Viral genetic evolution in macaques infected with molecularly cloned simian immunodeficiency virus correlates with

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 29, 2026

Single-cell Quantitation of mRNA and Surface Protein Expression in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-infected CD4+ T Cells Isolated from Rhesus macaques
13:13

Single-cell Quantitation of mRNA and Surface Protein Expression in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-infected CD4+ T Cells Isolated from Rhesus macaques

Published on: September 25, 2018

V M Hirsch1, G Dapolito, A Hahn

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Twinbrook II Facility, Rockville, Maryland 20852, USA. vhirsch@atlas.niaid.nih.gov

Journal of Virology
|July 11, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Persistent simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) replication drives genetic evolution of the SIV envelope glycoprotein, particularly in progressor macaques. Nonprogressors showed varied viral evolution despite good containment.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Primate Models

Background:

  • Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) is a lentivirus that infects non-human primates.
  • SIV infection in macaques serves as a model for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pathogenesis.
  • Understanding SIV evolution is crucial for developing effective antiviral strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genetic evolution of the SIV envelope glycoprotein in macaques.
  • To correlate envelope evolution with viremia patterns and disease progression.
  • To identify factors influencing SIV genetic diversity.

Main Methods:

  • Infection of six macaques (Macaca nemestrina) with SIVsm62d.
  • Monitoring of plasma viremia and disease outcome.
  • Genetic sequencing and analysis of the SIV envelope V1 region.
  • Measurement of homologous neutralizing antibody titers.

Main Results:

  • Two progressor macaques developed AIDS, exhibiting higher viremia and more extensive V1 envelope evolution than four nonprogressors.
  • Nonprogressor macaques displayed significant individual variability in viremia and V1 envelope genetic evolution.
  • Persistent viral replication correlated with increased mutation and evolution in the SIV envelope V1 region.

Conclusions:

  • Persistent SIV replication is a critical driver of SIV envelope genetic evolution.
  • Individual host responses and viral dynamics significantly influence SIV evolution.
  • The V1 region of the SIV envelope is a key site of adaptive evolution during infection.

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