Efficient production of human immunodeficiency virus proteins in transgenic mice

Transgenic mice containing the complete human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coding sequences fused to the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat were generated. They were found to produce high levels of authentic gag and env HIV proteins in several tissues known to support mouse mammary tumor virus-driven transcription. HIV proteins were also detected in serum and in body fluids (milk and epididymal secretions) known to be natural sites of retrovirus, and specifically of HIV, production. These results indicate that primary mouse cells from different tissues have the capacity to produce HIV proteins. These mice represent a novel animal model for HIV infection.