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Persistent HIV-2 infection of rhesus macaque, baboon, and mangabeys
I Nicol1, G Flamminio-Zola, P Dubouch
1Laboratoire de physiologie cellulaire, Université Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, Paris, France.
Abstract:
Six monkeys of three different species (mangabey, macaque and baboon) were infected with human immunodeficiency type 2 (HIV-2) NIH-DZ using intraperitoneal or intravenous injections of cell-free HIV-2 or autologous HIV-2-infected cells with no prior immunostimulation. Viral expression was demonstrated by reverse transcriptase activity in cells after coculture with human peripheral blood lymphocytes or by electron microscopy. Serum was analyzed by western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (detection of antigen and antibody), and neutralization assay carried out using immunofluorescence techniques. The 6 inoculated animals seroconverted during the 1st month after inoculation and remained persistently infected after 6-11 months. We also observed proviral DNA by genomic analysis in the six tested samples. No sign of immunodeficiency disease has been observed so far. The data suggest that HIV-2 infection of nonhuman primates provides an acceptable animal model to investigate vaccination or specific immunotherapeutic procedures.
Insights
This study shows that infecting monkeys with human immunodeficiency type 2 (HIV-2) creates a viable animal model. This model can be used to test new HIV-2 vaccines and immunotherapies.
Area of Science:
- Primate Virology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency type 2 (HIV-2) infection is a significant global health concern.
- Developing effective vaccines and immunotherapies requires suitable animal models for research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential of nonhuman primates as an animal model for studying HIV-2 infection.
- To assess the infectivity and persistence of HIV-2 in different primate species.
Main Methods:
- Six monkeys from three species (mangabey, macaque, baboon) were inoculated with HIV-2.
- Viral expression was confirmed via reverse transcriptase activity and electron microscopy.
- Serological analysis included Western blot, ELISA, and neutralization assays; proviral DNA was detected by genomic analysis.
Main Results:
- All six inoculated primates seroconverted within one month and remained persistently infected for 6-11 months.
- Proviral DNA was consistently detected in all tested samples.
- No clinical signs of immunodeficiency disease were observed in the infected animals during the study period.
Conclusions:
- Nonhuman primates infected with HIV-2 serve as an acceptable animal model for investigating vaccination strategies.
- This model is suitable for evaluating specific immunotherapeutic procedures against HIV-2.