruses of Different Subtypes.

Vega Y, Delgado E, de la Barrera J, Carrera C, Zaballos Á, Cuesta I, Mariño A, Ocampo A, Miralles C, Pérez-Castro S, Álvarez H, López-Miragaya I, García-Bodas E, Díez-Fuertes F, Thomson MM. Sequence Analysis of In Vivo-Expressed HIV-1 Spliced RNAs Reveals the Usage of New and Unusual Splice Sites by Viruses of Different Subtypes. PLoS One. 2016 Jun 29;11(6):e0158525.

PUBMED DOI

Y155H amino acid substitution in influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses does not confer a phenotype of reduced susceptibility to neuraminidase inhibitors

Perez-Sautu U, Pozo F, Cuesta I, Monzon S, Calderon A, Gonzalez M, Molinero M, Lopez-Miragaya I, Rey S, Cañizares A, Rodriguez G, Gonzalez-Velasco C, Lackenby A, Casas I. Y155H amino acid substitution in influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses does not confer a phenotype of reduced susceptibility to neuraminidase inhibitors. Euro Surveill. 2014 Jul 10;19(27):14-20.

PUBMED DOI

Comparison of two highly discriminatory typing methods to analyze Aspergillus fumigatus azole resistance

Garcia-Rubio R, Escribano P, Gomez A, Guinea J, and Mellado E. Comparison of two highly discriminatory typing methods to analyze Aspergillus fumigatus azole resistance. Frontiers in Microbiology 2018. Jul 20;9:1626.

PUBMED DOI

Evaluation of the possible influence of trailing and paradoxical effects on the clinical outcome of patients with candidemia.

Rueda C, Puig-Asensio M, Guinea J, Almirante B, Cuenca-Estrella M, Zaragoza O. Evaluation of the possible influence of trailing and paradoxical effects on the clinical outcome of patients with candidemia. CANDIPOP Project from GEIH-GEMICOMED (SEIMC) and REIPI. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2017 Jan; 23(1):49.e1-49.e8.

PUBMED DOI

Development and Validation of a High-Resolution Melting Assay To Detect Azole Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus.

Bernal-Martínez L, Gil H, Rivero-Menéndez O, Gago S, Cuenca-Estrella M, Mellado E, Alastruey-Izquierdo A. Development and Validation of a High-Resolution Melting Assay To Detect Azole Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2017 Nov 22;61(12). pii: e01083-17.

PUBMED DOI

Cervicofacial lymphadenitis due Mycobacterium mantenii: rapid and reliable identification by MALDI-TOF MS.

Nebreda T, Andres AG, Fuentes S, Calleja R, Jimenez MS. Cervicofacial lymphadenitis due Mycobacterium mantenii: rapid and reliable identification by MALDI-TOF MS. New Microbes and New Infections .2018. March 22:1-3.

PUBMED DOI

In-depth analysis of the genome sequence of a clinical, extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium bovis strain.

Sagasta S, Millan-Lou MI, Jiménez MS, Martin C, Samper S. In-depth analysis of the genome sequence of a clinical, extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium bovis strain. Tuberculosis. 2016. Sep. 100:46-52.

PUBMED DOI

Structure and immunogenicity of pre-fusion-stabilized human metapneumovirus F glycoprotein.

Battles MB, Mas V, Olmedillas E, Cano O, Vazquez M, Rodriguez L, et al. Structure and immunogenicity of pre-fusion-stabilized human metapneumovirus F glycoprotein. Nat Commun. 2017;8(1):1528.

PUBMED DOI

Generation and Characterization of ALX-0171, a Potent Novel Therapeutic Nanobody for the Treatment of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Detalle L, Stohr T, Palomo C, Piedra PA, Gilbert BE, Mas V, et al. Generation and Characterization of ALX-0171, a Potent Novel Therapeutic Nanobody for the Treatment of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2016;60(1):6-13.

PUBMED DOI

Content with Investigacion Inmunidad Humoral y Vacunas frente al VIH .

List of staff

Additional Information

Participation in research networks

Network Biomedical Research Center in Infectious Diseases
Participation: Member of the research team (Víctor Sánchez Merino); Coordinator of the "Preventive Vaccines against HIV-1" working group, HIV Program (Eloísa Yuste Herranz)
Funding agency: ISCIII
Duration: 2023 - Present
Code: CIBERINFEC, group CB21/13/00015

AIDS Research Network
Participation: Member of the research team (Víctor Sánchez Merino); Head of the bNAbs Detection and Characterization Working Group, Vaccine Program (Eloísa Yuste Herranz)
Funding agency: ISCIII
Duration: 01/01/2017-12/31/2021
Code: RETICS; RD16CIII/0002/0001

AIDS Research Network
Participation: Member of the research team (Víctor Sánchez Merino); Head of the Vaccine Development Working Group, Immunopathogenesis Program (Eloísa Yuste Herranz)
Funding agency: ISCIII
Duration: 01/01/2013-12/31/2017
Code: RETICS; RD12/0017

AIDS Research Network
Participation: Members of the research team (Víctor Sánchez Merino and Eloísa Yuste Herranz)
Funding agency: ISCIII
Duration: 04/04/2008-12/31/2013
Code: RETICS; RD12/0017

Supervised doctoral theses

Development of immunogens and vaccination strategies to optimize the induction of broad-spectrum neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1. Student: Carolina Beltrán Pávez. Thesis co-director: Víctor Sánchez Merino; Eloísa Yuste Herranz. Implementation entity: IDIBAPS / ISCIII / Universitat de Barcelona. Defense date: 11/26/2018. Grade obtained: Excellent Cum Laude

Characterization of the neutralizing response of patients with recent HIV-1 infection and isolation of antibodies. Student: Amanda Fabra García. Thesis co-director: Víctor Sánchez Merino; Eloísa Yuste Herranz. Implementation entity: IDIBAPS / Universitat de Barcelona. Defense date: 07/20/2017. Grade obtained: Excellent Cum Laude

Broadly neutralizing antibody responses against HIV-1: Characterization and design of new immunogens. Student: Carolina Barbosa Ferreira. Thesis co-director: Víctor Sánchez Merino; Eloísa Yuste Herranz. Implementation entity: IDIBAPS / Universitat de Barcelona. Defense date: 02/25/2013. Qualification obtained: Excellent Cum Laude (European Doctorate)

Participation in research networks

Network Biomedical Research Center in Infectious Diseases
Participation: Member of the research team (Víctor Sánchez Merino); Coordinator of the "Preventive Vaccines against HIV-1" working group, HIV Program (Eloísa Yuste Herranz)
Funding agency: ISCIII
Duration: 2023 - Present
Code: CIBERINFEC, group CB21/13/00015

AIDS Research Network
Participation: Member of the research team (Víctor Sánchez Merino); Head of the bNAbs Detection and Characterization Working Group, Vaccine Program (Eloísa Yuste Herranz)
Funding agency: ISCIII
Duration: 01/01/2017-12/31/2021
Code: RETICS; RD16CIII/0002/0001

AIDS Research Network
Participation: Member of the research team (Víctor Sánchez Merino); Head of the Vaccine Development Working Group, Immunopathogenesis Program (Eloísa Yuste Herranz)
Funding agency: ISCIII
Duration: 01/01/2013-12/31/2017
Code: RETICS; RD12/0017

AIDS Research Network
Participation: Members of the research team (Víctor Sánchez Merino and Eloísa Yuste Herranz)
Funding agency: ISCIII
Duration: 04/04/2008-12/31/2013
Code: RETICS; RD12/0017

Supervised doctoral theses

Development of immunogens and vaccination strategies to optimize the induction of broad-spectrum neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1. Student: Carolina Beltrán Pávez. Thesis co-director: Víctor Sánchez Merino; Eloísa Yuste Herranz. Implementation entity: IDIBAPS / ISCIII / Universitat de Barcelona. Defense date: 11/26/2018. Grade obtained: Excellent Cum Laude

Characterization of the neutralizing response of patients with recent HIV-1 infection and isolation of antibodies. Student: Amanda Fabra García. Thesis co-director: Víctor Sánchez Merino; Eloísa Yuste Herranz. Implementation entity: IDIBAPS / Universitat de Barcelona. Defense date: 07/20/2017. Grade obtained: Excellent Cum Laude

Broadly neutralizing antibody responses against HIV-1: Characterization and design of new immunogens. Student: Carolina Barbosa Ferreira. Thesis co-director: Víctor Sánchez Merino; Eloísa Yuste Herranz. Implementation entity: IDIBAPS / Universitat de Barcelona. Defense date: 02/25/2013. Qualification obtained: Excellent Cum Laude (European Doctorate)

Content with Investigacion Inmunidad Humoral y Vacunas frente al VIH .