Nonhuman primate models for HIV vaccine development

Animal models will be essential in developing a vaccine to protect against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. While HIV-1 infects great apes, it induces no disease in these species. Some simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) isolates cause an AIDS-like disease in macaque monkeys. The SIV/macaque model has proven a valuable system for exploring AIDS pathogenesis and assessing strategies for HIV vaccination. Studies in nonhuman primates have shown that a variety of vaccine approaches transiently elicit immunity which can protect against a very small intravenous challenge of cell-free virus. Longstanding immunity which protects against cell-associated or mucosal virus challenge has not yet been achieved. Nonhuman primate models will be essential for achieving this goal.