title: Vif substitution enables persistent infection of pig-tailed macaques by human immunodeficiency virus type 1.
abstract: Among Old World monkeys, pig-tailed macaques (Pt) are uniquely susceptible to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), although the infection does not persist. We demonstrate that the susceptibility of Pt T cells to HIV-1 infection is due to the absence of postentry inhibition by a TRIM5 isoform. Notably, substitution of the viral infectivity factor protein, Vif, with that from pathogenic SIVmne enabled replication of HIV-1 in Pt T cells in vitro. When inoculated into juvenile pig-tailed macaques, the Pt-tropic HIV-1 persistently replicated for more than 1.5 to 2 years, producing low but measurable plasma viral loads and persistent proviral DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. It also elicited strong antibody responses. However, there was no decline in CD4(+) T cells or evidence of disease. Surprisingly, the Pt-tropic HIV-1 was rapidly controlled when inoculated into newborn Pt macaques, although it transiently rebounded after 6 months. We identified two notable differences between the Pt-tropic HIV-1 and SIVmne. First, SIV Vif does not associate with Pt-tropic HIV-1 viral particles. Second, while Pt-tropic HIV-1 degrades both Pt APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F, it prevents their inclusion in virions to a lesser extent than pathogenic SIVmne. Thus, while SIV Vif is necessary for persistent infection by Pt-tropic HIV-1, improved expression and inhibition of APOBEC3 proteins may be required for robust viral replication in vivo. Additional adaptation of the virus may also be necessary to enhance viral replication. Nevertheless, our data suggest the potential for the pig-tailed macaque to be developed as an animal model of HIV-1 infection and disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, BCM385, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thippeshappa
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Polacino
authors.forename: Monica T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Yu Kimata
authors.forename: Edward B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Siwak
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Weiming
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sherwood
authors.forename: Reetakshi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Shiu-Lok
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Jason T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Kimata
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016346:Gene Products, vif / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology; D008251:Macaca; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology; D019562:Viral Load; D056189:Viral Tropism; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D016346:Gene Products, vif; D037521:Virulence Factors