The objective of this project is to examine the pathogenesis of SIVagm in African green monkeys (AGMs). This species is able to cope with high levels of SIVagm replication without negative consequences. Our understanding of how AGMs are able to do this is limited. Our preliminary results depict a paradox of SIVagm infection in AGMs, characterized by: a) high plasma VLs, equivalent to pathogenic SIV infections;b) a paucity of """"""""classical"""""""" SIV target cells (defined as CD4+CCR5+CD45RAneg T cells and;c) preservation of CD4+ T cells in chronic SIVagm infection. Therefore, we hypothesize that there are quantitative differences in target cells, immune cell phenotypes, sites of tissue viral replication and in vivo viral dynamics between pathogenic and non-pathogenic SIV infections which may explain the resistance to AIDS in this natural host. To examine this hypothesis, we propose the following Specific Aims (SA): SA1: To compare the pathogenesis of SIVagm in AGMs of Carribean origin to that of a heterologous host susceptible to AIDS caused by SIVagm;pig-tailed macaques (PTMs). A different clinical outcome of SIVagm infection was reported for these two species, but studies were limited to VLs in plasma. Few immunologic data is available for SIVagm-infected AGMs and PTMs. Therefore, our proposal will focus on viral and immunological parameters in tissues of SIVagm-infected AGMs and PTMs. We will compare these two hosts infected with the same SIVagm strain for sites of viral replication, cell phenotypes, proliferation and apoptosis. Also, the major target cells for SIVagm will be determined in both hosts. SA2: To examine SIVagm viral dynamics in vivo, and to determine the relative contribution of short and long-lived cells to the total plasma viral loads in SIVagm-infected AGMs and PTMs. The paradox of SIVagm infection in its natural host suggests potential differences between pathogenic and non-pathogenic models in viral burst size, viral clearance rates or the life span of various types of target cells. We will compare the in vivo dynamics and target cells of SIVagm in AGMs and PTMs, using similar approaches that have been used for SIVmac and HIV-1. Combined, these aims are designed to determine the viral and/or host factors responsible for resistance to AIDS.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI064066-07
Application #
7759215
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-AARR-C (03))
Program Officer
Embry, Alan C
Project Start
2005-02-01
Project End
2013-01-31
Budget Start
2010-02-01
Budget End
2013-01-31
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$329,166
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Raehtz, Kevin; Pandrea, Ivona; Apetrei, Cristian (2016) The well-tempered SIV infection: Pathogenesis of SIV infection in natural hosts in the wild, with emphasis on virus transmission and early events post-infection that may contribute to protection from disease progression. Infect Genet Evol 46:308-323
Pandrea, Ivona; Landay, Alan; Wilson, Cara et al. (2015) Using the pathogenic and nonpathogenic nonhuman primate model for studying non-AIDS comorbidities. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 12:54-67
Mandell, Daniel T; Kristoff, Jan; Gaufin, Thaidra et al. (2014) Pathogenic features associated with increased virulence upon Simian immunodeficiency virus cross-species transmission from natural hosts. J Virol 88:6778-92
Ma, Dongzhu; Jasinska, Anna; Kristoff, Jan et al. (2013) SIVagm infection in wild African green monkeys from South Africa: epidemiology, natural history, and evolutionary considerations. PLoS Pathog 9:e1003011
Pandrea, Ivona; Parrish, Nicholas F; Raehtz, Kevin et al. (2012) Mucosal simian immunodeficiency virus transmission in African green monkeys: susceptibility to infection is proportional to target cell availability at mucosal sites. J Virol 86:4158-68
Pandrea, Ivona; Cornell, Elaine; Wilson, Cara et al. (2012) Coagulation biomarkers predict disease progression in SIV-infected nonhuman primates. Blood 120:1357-66
Vinton, Carol; Klatt, Nichole R; Harris, Levelle D et al. (2011) CD4-like immunological function by CD4- T cells in multiple natural hosts of simian immunodeficiency virus. J Virol 85:8702-8
Pandrea, Ivona; Gaufin, Thaidra; Gautam, Rajeev et al. (2011) Functional cure of SIVagm infection in rhesus macaques results in complete recovery of CD4+ T cells and is reverted by CD8+ cell depletion. PLoS Pathog 7:e1002170
Apetrei, Cristian; Sumpter, Beth; Souquiere, Sandrine et al. (2011) Immunovirological analyses of chronically simian immunodeficiency virus SIVmnd-1- and SIVmnd-2-infected mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx). J Virol 85:13077-87
Pandrea, Ivona; Apetrei, Cristian (2010) Where the wild things are: pathogenesis of SIV infection in African nonhuman primate hosts. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 7:28-36

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