Faculty

Julie Overbaugh, PhD

• Member, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

The emphasis of research in Dr. Overbaugh's laboratory is the study of retrovirus biology, particularly the biology of HIV-1. A long-term goal of the research is to define the characteristics of virus variants that are transmitted, and to understand the interplay of subsequent viral variation in persistent infection and pathogenesis in the host. Dr. Overbaugh's group has shown in the SIV model that changes in viral envelope protein that evolve during the course of disease alter the ability of host neutralizing antibodies to recognize the virus. Such escape mutants replicate to much higher levels in the host and drive disease progression. Studies of HIV-1 infection in humans also focus on how changes in envelope may affect the properties of the virus and contribute to viral transmission, persistence, and pathogenesis. These population-based studies are performed in collaboration with Drs. John-Stewart and McClelland using samples from Kenyan cohorts. These studies include analysis of viruses transmitted vertically from a mother to her infant, as well as sexually, during heterosexual contact. Dr. Overbaugh collaborates with Drs. Farquhar, John-Stewart, McClelland and Richardson.

Selected Publications

Piantadosi A, Chohan B, Chohan V, McClelland RS, Overbaugh J. Chronic HIV-1 infection frequently fails to protect against superinfection. PLoS Pathog. 2007 Nov;3(11):e177.
[ PubMed Abstract ]

Lehman DA, Chung MH, John-Stewart GC, Richardson BA, Kiarie J, Kinuthia J, Overbaugh J. HIV-1 persists in breast milk cells despite antiretroviral treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission. AIDS. 2008 Jul 31;22(12):1475-85.
[ PubMed Abstract ]

Blish CA, Dogan OC, Derby NR, Nguyen MA, Chohan B, Richardson BA, Overbaugh J. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 superinfection occurs despite relatively robust neutralizing antibody responses. J Virol. 2008 Dec;82(24):12094-103.
[ PubMed Abstract ]

Piantadosi A, Panteleeff D, Blish CA, Baeten JM, Jaoko W, McClelland RS, Overbaugh J. Breadth of neutralizing antibody response to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 is affected by factors early in infection but does not influence disease progression. J Virol. 2009 Oct;83(19):10269-74.
[ PubMed Abstract ]

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