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Evolution of SIV envelope in morphine-dependent rhesus macaques with rapid disease progression

Grissell Tirado1, Anil Kumar

  • 1Laboratory of Viral Immunology, Departments of Microbiology, Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce, Puerto Rico 00732.

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses
|January 28, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Morphine dependence in rhesus macaques slowed simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) evolution. This reduced viral diversity and divergence, correlating with a faster onset of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Primatology

Background:

  • Morphine dependence is known to affect immune function.
  • The impact of morphine on simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) evolution and disease progression in macaques is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of morphine dependence on the evolution of the SIV/17E-Fr envelope in rhesus macaques.
  • To determine the correlation between virus evolution and the onset of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Main Methods:

  • Three morphine-dependent and three control rhesus macaques were inoculated with SIV/17E-Fr.
  • Viral RNA was isolated from plasma at 6, 12, and 20 weeks postinfection.
  • A fragment of the viral env gene was amplified, cloned, and sequenced.

Main Results:

  • Sequence analysis revealed fewer mutations in morphine-dependent macaques compared to controls.
  • Viral diversity and divergence were significantly higher in control animals.
  • Control animals showed more apparent phylogenetic clustering and faster loss of N-glycosylation sites.

Conclusions:

  • Morphine dependence diminished virus evolution in SHIV/SIV-infected rhesus macaques.
  • An inverse correlation exists between virus evolution and the onset of clinical disease (AIDS).

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