Aakash Mahant Mahant, Ph.D.

My research focuses on translational immunology and the development of immune-based strategies to prevent and treat viral infections. I am particularly interested in understanding how antibody responses protect against persistent viral pathogens and how these insights can be translated into novel vaccines and monoclonal antibody therapies.

My current work centers on herpes simplex virus (HSV), where I investigate the role of Fc-mediated antibody functions, including antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), in antiviral immunity. By integrating studies of human immune responses, monoclonal antibody discovery, antibody engineering, and preclinical models of infection, I seek to identify immune correlates of protection that can inform the development of more effective vaccines and Immunotherapeutics.

A major area of interest is the discovery and characterization of protective human monoclonal antibodies targeting HSV glycoproteins and the evaluation of their potential to prevent primary infection, recurrent disease, and neonatal transmission. I am also interested in understanding how antibody specificity, Fc receptor engagement, antibody glycosylation, and maternal-fetal antibody transfer influence immune protection and clinical outcomes.

More broadly, my research aims to bridge fundamental immunology with translational medicine to advance antibody-based and vaccine strategies for viral diseases affecting women, neonates, and other vulnerable populations. As I continue to develop my independent research program, I plan to expand these studies to additional persistent viral pathogens, including cytomegalovirus (CMV) and HIV, with the goal of improving prevention and treatment through rational immune intervention.

1. Murphy K, Gromisch M, Mahant Mahant A Connolly J, et al. Impact of Vaginal Estradiol on the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, Vaginal Microbiome and Mucosal Immune Mediators in Women With HIV. Clin Infect Dis. 2026;82(4):e710-e719. doi:10.1093/cid/ciaf669
2. Kastner L, Kandalaft W, Mahant AM, et al. Cytokine Profiling of Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults Newly Diagnosed with Sarcomas Demonstrates the Role of IL-1β in Osteosarcoma Metastasis. Cancers (Basel). 2025;17(18):3009. Published 2025 Sep 15.
3. Terrigno K, Flamholz ZN, Mahant Mahant A, et al. Higher aged neutrophils and differential inflammatory profiles in sickle cell disease patients on chronic transfusion therapy versus those on hydroxyurea. Front Immunol. 2025;16:1671061. Published 2025 Sep 26.
4. Itzayana G. Miller, Mahant AM, et al. "Distinct maternal cytomegalovirus-specific neutralizing and Fc receptor-binding responses the setting of Congenital cytomegalovirus transmission in HIV-exposed neonates. Viruses. 2025 Feb 19
5. Mahant AM, et al. " Novel Mouse Model of Recurrent Sublethal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection Recapitulates Human Antibody Responses to Primary and Chronic Infection." Vaccines (Basel). 2024 Oct;01(10):1127
6. Ferretti CJ, Mahant AM, et al. "Cognitive Inflexibility and Immune Biomarkers in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)." Neuroscience Applied. 2024 May;22(3);104071
7. Mahant AM, et al. "Durability and Protection against Herpes Simplex Viral Disease following Immunization of Mice with Single-Cycle ΔgD-2." Vaccines (Basel). 2023 Aug;11(8):1362.
8. Mahant AM, et al. "Antibody Attributes, Fc Receptor Expression, Gestation, and Maternal SARS-CoV-2 Infection Modulate HSV IgG Placental Transfer." iScience. 2023 Aug;26(9):107648.
9. Mahant AM, et al. "Failure of Herpes Simplex Virus Glycoprotein D Antibodies to Elicit Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity: Implications for Future Vaccines." J Infect Dis. 2022 Nov;226(9):1489-1498.
10. Estrada F, Mahant AM, et al. "Prolonged Preterm Rupture of Membranes Associated with Neonatal Disseminated Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1." J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2023 Mar 31: piac131.
11. Kuraoka M, Mahant AM, et al. "Non-Neutralizing Glycoprotein B Monoclonal Antibody Protects against Herpes Simplex Virus Disease in Mice." J Clin Invest. 2022 Dec 1:e161968.
12. Visciano ML, Mahant AM, et al. "Antibodies Elicited in Response to a Single Cycle Glycoprotein D Deletion Viral Vaccine Candidate." Viruses. 2021 Jun 30;13(7):1284.
13. Kao CM, Mahant A, et al. "Maternal Immunization Protects Neonates from Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Type 2." J Infect Dis. 2020 Feb 18;221(5):729-738. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiz521.
14. Mahant A, et al. "Preclinical Development of BCG.HIVA2auxo.int for an HIV-TB Pediatric Vaccine." Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2017 Aug;13(8):1798-1810.