Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a lentivirus analogous to HIV in that it targets T lymphocytes via mucosal and vertical pathways, causes fatal immunodeficiency, and has emerged relatively recently in its host species, the domestic cat (Felis domestica). In contrast, the FIV-like lentiviruses of non-domestic felids, including the puma (cougar mountain lion, Felis concolor), have apparently been present in their host populations for long periods of time, leading to lentiviral/host adaptation--analogous to simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in African non-human primate hosts. In preliminary studies we have found that domestic cats infected with puma lentivirus (PLV) do not experience clinical disease, develop a strong anti-lentiviral immune response, and are partially protected against subsequent challenge with virulent FIV in the absence of clinical disease. Other preliminary data in a cohort of cougars naturally infected with PLV suggests that purifying selection, i.e., selection dependent upon viral fitness rather than host immune response may be an additional or secondary vital force shaping evolution of the PLV population. We will therefore assess both the immune response and the viral evolutionary selection during infections by the newly emergent FIV vs. the more ancient PLV in their adapted and non-adapted feline hosts. These studies will provide insight into the mechanisms whereby the host downregulates and/or the virus selects virulent versus attenuated species--questions pertinent to the pathogenesis, adaptation, and control of HIV infection and AIDS. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI052055-04
Application #
6891410
Study Section
AIDS and Related Research 8 (AARR)
Program Officer
Wassef, Nabila M
Project Start
2002-06-15
Project End
2007-12-31
Budget Start
2005-06-01
Budget End
2007-12-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$358,898
Indirect Cost
Name
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Veterinary Medicine
DUNS #
785979618
City
Fort Collins
State
CO
Country
United States
Zip Code
80523
VandeWoude, Sue; Troyer, Jennifer; Poss, Mary (2010) Restrictions to cross-species transmission of lentiviral infection gleaned from studies of FIV. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 134:25-32
Hayward, Jessica J; Rodrigo, Allen G (2010) Molecular epidemiology of feline immunodeficiency virus in the domestic cat (Felis catus). Vet Immunol Immunopathol 134:68-74
Troyer, Jennifer L; Vandewoude, Sue; Pecon-Slattery, Jill et al. (2008) FIV cross-species transmission: an evolutionary prospective. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 123:159-66
Terwee, Julie A; Carlson, Jennifer K; Sprague, Wendy S et al. (2008) Prevention of immunodeficiency virus induced CD4+ T-cell depletion by prior infection with a non-pathogenic virus. Virology 377:63-70
Poss, Mary; Ross, Howard; Rodrigo, Allen et al. (2008) The molecular biology and evolution of feline immunodeficiency viruses of cougars. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 123:154-8
Poss, Mary; Idoine, Adam; Ross, Howard A et al. (2007) Recombination in feline lentiviral genomes during experimental cross-species infection. Virology 359:146-51
Bruen, Trevor C; Poss, Mary (2007) Recombination in feline immunodeficiency virus genomes from naturally infected cougars. Virology 364:362-70
Poss, Mary; Ross, Howard A; Painter, Sally L et al. (2006) Feline lentivirus evolution in cross-species infection reveals extensive G-to-A mutation and selection on key residues in the viral polymerase. J Virol 80:2728-37
VandeWoude, Sue; Apetrei, Cristian (2006) Going wild: lessons from naturally occurring T-lymphotropic lentiviruses. Clin Microbiol Rev 19:728-62
Terwee, Julie A; Yactor, Jennifer K; Sondgeroth, Kerry S et al. (2005) Puma lentivirus is controlled in domestic cats after mucosal exposure in the absence of conventional indicators of immunity. J Virol 79:2797-806

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