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Adaptation of HIV-1 to pigtailed macaques

S Gartner1, Y Liu, V Polonis

  • 1Henry M. Jackson Foundation Research Laboratory, Rockville, MD 20850.

Insights

Pigtailed macaque T lymphocytes show limited susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in vitro. However, inoculation with HIV-1 expressing cells established persistent infection in pigtailed macaques.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Primate models

Background:

  • Understanding non-human primate models is crucial for studying human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) pathogenesis.
  • Assessing cross-species viral susceptibility informs the development of relevant research models.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the susceptibility of T lymphocytes from different monkey species to HIV-1 infection in vitro.
  • To determine the potential of pigtailed macaques as a model for HIV-1 infection.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro infectivity experiments using T lymphocytes from pigtailed macaques, rhesus monkeys, and cynomolgus monkeys.
  • Inoculation of pigtailed macaques with autologous HIV-1 expressing cells.
  • Monitoring for viral recovery and development of virus-specific antibody responses.

Main Results:

  • T lymphocytes from pigtailed macaques were susceptible to HIV-1 infection, but with limited virus expression.
  • Most HIV-1 isolates could not productively infect pigtailed macaque cells.
  • Persistent infection was established in pigtailed macaques following inoculation with autologous HIV-1 expressing cells, confirmed by viral recovery and antibody development.

Conclusions:

  • Pigtailed macaques exhibit partial susceptibility to HIV-1 in vitro, suggesting species-specific cellular barriers.
  • The successful establishment of persistent infection in pigtailed macaques highlights their potential as a model for studying HIV-1.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms of limited viral expression and optimize this model for HIV-1 research.

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