@article{simoes_lavoy_dean_2019, title={Effects of Regulatory T Cell Depletion on NK Cell Responses against Listeria monocytogenes in Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Cats}, volume={11}, ISSN={["1999-4915"]}, DOI={10.3390/v11110984}, abstractNote={Regulatory T cells (Treg) are key players in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance, preventing autoimmune diseases and restraining chronic inflammatory diseases. Evidence suggests Treg cells and NK cells have important roles in feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) pathogenesis; however, in vivo studies investigating the interplay between these two cell populations are lacking. We previously described innate immune defects in FIV-infected cats characterized by cytokine deficits and impaired natural killer cell (NK) and NK T cell (NKT) functions. In this study, we investigated whether in vivo Treg depletion by treatment with an anti-feline CD25 monoclonal antibody would improve the innate immune response against subcutaneous challenge with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). Treg depletion resulted in an increased overall number of cells in Lm-draining lymph nodes and increased proliferation of NK and NKT cells in FIV-infected cats. Treg depletion did not normalize expression of perforin or granzyme A by NK and NKT cells, nor did Treg depletion result in improved clearance of Lm. Thus, despite the quantitative improvements in the NK and NKT cell responses to Lm, there was no functional improvement in the early control of Lm. CD1a+ dendritic cell percentages in the lymph nodes of FIV-infected cats were lower than in specific-pathogen-free control cats and failed to upregulate CD80 even when Treg were depleted. Taken together, Treg depletion failed to improve the innate immune response of FIV-infected cats against Lm and this may be due to dendritic cell dysfunction.}, number={11}, journal={VIRUSES-BASEL}, author={Simoes, Rita D. and LaVoy, Alora and Dean, Gregg A.}, year={2019}, month={Nov} }
 @article{stoeker_overman_nordone_moeser_simoes_dean_2013, title={Infection with feline immunodeficiency Virus alters intestinal epithelial transport and mucosal immune responses to probiotics}, volume={153}, ISSN={["0165-2427"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.vetimm.2013.01.017}, abstractNote={HIV infection is associated with intestinal mucosal dysfunction and probiotics offer the therapeutic potential to enhance the mucosal barrier in HIV+ patients. To evaluate the response of immunocompromised hosts to probiotics, we orally administered Lactobacillus acidophilus to cats with chronic feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection. FIV infection significantly affected transcellular, but not paracellular, transport of small molecules across the intestinal epithelium. Additionally, probiotic treatment of FIV+ cats resulted in changes in cytokine release and mucosal leukocyte percentages that were not paralleled in FIV- cats. These results suggest a novel role for FIV in upregulating transcellular transport across the gastrointestinal epithelial barrier and demonstrate the potential therapeutic use of probiotic bacteria to restore intestinal homeostasis.}, number={1-2}, journal={VETERINARY IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY}, author={Stoeker, Laura L. and Overman, Elizabeth L. and Nordone, Shila K. and Moeser, Adam J. and Simoes, Rita D. and Dean, Gregg A.}, year={2013}, month={May}, pages={146–152} }
 @article{simoes_howard_dean_2012, title={In Vivo Assessment of Natural Killer Cell Responses during Chronic Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Infection}, volume={7}, ISSN={["1932-6203"]}, DOI={10.1371/journal.pone.0037606}, abstractNote={Accumulating evidence suggests that natural killer (NK) cells may have an important role in HIV-1 disease pathogenesis; however, in vivo studies are lacking. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection of cats provides a valuable model to study NK cell function in vivo. The immune response against Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is well characterized, allowing its use as an innate immune probe. We have previously shown that locally delivered IL-15 can improve Lm clearance in FIV-infected animals, and this correlated with an increase in NK cell number. In the present study, chronically FIV-infected and SPF-control cats were challenged with Lm by unilateral subcutaneous injection next to the footpad and then treated with 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU). The Lm draining and contralateral control lymph nodes were evaluated for NK, NKT, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell number, proliferation, apoptosis, and NK cell function. Listeria monocytogenes burden was also assessed in both control and Lm draining lymph nodes. NK, NKT, CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells in the Lm-challenged lymph node of FIV-infected cats did not increase in number. In addition, after Lm challenge, NK cells from FIV-infected cats did not increase their proliferation rate, apoptosis was elevated, and perforin expression was not upregulated when compared to SPF-control cats. The failure of the NK cell response against Lm challenge in the draining lymph node of FIV-infected cats correlates with the delayed control and clearance of this opportunistic bacterial pathogen.}, number={5}, journal={PLOS ONE}, author={Simoes, Rita D. and Howard, Kristina E. and Dean, Gregg A.}, year={2012}, month={May} }