Intrarectal transmission, systemic infection, and CD4+ T cell depletion in humanized mice infected with HIV-1

J Exp Med. 2007 Apr 16;204(4):705-14. doi: 10.1084/jem.20062411. Epub 2007 Mar 26.

Abstract

Intrarectal infection between men who have sex with men represents a predominant form of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission in developed countries. Currently there are no adequate small animal models that recapitulate intrarectal HIV transmission. Here we demonstrate that human lymphocytes generated in situ from hematopoietic stem cells reconstitute the gastrointestinal tract of humanized mice with human CD4(+) T cells rendering them susceptible to intrarectal HIV transmission. HIV infection after a single intrarectal inoculation results in systemic infection with depletion of CD4(+) T cells in gut-associated lymphoid tissue and other pathologic sequela that closely mimics those observed in HIV infected humans. This novel model provides the basis for the development and evaluation of novel approaches aimed at immune reconstitution of human gut-associated lymphoid tissue and for the development, testing, and implementation of microbicides to prevent intrarectal HIV-1 transmission.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow / immunology
  • Bone Marrow / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / pathology
  • HIV Infections / transmission*
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • HIV-1 / pathogenicity*
  • HIV-1 / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Liver / immunology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Lymphoid Tissue / immunology
  • Lymphoid Tissue / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Phenotype
  • Receptors, CCR5 / metabolism
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism
  • Rectum / immunology
  • Rectum / injuries
  • Rectum / pathology
  • Rectum / virology*
  • Thymus Gland / immunology
  • Thymus Gland / metabolism

Substances

  • CXCR4 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, CCR5
  • Receptors, CXCR4