Murine models for evaluating antiretroviral therapy.

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• The global pandemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), caused by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), necessitates urgent therapeutic and preventative strategies.
• Animal models for analyzing anti-HIV-1 drugs are limited due to the lack of an ideal model for HIV-1 infection and disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing murine models for in vivo analysis of antiretroviral agents against HIV-1.
• To report on various antiretroviral treatment strategies in murine models, including prophylaxis, chronic viremia therapy, combination therapy, and perinatal transmission prevention.

Main Methods:

• Review of murine models: transgenic mice, chimeric mice with human cells, and systems using Oncovirinae retroviruses.
• Implementation of antiretroviral treatment strategies: post-exposure chemoprophylaxis, chronic viremia treatment, combination therapy analysis, and perinatal treatment.
• Utilizing 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (zidovudine) and recombinant human interferon-alpha A/D for postexposure treatment.

Main Results:

• Murine models, including transgenic and chimeric systems, offer platforms for studying antiretroviral agents.
• Effective postexposure treatment protocols using zidovudine and interferon-alpha A/D were developed.
• Retrovirus-inoculated mice receiving treatment developed immunity, enabling further study of protective antiretroviral immunity.

Conclusions:

• Murine models are valuable for in vivo analysis of anti-HIV-1 drugs despite limitations.
• Combination therapy and perinatal treatment strategies show promise in managing HIV-1 infection.
• The developed treatment protocols facilitate the investigation of protective antiretroviral immunity in inbred mice.