title: Genetic evolution of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in two spouses responding successfully to highly active antiretroviral therapy.
abstract: The current case study provided an unusual setting to track the evolution of HIV-1 envelope gene over a maximum period of 6 years in two asymptomatic spouses undergoing suppressive highly active antiretroviral therapy. For this purpose, proviral DNA samples taken from uncultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells and spanning the C2-V5 regions of env were analyzed at three sampling points per subject. Two distinct topological patterns were observed in the phylogenetic reconstructions of the genetically linked sequences of the couple: an intermingled pattern and a sequentially shifting pattern in the virus populations of the male index case and his spouse, respectively. Application of three evolutionary models for the amino acid-encoded sites, using the maximum likelihood approach, indicated the operation of positive selection in the region only at the second time point in the woman, before receiving therapy. These findings reinforce the evidence of a crucial role for host-selective constraints on HIV-1 env evolution in vivo.
authors.affiliation: National Retrovirus Reference Center, Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Athens University Medical School, Greece.
authors.forename: Cleo G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Anastassopoulou
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paraskevis
authors.forename: Vassiliki-Anastasia
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Sypsa
authors.forename: Stella-Eugenie
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Chryssou
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antoniadou
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Giamarelou
authors.forename: Angelos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hatzakis
mesh_terms: D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D015752:Genes, env; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D018454:Spouses; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral