From Universal Vaccines to Smarter HIV Vaccines

From Universal Vaccines to Smarter HIV Vaccines

Welcome to Pathocast In Review – S2. Ep1 – The wait is over. In this episode, we explore cutting-edge advances in vaccinology and immunology, from the pursuit of a universal vaccine to innovative strategies aimed at enhancing HIV vaccine efficacy. We discuss the exciting possibility of a single mucosal vaccine capable of providing protection against a broad range of pathogens and examine the scientific challenges involved in achieving this goal. We also shift gears to the role of immune checkpoint blockade in reversing immune exhaustion in people living with HIV. Could restoring immune function enhance vaccine-induced protection? Join us as we unpack emerging approaches to reinvigorate CD8 T-cell responses and improve the effectiveness of next-generation vaccines. Papers in Review: 1. Mucosal vaccination in mice provides protection from diverse respiratory threats (DOI: 10.1126/science.aea1260 [https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aea1260]). 2. PD-1 blockade enhances functional vaccine-induced HIV-1 CD8 + T-cell responses in PWH receiving early ART (DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.106070 [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.106070]) Moderator: Valencia Chauke Panelists: Nyaradzo Chigorimbo and Bliss Musvosvi Production: Zd Creations Creator: Immun-Vir JC

When Biology Meets Inequality

Welcome to Pathocast In Review – S1. Ep7 – What if winter doesn’t just change the weather but also your microbiome? In this seventh and final episode, we explore how seasonal shifts shape gut microbial diversity, and why fermented foods consumed during colder months may reduce diversity in a beneficial and stabilising way. We then switch our focus to spotlight issues in public health, unpacking how socioeconomic conditions, such as maternal education, income level and wealth which are defined differently across regions, drive adverse birth outcomes, and how context-specific metrics can inform smarter, more equitable interventions to improve infant survival and lifelong health. Papers in Review: 1. Fermented foods affect the seasonal stability of gut bacteria in an Indian rural population (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56014-6 [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56014-6]). 2. The Global Network Socioeconomic Status Index as a predictor of stillbirths, perinatal mortality, and neonatal mortality in rural communities in low and lower middle income country sites of the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research (DOI: ⁠ [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-024-02794-0]10.1371/journal.pone.0272712 [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272712]) Moderator: Zwile Zungu (@zwilezungu [https://www.instagram.com/zwilezungu/#]) Panelists: Janine Fredericks and Yashodani Pillay (@yashodani) Production: Zd Creations Creator: Immun-Vir JC Music: iLethu (@Mphephethwa_sa)

Womb Echoes: Why Second Pregnancies Flourish and How Ageing Microbiomes Threaten Newborn Brains

Welcome to Pathocast In Review – S1. Ep6 – The sixth instalment explore how maternal biology shapes the health and development of the next generation. We unpack the maternal immune mechanisms that support a successful pregnancy, focusing on the pivotal role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in preventing miscarriage and ensuring tolerance in subsequent pregnancies. We then shift to the maternal microbiome, examining emerging evidence on how a mother’s microbial community can influence the neurological development of her newborn. Intriguingly, we discuss research showing that microbiomes from older mothers may impart subtle developmental impairments. Papers in Review: 1. Pregnancy-acquired memory CD4+ regulatory T cells improvepregnancy outcome in mice (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61572-w [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61572-w]). 2. Maternal dysbiosis produces long-lasting behaviouralchanges in offspring (DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02794-0 [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-024-02794-0]) Moderator: NelisaMakaleni (@nelly_saciar [https://www.instagram.com/nelly_saciar/]) Panelists: Blessing Moses (@emeraldeey [https://www.instagram.com/emeraldeey/]) and ValenciaChauke Production: Zd Creations Creator: Immun-Vir JC Music: iLethu (@Mphephethwa_sa)

Beyond the Years: How HIV and Obesity Rewire Ageing

Welcome to Pathocast In Review – S1. Ep5 - On this fifth instalment we explore new evidence showing how HIV infection accelerates biological ageing, not just in years lived, but deep in the molecular architecture of antibodies revealing that changes in antibody glycosylation can predict ageing long before clinical signs appear, offering a molecular window into how chronic inflammation reshapes immune function. We then turn to obesity, a condition now understood to reprogram adipose tissue in lasting ways. Even after weight loss, fat tissue retains a form of metabolic memory, driving inflammation and accelerated cellular senescence. But here’s the hopeful part, this ageing process can be partially reversed by weight loss.Papers in Review: 1. Immunoglobulin G N-glycan markers of accelerated biological aging during chronic HIV infection. (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47279-4 [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47279-4]). 2. Selective remodelling of the adipose niche in obesity and weight loss. (DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09233-2 [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09233-2]). Moderator: Adijat Jimoh (@deejah_deej [https://www.instagram.com/deejah_deej/#]) Panelists: Wealth Okete (@de_dew001 [https://www.instagram.com/de_dew001/#]) and Sonwabile Dzanibe (@⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/nelly_saciar/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/chevalsookram/]sonwa_dzanibe⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/gadisinth/]) Production: Zd Creations Creator: Immun-Vir JC Music: iLethu (@Mphephethwa_sa)

From Ageing Immunity to Infant Gut Resistome

Welcome to Pathocast In Review – S1. Ep4 - From AgeingImmunity to Infant Gut Resistome. On this fourth instalment, we unpack how ageing reshapes the immune landscape, where multi-omic profiling using single cell RNA-sequencing and mass cytometry reveals that CD8 T cells bear the brunt of age-related changes, while children show a surprising enrichment of cytotoxic B cells. Then, we turn to a longitudinal mother-infant analysis exploring factors that contribute to the development of infant gut resistome, yes the load of antibiotic-resistant genes, with Bifidobacterium being the key player in shaping the infant resistome, protecting against the accumulation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and how early cessation of breastfeeding tips the balance in the wrong direction. Papers in Review: 1. Integrating single-cell RNA and T cell/B cell receptorsequencing with mass cytometry reveals dynamic trajectories of human peripheralimmune cells from birth to old age. (DOI: 10.1038/s41590-024-02059-6 [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-024-02059-6]). 2. Breastfeeding and early Bifidobacterium-driven microbialcolonization shape the infant gut resistome. (DOI: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2025.03.003]⁠⁠⁠ [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08796-4]⁠10.1038/s41467-025-61154-w⁠ [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45336-6]). Moderator: Rachael Gachogo Panelists: Zwile Zungu (@zwilezungu [https://www.instagram.com/zwilezungu/]) and Gadisi Nthambeleni(@⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/nelly_saciar/]⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/chevalsookram/] gadisinth [https://www.instagram.com/gadisinth/]) Production: Zd Creations Creator: Immun-Vir JC Music: iLethu (@Mphephethwa_sa)