title: Origins of HIV and the evolution of resistance to AIDS.
abstract: The cross-species transmission of lentiviruses from African primates to humans has selected viral adaptations which have subsequently facilitated human-to-human transmission. HIV adapts not only by positive selection through mutation but also by recombination of segments of its genome in individuals who become multiply infected. Naturally infected nonhuman primates are relatively resistant to AIDS-like disease despite high plasma viral loads and sustained viral evolution. Further understanding of host resistance factors and the mechanisms of disease in natural primate hosts may provide insight into unexplored therapeutic avenues for the prevention of AIDS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk 2280 GH, Netherlands. heeney@bprc.nl
authors.forename: Jonathan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Heeney
authors.forename: Angus G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Dalgleish
authors.forename: Robin A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D000349:Africa; D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000235:genetics; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D009154:Mutation; D002679:Pan troglodytes / Q000821:virology; D011323:Primates / Q000821:virology; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens