From Interstate 65:
- Drive northwest on I-65N toward I-40W.
- Take Exit 209 to merge onto George L. Davis Boulevard.
- Turn left onto Charlotte Avenue.
- Turn right onto Dr. D. B. Todd Jr. Boulevard.
- Campus will be on the left.
3rd HIV Mucosal Systems Meeting
Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee | April 9-11, 2024
Take Post-Event SurveyIt is with great pleasure that we announce the 3rd HIV Mucosal Systems Meeting, to be held April 9 –11, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee. The goal of this meeting is to provide a much-needed platform for international interchange on important topics relating to HIV interactions with mucosal systems. Topics include: mucosal innate and adaptive immunology, mucosal epithelial barriers, microbiome, mucous properties, mucosal transmission, interventions, technological advancements in mucosal research, and relevant epidemiology and clinical science aspects in HIV.
All program and logistical questions should be directed to conference organizers at 312-503-2337 or mucsysinfo@northwestern.edu.
Pre-Conference Event
There will be a nearby total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. A total solar eclipse is a rare and remarkable thing to experience. There will be an opportunity for interested individuals to observe this totality together at a small farm within the moon’s shadow, which is an approximately two-hour drive from Nashville in Southern Illinois. If you are interested in attending this event, please email mucsysinfo@northwestern.edu.
2024 Meeting Schedule Overview
Download Final Agenda | Download Abstract Book
Day 1: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast/Check-In - The Cal Turner Family Center Auditorium
9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. | Welcoming Remarks by Tom Hope and Introduction by James Hildreth, president and CEO of Meharry Medical College
9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Session 1: Microbiome and Mucosal Immunology
- Lyle McKinnon: Microbiome Background (30 min.)
- Rachel Liu: Microbe-binding antibodies in the female genital tract: associations with the vaginal microbiome and genital immune correlates of HIV acquisition (15 min.)
- Marcio de Carvalho: Impact of Penile-Vaginal Sex on the Microbiome and Immunology of the Penile Urethra (15 min.)
- Fabiola Castello Casta: SIV infection and ARV usage Induce Minimal Change in the Gut Microbiome of Non-Human Primates (15 min.)
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Break 1
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Session 2: Microbiome and Mucosal Immunology (cont.)
- Brianna Jesaveluk: A key Lactobacillus metabolite reduces HIV internalisation and migration through the cervicovaginal epithelial barrier (15 min.)
- Lane Buchanan: Bacteria Associated with HIV Seroconversion and Immune Cells Alter Epithelial Junctions and Increase Keratinocyte Proliferation (15 min.)
- Gilda Tachedjian: HIV (30 min.)
- Session 1 and 2 Discussion (30 min.)
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Session 3: NK Cells (immune cells) and Mucosal Biology
- Keith Reeves: Why is everyone talking about NK cells? (30 min.)
- Ronald J. Bouch: Immunoglobulin A Fc receptor (CD89) expressed by natural killer cells may restrict innate signaling and cytotoxicity within the mucosal interface (15 min.)
- Jeffrey Schneider: Inverse Correlation of NK cells and Viral Levels in Vaginal Tissue 48hrs After Intravaginal Challenge With SHIV-SF162P3 In Rhesus Macaques with Suboptimal PGT121 Delivery (15 min.)
- Shirley Constable: Organotypic foreskin-microbiome co-culture recapitulates penile microbiome composition in vitro (15 min.)
- Ryan Moriarty: CD8ɑ+ cells suppress SIV replication without selecting for viral immune escape variants within MHC-restricted CD8+ T cell epitopes in an MCM model of PTC (15 min.)
3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m | Break 2
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Session 4: NK Cells (immune cells) and Mucosal Biology (cont.)
- Yanique Thomas: Defining the dynamics of SIV infection and the viral reservoir from early ART initiation to Rebound using PET/CT analysis and a multi-scale imaging approach (15 min.)
- Rena Astronomo: TBD (15 min.)
- Session 3-4 Discussion (30 min.)
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Session 5: Basic Virology
- CV Dash: The HIV-1 capsid ended up in the nucleus. Now what? (30 min.)
- Joao Mamede: The perilous journey of HIV through the cytoplasm (30 min.)
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Poster Session and Welcome Reception
DINNER ON YOUR OWN
Day 2: Wednesday, April 10, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast/Check-In
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Session 6: Interventions: Antibodies, Circumcision, PrEP, and Vaccines
- Jeffrey Schneider: IgG Glycosylation: implications for mucosal localization, effector function and beyond (30 min.)
- Jessica Prodger: How does male medical circumcision decrease HIV acquisition? (30 min.)
- Ann Marie Carias: Unexpected anatomic cycles, distributions, and localization of antibodies in the in vivo rhesus macaque model (30 min.)
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Break 1
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Session 7: Interventions: Antibodies, Circumcision, PrEP, and Vaccines (cont.)
- Sunnie Yoh: Role of cGAS-STING pathway in shaping mucosal lymphoid environment and viral transmission (30 min.)
- Lyle McKinnon: Genital type I interferon expression and the risk of HIV infection in women (30 min.)
- Florian Hladik: Mucosal effects of tenofovir 1% gel wane over longer-term use but retain pro-proliferative and type I/III interferon pathway signatures (30 min.)
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch
1:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. | Session 8: Interventions: Antibodies, Circumcision, PrEP, and Vaccines (cont.)
- Marianne Mureithi: Advancing HIV Vaccine Discoveries through Mucosal Immunology: Integrative Approaches for Enhanced Protection (30 min.)
- Omar Almomani: Investigating the effects of physical maturation on CD4 T cell subsets and epithelial junction proteins in foreskin tissue (15 min.)
- Claudia Stroupe: Assessing changes to target cell population densities in high progesterone states as a mechanism for increased HIV acquisition risk (15 min.)
- Vanessa E. Van Doren: Rectal mucosal injury and healing among HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) (15 min.)
- Session 6-8 Discussion (30 min.)
3:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. | Break 2
3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Young Investigator Workshop
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Group Dinner
Day 3: Thursday, April 11, 2024
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast/Check-In
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Session 9: Advances in Technology
- Tom Hope: The power of PET/CT to elucidate the role of anatomy and physiology and advance HIV science (30 min.)
- S. Abigail Smith: Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of rectal mucosal immune cells from cisgender and transgender women and men (15 min.)
- Teresia Muhomah: Biodistribution of PGDM1400 following intravenous administration of mRNA encapsulated nanoparticle in AGM model (15 min.)
- Xinhong Dong: Host factors in late stages of the HIV-1 life cycle (15 min.)
- Ramon Lorenzo Redondo: Spatial transcriptomic evaluation of the sites of SIV infection and rebound in NHP models reveals transcriptional patterns of host responses (15 min.)
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Break 1
11:00 a.m. - 12:15pm | Session 10: Advances in Technology (cont.)
- Francois Villinger: Durable barrier to virus infection at the mucosa via mRNA transduction (30 min.)
- Session 9-10 Discussion (45 min.)
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. | Lunch
Ajourn: Homeward Bound
Registration is now closed.
Payment Information for Conference Registrants
The general meeting registration fee is $300.
Abstract presenters and young investigators (trainees including graduate students or postdoctoral fellows and faculty at the assistant professor level within three years of designation) are eligible to have their registration fee waived. Email your registration request to mucsysinfo@northwestern.edu.
Payment Information for Conference Sponsors
Thank you for considering this opportunity to support the 3rd HIV Mucosal Systems Meeting. Your sponsorship will contribute to our event’s success and demonstrate your commitment to our community and its initiatives.
Registration Cancellations
All cancellations must be made in writing to mucsysinfo@northwestern.edu by Friday, March 22, 2024, in order to receive a partial refund. A $50 processing and handling fee will be deducted for any cancellation made by the deadline. Cancellations after Friday, March 22, 2024, will not receive a refund.
Lodging accommodations will be at the attendee's discretion. Meeting attendees will choose from abundant nearby hotels and Airbnb opportunities.
Click on the individual hotel name (non-HMSM associated) to see rates and amenities:
Meeting Site
The meeting will be held at The Cal Turner Family Center at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. This remarkable, modern conference center and meeting venue is just minutes from downtown Nashville.
Location & Directions
Address
1011 21st Ave. N.
Nashville, TN 37208
From Interstate 24:
- Drive northwest on I-24W toward Exit 47A.
- Take Exit 47 toward Jefferson Street.
- Turn right onto Spring Street.
- Continue onto Jefferson Street Bridge.
- Turn left onto Dr. D. B. Todd Jr. Boulevard.
- Campus will be on the right.
From Interstate 40:
- Drive northwest on I-65N toward Exit 209B.
- Take Exit 209 to merge onto George L. Davis Boulevard.
- Turn left onto Charlotte Avenue.
- Turn right onto Dr. D. B. Todd Jr. Boulevard.
- Campus will be on the left.
Parking
Please park at Lot K, (the assigned Event Parking area is located at the roof top level of Lot K, Garage, located at the corner of 21st Avenue and Meharry Boulevard). At the roof top level of the Garage, is an elevator and stairwell that exists to the ground level. Upon exiting Lot K Garage, to the left, is a short walk heading to the CTC Building. At the corner of 21st Avenue and Albion Street, at the crosswalk, leads to the entry of the CTC Building.
Attendees are not allowed to park in Lots I and GG (in proximity of CTC), before 5:00 p.m.; therefore, to avoid vehicle towing at the owner’s expense, please share with the attendees parking, ALL Lots are decal reserved for students, faculty and staff, Monday through Friday, during the time period of 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Lyft, Uber or Taxi is recommended.
Key Dates
- Oral Abstract Deadline: March 1
- Oral Abstract Notifications: March 8
- Poster Abstract Deadline: March 14
- Poster Abstract Deadline: March 21
We are seeking abstracts for presentations, due 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Friday, March 1, 2024 by submitting to mucsysinfo@northwestern.edu.
The author indicated as the presenter will receive an email confirming the receipt of the abstract. Please notify your co-authors that the confirmation was received.
You will need the following information to begin your submission:
- Contact information for the presenting author and the principal investigator
- Names and affiliations for all authors
Abstract Guidelines
- Maximum length of 300 words
- One abstract is allowed per registration.
- Submissions will print exactly as submitted.
- One abstract will be allowed per registration.
- All abstracts must be submitted and presented in English with a quality of spelling and grammar suitable for publication.
- Proposals constituting sales pitches for products or services will not be considered.
Review Procedures
- All submissions are reviewed by the Conference Organizing Committee.
- Notifications on oral presentations will be made by Friday, March 8, 2024.
- Notifications will be made by email to the presenting author.
- Any oral presentations not chosen for an oral presentation will be considered for a poster presentation.
Abstract Committee
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Ann Marie Carias, PhD |
M. Shoaib Arif, PhD |
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Lane Buchanan |
S. Abigail Smith, PhD |
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Shirley Constable |
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All program and logistical questions should be directed to conference organizers.
Email: mucsysinfo@northwestern.edu
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m. (CST)
Organizing Committee
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Tom Hope, PhD |
Ann Marie Carias, PhD |
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Chandravanu "CV" Dash, PhD, MSc |
Eileen Porter |