Qizhi Cathy Yao M.D. Ph.D.

A safe and effective vaccine is the best hope for stopping the spread of HIV worldwide. The mucosal-associated lymphoid tissues are particularly important for protection against HIV entry. Therefore, it is optimal if a HIV vaccine could trigger systemic as well as mucosal humoral and cellular immune responses against HIV.

Our lab is interested in developing non-infectious HIV virus-like particles (VLPs) as candidate HIV mucosal vaccines for both preventive and therapeutic purposes. VLPs formed by structural proteins were proven to be highly immunogenic and capable of inducing protective immunity against various viral infections in preclinical studies. We have modified vaccine immunogen into chimeric HIV VLPs which contains influenza viral surface glycoprotein HA or other immunologically functional molecules.We are able to show that the modified chimeric HA/HIV VLPs can induce enhanced humoral and cellular immune responses against HIV Env in a mouse model.

We currently concentrate on the study of basic mechanisms of VLPs induced humoral and cellular immune responses, and any other factors that affect these responses. Since dendritic cells (DCs) have long been known to be pivotal in initiating immune responses, we are trying to determine how VLPs modulate DC functions. The experiments include use of cellular and molecular immunological techniques, transgenic and knockout mice, and gene array technology. Specifically, we are investigating DC differentiation, activation, gene expression, and interaction between T cells as well as B cells in vitro and in vivo by different stimulations.

In summary, my research is focusing on establishing new strategies for HIV vaccines and understanding the molecular mechanisms.

Recent Publications (PubMed)

Yao, Q., Kuhlmann, F. M., Eller, R., Compans, R. W., and Chen, C. (2000). Production and characterization of simian-human immunodeficiency virus-like particles. AIDS Res. Hum. Retro. 16(3): 227-236.

Yao, Q., Compans, R. W., and Chen, C. (2001). HIV envelope proteins differentially utilize CXCR4 and CCR5 coreceptors for induction of apoptosis. Virology. 285(1):128-37.

Ren, Z., Yao Q., and Chen C. (2002). HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein 120 increasesIntercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression by human endothelial cells. Lab Invest, 82(3):245-55.

Yao, Q., Vuong, V., Li, M. and Compans, RW (2002). Intranasal immunization with SIV virus-like particles (VLPs) elicit systemic and mucosal immunity. Vaccine. 20(19-20):2537-45.

Yao, Q., Bu, Z., Vzorov, A., Yang, C. and Compans R. W. (2003). Virus-like Particle and DNA-based Candidate AIDS Vaccines. Vaccine. 21(7-8):638-43

Kang, S.M., Yao, Q., Guo, L., and Compans, RW. (2003). Mucosal Immunization with SIV virus-like particles (VLPs) and cholera toxin B subunit conjugated VLPs by intranasal administration.  J. Virol.  77(18):9823-30.

Guo L, Lu X, Kang SM, Chen C, Compans RW, Yao Q. (2003). Enhancement of mucosal immune responses by chimeric influenza HA/SHIV virus-like particles. Virology. 313(2):502-13.

Kang, S.M., Guo, L., Yao, Q., and Compans, RW. (2004). Intranasal immunization with inactivated influenza virus enhances immune responses to coadministered simian-human immunodeficiency virus-like particle antigens. J. Virol.  78(18):9624-32.

Yao Q, Zhang R,  Guo L, Li M, Chen C. (2004). T helper cell independent immune responses to chimeric HA/SHIV VLPs vaccine.  J Immunol 173(3):1951-8.

Zhang R, Chen C, Yao Q. (2004). SHIV VLPs bind and activate dendritic cells. Vaccine 23(2):139-147.