title: HIV-1 subtype C in vitro growth and coreceptor utilization.
abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 subtype C (HIV-1C) accounts for about 50% of all HIV infections in the pandemic and is the predominant subtype in the heavily burdened region of southern Africa. HIV-1C possesses unique genetic and phenotypic features that might be associated with biological differences compared to other subtypes. Here, we generated virus isolates from individuals at different stages of HIV-1C infection and investigated the chemokine receptor repertoire that the derived HIV-1C isolates may utilize for entry. Our results show that the R5 phenotype predominates among viruses in Botswana, with a lesser contribution of viruses showing the dualtropic X4R5 phenotype. No viruses of pure X4 phenotype were found, which suggests no discernable evolution of HIV-1C to a monotropic X4 phenotype as the epidemic ages in Botswana. Usage of other coreceptors was rare and apparently insignificant. These results enhance our understanding of HIV-1C biology, with implications for designing and testing therapeutic and prophylactic agents.
authors.affiliation: Botswana-Harvard School of Public Health AIDS Initiative Partnership for HIV Research and Education, Private Bag BO320, Bontleng, Gaborone, Botswana, Africa.
authors.forename: Thumbi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ndung'u
authors.forename: Enoch
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sepako
authors.forename: Mary Fran
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: McLane
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chand
authors.forename: Keabetswe
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bedi
authors.forename: Simani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gaseitsiwe
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Doualla-Bell
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Peter
authors.forename: Ibou
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Thior
authors.forename: Sikhulile M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Moyo
authors.forename: Peter B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: Vladimir A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Novitsky
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Essex
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015728:Receptors, HIV / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015728:Receptors, HIV