Tat-specific antibodies associated with better HIV-associated motor function

Abstract Tat is a transactivator of HIV transcription that can be secreted to affect nearby cells. Deleterious central nervous system effects of extracellular Tat include dopaminergic neuron dysfunction, raising the possibility that Tat secretion may be linked to Parkinsonian motor features seen in...

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Main Authors: Catarina E. Hioe, Clauvis Kunkeng Yengo, Xiaomei Liu, Reuben Davis, Gospel Enyindah-Asonye, Jéromine Klingler, Alex F. Tang, Juan C. Bandres, Anuradha Ganesan, Tahaniyat Lalani, Joseph Yabes, Brian K. Agan, Xiaokun Liu, David J. Volsky, Susan Morgello, Jessica Robinson-Papp
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Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12624-0
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author Catarina E. Hioe
Clauvis Kunkeng Yengo
Xiaomei Liu
Reuben Davis
Gospel Enyindah-Asonye
Jéromine Klingler
Alex F. Tang
Juan C. Bandres
Anuradha Ganesan
Tahaniyat Lalani
Joseph Yabes
Brian K. Agan
Xiaokun Liu
David J. Volsky
Susan Morgello
Jessica Robinson-Papp
author_facet Catarina E. Hioe
Clauvis Kunkeng Yengo
Xiaomei Liu
Reuben Davis
Gospel Enyindah-Asonye
Jéromine Klingler
Alex F. Tang
Juan C. Bandres
Anuradha Ganesan
Tahaniyat Lalani
Joseph Yabes
Brian K. Agan
Xiaokun Liu
David J. Volsky
Susan Morgello
Jessica Robinson-Papp
author_sort Catarina E. Hioe
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Tat is a transactivator of HIV transcription that can be secreted to affect nearby cells. Deleterious central nervous system effects of extracellular Tat include dopaminergic neuron dysfunction, raising the possibility that Tat secretion may be linked to Parkinsonian motor features seen in people with HIV (PWH). This study examined the potential association of anti-Tat antibodies and extrapyramidal motor dysfunction in PWH. In 42 PWH who were chronically infected and characterized for neurological abnormalities, anti-Tat IgG levels were lower in individuals with more severe extrapyramidal motor abnormalities as measured by the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). The association was observed specifically with IgG against the cysteine-rich Tat region. However, the IgG responses to Tat were weak in comparison to responses against the other HIV antigens. This disparity was evident in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, and was also seen in early infection, before antiretroviral therapy. When the effects of antibodies on Tat function were evaluated, PWH plasma had no activity against Tat-induced transactivation, while Tat-immunized mouse and rabbit sera exhibited a potent inhibitory activity. These data provide initial evidence for a protective potential of anti-Tat antibodies and raise the possibility that a therapeutic Tat vaccine might alleviate clinical signs of HIV-associated dopaminergic dysfunction.
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spelling doaj-art-ce2adac799d64846862da87ad3f163392025-08-20T03:04:30ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-12624-0Tat-specific antibodies associated with better HIV-associated motor functionCatarina E. Hioe0Clauvis Kunkeng Yengo1Xiaomei Liu2Reuben Davis3Gospel Enyindah-Asonye4Jéromine Klingler5Alex F. Tang6Juan C. Bandres7Anuradha Ganesan8Tahaniyat Lalani9Joseph Yabes10Brian K. Agan11Xiaokun Liu12David J. Volsky13Susan Morgello14Jessica Robinson-Papp15James J. Peters VA Medical CenterJames J. Peters VA Medical CenterJames J. Peters VA Medical CenterDepartment of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiDepartment of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiJames J. Peters VA Medical CenterDepartment of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiJames J. Peters VA Medical CenterDivision of Infectious Diseases, Walter Reed National Military Medical CenterInfectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesInfectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesInfectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesDepartment of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiDepartment of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiDepartment of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiDepartment of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiAbstract Tat is a transactivator of HIV transcription that can be secreted to affect nearby cells. Deleterious central nervous system effects of extracellular Tat include dopaminergic neuron dysfunction, raising the possibility that Tat secretion may be linked to Parkinsonian motor features seen in people with HIV (PWH). This study examined the potential association of anti-Tat antibodies and extrapyramidal motor dysfunction in PWH. In 42 PWH who were chronically infected and characterized for neurological abnormalities, anti-Tat IgG levels were lower in individuals with more severe extrapyramidal motor abnormalities as measured by the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). The association was observed specifically with IgG against the cysteine-rich Tat region. However, the IgG responses to Tat were weak in comparison to responses against the other HIV antigens. This disparity was evident in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, and was also seen in early infection, before antiretroviral therapy. When the effects of antibodies on Tat function were evaluated, PWH plasma had no activity against Tat-induced transactivation, while Tat-immunized mouse and rabbit sera exhibited a potent inhibitory activity. These data provide initial evidence for a protective potential of anti-Tat antibodies and raise the possibility that a therapeutic Tat vaccine might alleviate clinical signs of HIV-associated dopaminergic dysfunction.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12624-0HIVTatAntibodiesEpitopesDopaminergic neuronNeuropathogenesis
spellingShingle Catarina E. Hioe
Clauvis Kunkeng Yengo
Xiaomei Liu
Reuben Davis
Gospel Enyindah-Asonye
Jéromine Klingler
Alex F. Tang
Juan C. Bandres
Anuradha Ganesan
Tahaniyat Lalani
Joseph Yabes
Brian K. Agan
Xiaokun Liu
David J. Volsky
Susan Morgello
Jessica Robinson-Papp
Tat-specific antibodies associated with better HIV-associated motor function
Scientific Reports
HIV
Tat
Antibodies
Epitopes
Dopaminergic neuron
Neuropathogenesis
title Tat-specific antibodies associated with better HIV-associated motor function
title_full Tat-specific antibodies associated with better HIV-associated motor function
title_fullStr Tat-specific antibodies associated with better HIV-associated motor function
title_full_unstemmed Tat-specific antibodies associated with better HIV-associated motor function
title_short Tat-specific antibodies associated with better HIV-associated motor function
title_sort tat specific antibodies associated with better hiv associated motor function
topic HIV
Tat
Antibodies
Epitopes
Dopaminergic neuron
Neuropathogenesis
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12624-0
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