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We focus on translating our research findings into novel approaches to prophylactic vaccination (e.g. against coronavirus) and therapeutic vaccination (and hepatitis B virus).
Dr Matthew Reeves discusses his input to the management of CMV (one of the herps family of viruses), vaccine research, and virology as a whole.
At least some people who have avoided Covid听are beyond听lucky -听they appear to have a sort of 'super immunity'. Dr Leo Swadling speaks to听Bloomberg.
Our work
At the IIT, we have a strong focus on translating our research findings into novel approaches to prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination, for example against coronaviruses and hepatitis B virus, respectively.
We also prioritise researching the particular issues associated with harnessing effective immunity in populations with inherited or acquired immunodeficiency, including HIV.
By studying the suboptimal responses of these populations to existing antivirals and vaccines, we aim to identify those most at risk and tailor next generation therapeutics suitable to overcome immunodeficiencies.
Projects
- Development of a pan-coronavirus vaccine to block infection
Informed by our earlier work on T cell correlates of protection, we are now investigating whether a vaccine containing early expressed and conserved coronavirus antigens, targeted to the respiratory mucosa, will provide pan-coronavirus protection.
Lead Investigators
- Dr Leo Swadling (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
- Professor Mala Maini (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
Collaborators
- Professor Ellie Barnes (University of Oxford)
- Professor Matteo Iannacone (San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan)
Funding
- MRC - Therapeutic accelerator scheme
- Effect of sotrovimab on SARS-CoV-2 in immunocompromised patients
We are studying the impact of intravenous sotrovimab for COVID-19 in immunosuppressed patients, in terms of viral persistence, viral mutation (especially those associated with sotrovimab resistance) and clinical outcomes. This study (LUNAR) is funded and sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline with viral sequencing done at MyAV范.
Lead Investigators
- Dr David Lowe (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
- Professor Judy Breuer (Institute of Child Health, MyAV范)
Funding
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Effect of antiviral drugs for COVID-19 on the host immune response to SARS-CoV-2
We are running a sub-study of the national Platform Adaptive trial of for eArly NOvel antiviRals treatMent of COVID-19 in the Community (PANORAMIC) study. The trial is investigating early oral treatments for COVID-19 in high-risk patients and the MyAV范 sub-study investigates the impact of the drugs on viral load, viral mutation, host inflammatory response and host immune response (anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody).
Lead Investigators
- Dr David Lowe (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
- Professor Judy Breuer (Institute of Child Health, MyAV范)
- Professor Joe Standing (Institute of Child Health, MyAV范)
Collaborators
- Professor Chris Butler (University of Oxford)
- Dr Ly-Mee Yu (University of Oxford)
- Professor Alex Richter (University of Birmingham)
- Dr Adrian Shields (University of Birmingham)
- Dr Theo Sanderson (The Francis Crick Institute, London)
Funding
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
- Understanding infections in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
As part of the nationwide PACE study, we have explored immune responses to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and are now analysing samples to understand serious infection in AML and whether it can be predicted. We are exploring the host transcriptome, microbial DNA in blood and the microbiome in several sample types.
Lead Investigator
- Dr David Lowe (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
Collaborators
- Professor Tim McHugh (Clinical Microbiology, MyAV范)
- Dr Sylvia Rofael (Division of Infection & Immunity, MyAV范)
- Professor Simon Stanworth (University of Oxford)
- Dr Justin Loke (University of Birmingham)
Funding
- Blood Cancer UK
- Bristol Myers Squibb
- Development of cross-protective T cell vaccines
We are investigating the fundamental rules that underpin T cell cross-reactivity and how vaccines can be rationally designed to induce the most cross-protective immunity. We are studying viral sequence evolution and TCR characteristics to identify cross-reactive epitopes for inclusion in vaccines.
Lead Investigator
- Dr Leo Swadling (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
Collaborators
- Professor Mala Maini (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
- Dr Lucy van Dorp (MyAV范 Genetics)
- Dr Andreas Mayer (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
- Antibody responses to viral infection
We are exploring the role of antibody competition in B cell repertoire development to viral infection. We are also investigating why vaccines fail in immunocompromised populations and how HIV infection alters vaccine responses to coronaviruses, influenza and monkey pox virus.
Lead Investigator
- Dr Laura McCoy (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
Collaborators
- Professor Ravindra Gupta (University of Cambridge)
- Professor Menna Clatworthy (University of Cambridge)
- Professor Emma Morris (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
- Dr Fiona Burns (Royal Free Hospital / Dept of Population Health, MyAV范)
- Professor Richard Gilson (Dept of Population Health, MyAV范)
Funding
- Medical Research Council
- European Research Council
- Immune monitoring antigen-specific B and T responses in a Phase I/II trial of novel HBV immunotherapeutic vaccine
We are leading the antiviral B cell immune monitoring (and contributing to the T cell monitoring) for a multicentre ERC Horizon 2020-funded Phase I/II trial to test a novel immunotherapeutic prime/boost vaccine strategy (TherVacB) for HBV functional cure.
Lead Investigator
- Professor Mala Maini (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
Collaborators
- Professor Percy Knolle (Technical University of Munich)
- Professor Ulrike Protzer (Technical University of Munich)
- Dr Sabela Lens (FCRB, Barcelona)
- Professor Carlo Ferrari (University of Parma)
Funding
- ERC Horizon 2020
- Manipulating tissue immune cell interactions to optimise HBV therapeutic vaccination
We have uncovered novel paradigms of organ-specific regulation of T cells, for example by liver-resident NK cells and immunosuppressive neutrophils, and are defining molecular pathways to interrupt these in order to enhance immunogenicity of therapeutic vaccines in chronic viral infections like HBV.
Lead Investigators
- Professor Mala Maini (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
Collaborators
- Professor Eleanor Barnes (University of Oxford)
- Professor Ulrike Protzer (Technical University of Munich)
Funding
- Wellcome Investigator Award
- Developing a vaccine against human cytomegalovirus
We are interrogating samples collected from a previous phase II trial of a HCMV vaccine performed at the Royal Free Hospital. This approach has identified mechanistic correlates of protection that are being used to inform the design of new vaccines better able to control HCMV infection and disease. This work exploits novel nucleic acid nanotechnology to enhance vaccine design against multiple pathogens.
Lead investigators
- Dr Matthew Reeves (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
Collaborators
- Professor Paul Griffiths (Emeritus MyAV范)
- Professor Ben Seddon (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
- Professor Stefan Howorka (Department of Chemistry, MyAV范)
- Professor Mark Wills (University of Cambridge)
Funding
- Rosetrees Trust
- BBSRC
- Wellcome Trust
- Medical Research Council
- Kidney Research UK
- Exploiting Natural Killer cells in HIV/HBV co-infection to achieve eradication
Our primary focus is to gain a comprehensive understanding of immune responses in individuals with chronic HBV and HIV/HBV coinfection, with special emphasis on Natural Killer (NK) cells. By delving into the adaptive-like attributes of NK cells within different anatomical compartments, we aim to unveil new insights into their functionality. Our ultimate objective is to pave the way for the development of cutting-edge NK cell-based immunotherapies tailored for patients with chronic viral diseases.
Lead Investigator
- Dimitra Peppa (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
Collaborators
- Prof. Mala Maini (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
- Dr Upkar Gill (Barts Liver Centre, Barts & The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, QMUL)
- Prof. Karl-Johan Malmberg (Oslo University Hospital)
- Dr Rachael Bashford-Rogers (Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, UK)
Funding
- NIH / NIAID
- Natural killer cell regulation of antiviral responses in HIV infection
We aim to determine the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing NK cell antiviral function in HIV infection. Based on our recent findings highlighting NK cells modulation of humoral responses, an important aim is to identify key pathways and receptor-ligand interactions that mediate NK cell immunoregulation of the HIV antibody response. This will be instrumental in designing future vaccine strategies that target these pathways, ultimately enhancing the generation of broadly neutralising antibodies.
Lead Investigators
- Dr听Dimitra Peppa (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
Collaborators
- Dr Todd Bradley (University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine)
- Professor Persephone Borrow (University of Oxford)
- Professor Bart Haynes (Duke University School of Medicine, USA)
Funding
- NIH / NIAID
- Defining the role of NK cells and T cell responses in people with HIV immunity in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination
Our aim is to dissect the involvement of T cells and NK cell memory responses following SARS-CoV2 natural infection/vaccination, particularly in individuals with suboptimal humoral immunity. By gaining a deeper insight into the factors that offer protection, we can enhance our understanding of vaccine efficacy. This knowledge will guide the development of novel vaccine strategies and enable better monitoring of vulnerable patient populations.听
Lead Investigator
- Dr Dimitra Peppa (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
Collaborators
- Professor Fiona Burns (Royal Free Hospital / Dept of Population Health, MyAV范)
- Dr Laura Waters (Mortimer Market Centre)
- Mortimer Market Centre, CNWL Research team for Jenner II study
- Ian Charleson Day Centre, Royal Free Hospital, Research team for Jenner II study
Funding
- Roche
- Dissecting drivers of chronic inflammation in people living with HIV with focus on CMV
The primary objective of this project is to assess the interplay between CMV burden, ongoing inflammation and immune cell dysregulation in people living with HIV. Our goal is to identify patients who would derive significant advantages from CMV prophylaxis and targeted immunotherapies, aiming to reduce the potential emergence of adverse clinical outcomes in the future.
- Work linked to Clinical Trial
A Pilot, Randomized, Open-Label, Non-Active Comparator Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effects of Letermovir Prophylaxis on T-cell Immune Activation in Participants with Treated HIV-1 Infection (PROACTIV TRIAL)
This is an investigator-led randomised open label study, with parallel blood and gut tissue sampling in people living with HIV. It is designed to study the adjunctive use of Letermovir with antiretroviral therapy in reducing immune cell activation by preventing CMV reactivation, investigating its potential to attenuate chronic inflammation.
Lead Investigator
- Dr Dimitra Peppa (Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, MyAV范)
Collaborators
- Professor Margaret Johnson (ICDC, RFH and MyAV范)
- Dr Mike Youle (ICDC, RFH)
Funding
- MSD
Our Experts
Hon. Senior Clinical Lecturer
Viral Immunology
Associate Professor
HIV Immunology
Pears &听Rosetrees Advanced Fellow
Funding and Partnerships
听
Selected Publications
Cankat S, Demael MU, Swadling L听(2024). . Cell Mol Immunol. 2024 Feb;21(2): 103-118.
Standing JF, Buggiotti L, Guerra-Assuncao JA 鈥� Lowe DM, Breuer J; PANORAMIC Virology Group (2024). . Nat Commun 2024;15(1): 1652.
Swadling L, Maini MK (2023). Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Feb 22;24(5): 4371.
Alrubayyi A, Touizer E, Hameiri-Bowen D ... McCoy LE, Peppa D (2023). . Sci Rep. 2023;13(1): 18994.
Gomes AC, Baraniak IA, Lankina A, Moulder Z ...听Reeves MB (2023). . Nat Commun. 2023 Feb 23;14(1): 1041.
Swadling L, Diniz MO ... McCoy LE, Valdes AM ...听Maini MK (2022). . Nature. 2022 Jan;601(7891): 110-117.
Diniz MO, Mitsi E, Swadling L听...听Maini MK (2022). . Nat Immunol. 2022 Sep;23(9): 1324-1329.
Lowe DM, Brown LK, Chowdhury K, et al. (2022). . PLoS Med. 2022 Oct 19;19(10): e1004120.
Jeffery-Smith A, Burton AR, Lens S ...听McCoy LE, Maini MK (2022). . J Clin Invest. 2022 Jan 18;132(2): e152042.
Brown LK, Moran E, Goodman A ...听Lowe DM (2022). . J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2022 Feb;149(2): 557-561.e1.
Alrubayyi A, Gea-Mallorqu铆 E, Touizer E ... McCoy LE, Peppa D (2021). . Nat Commun. 2021 Oct 5;12(1): 5839.
Capone S, Brown A, Hartnell F ... Swadling L (2020). . NPJ Vaccines.听Oct 12;5:94.
Swadling L, Pallett LJ, Diniz MO ...听Maini MK (2020). . Cell Rep. 2020 Jan 21;30(3):687-698.e6.
Baraniak I, Gomes AC, Sodi I ... Reeves MB (2019). . EBioMedicine. 2019 Dec;50: 45-54.
Baraniak I, Kropff B, Ambrose L ... Reeves MB (2018). . Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018 Jun 12;115(24): 6273-6278.
Bradley T, Peppa D, Pedroza-Pacheco I, Li D, et al (2018). . Cell. 2018 Oct 4;175(2): 387-399.e17.