T lymphocytes play an important role in the immunopathogenesis of AIDS. Elucidating the molecular interactions of T lymphocytes and the AIDS virus is, therefore, of central importance for understanding the immune sequelae of an AIDS virus infection. An AIDS virus-encoded superantigen may play a role in facilitating viral replication, spread, and persistence and, thereafter, contribute to the viral pathogenicity. The simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaque monkey has proven to be an important model for the study of the pathogenesis and treatment of AIDS. A variant of SIV termed SIVsmmPBj 14 has been demonstrated to stimulate T lymphocyte proliferation in vitro and induce an acutely lethal disease in macaques characterized, in part, by lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. These unique properties of this isolate raise the possibility that this virus may indeed encode a superantigen which may play a role in the acute, lethal disease it induces. To explore this issue, we will study at a molecular level the T lymphocyte response to SIVsmmPBj in macaques. In these studies we will assess: I. The SIVsmmPBj superantigen-coding gene. II. The role of the SIVsmmPBj superantigen in viral pathogenicity.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
5R29AI036628-04
Application #
2653856
Study Section
AIDS and Related Research Study Section 1 (ARRA)
Project Start
1995-02-01
Project End
2000-01-31
Budget Start
1998-02-01
Budget End
1999-01-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
076593722
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02215