Animal models to achieve an HIV cure. Issue 4 (July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumar, Nitasha; Chahroudi, Ann; Silvestri, Guido
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in HIV & AIDS. Volume 11:Issue 4(2016:Jul.)
• Page Start: 432
• Page End: 441
• Publication Date: 2016-07
• Subjects: animal models -- eradication strategies -- HIV -- latency -- simian immunodeficiency virus; AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Periodicals; HIV Infections -- Periodicals; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome -- Periodicals; Infections à VIH -- Périodiques; Sida -- Périodiques; AIDS (Disease); HIV infections; Periodicals; 616.9792005
• DOI: 10.1097/COH.0000000000000290
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-630X

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose of review: The introduction of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed HIV infection from a deadly to a chronic infection. Despite its successes in reducing mortality, ART fails to cure HIV allowing HIV to persist in vivo . HIV persistence under ART is thought to be mediated by a combination of latent infection of long-lived cells, homeostatic proliferation of latently infected cells, anatomic sanctuaries, and low-level virus replication. To understand the contribution of specific cell types and anatomic sites to virus persistence in vivo animal models are necessary. Recent findings: The advancements in ART and our understanding of animal models have facilitated the development of models of HIV persistence in nonhuman primates and mice. Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) or simian/HIV infection (SHIV) of rhesus and pigtail macaques followed by effective ART represents the most faithful animal model of HIV persistence. HIV infection of humanized mice also provides a useful model for answering specific questions regarding virus persistence in a uniquely mutable system. Summary: In this review, we describe the most recent findings using animal models of HIV persistence. We will first describe the important aspects of HIV infection that SIV/SHIV infection of nonhuman primates are able to recapitulate, then we will discuss some recent studies that have used these models to understand viral persistence.