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Experimental infection of macaques with HIV-2ben, a novel HIV-2 isolate
C Stahl-Hennig1, O Herchenröder, S Nick
1Deutsches Primatenzentrum, Abteilung Virologie und Immunologie, Goettingen, FRG.
Abstract:
Ten rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and six fascicularis (Macaca fascicularis) macaques were inoculated with HIV-2ben using three different virus preparations and two routes of inoculation. Thirteen of the 16 inoculated macaques seroconverted 2-6 weeks after infection. Three M. mulatta remained seronegative. The seroconverted animals developed antibody titres from 80 to 40,000. Their antibodies reacted with gp160 and gp130 and, in varying degrees, with gp32 and core proteins. Virus could be re-isolated from 11 of the 16 macaques. M. mulatta were transiently viraemic 6-14 weeks after infection whereas all M. fascicularis were persistently viraemic 2-7 weeks after infection onwards. In the 6-18 months after infection one M. mulatta lost 20% of its body weight and two M. fascicularis showed transient lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly; the other animals remained clinically normal. A re-isolated virus from a M. mulatta was indistinguishable from the inoculated HIV-2ben by genomic restriction enzyme analysis. M. mulatta and M. fascicularis are infectable by a single intravenous injection of cell-free HIV-2ben. Persistent viraemia in M. fascicularis represents a valuable and reliable parameter for studies on antivirals and vaccines.
Insights
Rhesus and fascicularis macaques were infected with HIV-2ben, showing varied immune responses and viral shedding. Persistent viremia in Macaca fascicularis provides a reliable model for antiviral and vaccine research.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Primate Models
Background:
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 2 (HIV-2) infection models are crucial for understanding disease pathogenesis.
- Non-human primates offer valuable insights into viral infections due to physiological similarities with humans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the infectivity and immune response of rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and fascicularis (Macaca fascicularis) macaques to HIV-2ben.
- To determine the suitability of these macaque models for preclinical studies of antivirals and vaccines.
Main Methods:
- Sixteen macaques (10 rhesus, 6 fascicularis) were inoculated with cell-free HIV-2ben via intravenous injection.
- Seroconversion, antibody titres, viral re-isolation, and clinical signs were monitored.
- Genomic restriction enzyme analysis was used to compare inoculated and re-isolated viruses.
Main Results:
- Thirteen of 16 macaques seroconverted within 2-6 weeks, developing antibodies against HIV-2 proteins.
- Viral re-isolation was successful in 11 macaques; Macaca mulatta showed transient viremia, while Macaca fascicularis exhibited persistent viremia.
- Minimal clinical signs were observed, with one Macaca mulatta losing weight and two Macaca fascicularis showing transient lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly.
Conclusions:
- Both Macaca mulatta and Macaca fascicularis can be infected with HIV-2ben.
- Persistent viremia in Macaca fascicularis serves as a valuable and reliable parameter for future antiviral and vaccine studies.