An improved protocol for efficient engraftment in NOD/LTSZ-SCIDIL-2Rγnull mice allows HIV replication and development of anti-HIV immune responses

PLoS One. 2012;7(6):e38491. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038491. Epub 2012 Jun 4.

Abstract

Cord blood hematopoietic progenitor cells (CB-HPCs) transplanted immunodeficient NOD/LtsZ-scidIL2Rγ(null) (NSG) and NOD/SCID/IL2Rγ(null) (NOG) mice need efficient human cell engraftment for long-term HIV-1 replication studies. Total body irradiation (TBI) is a classical myeloablation regimen used to improve engraftment levels of human cells in these humanized mice. Some recent reports suggest the use of busulfan as a myeloablation regimen to transplant HPCs in neonatal and adult NSG mice. In the present study, we further ameliorated the busulfan myeloablation regimen with fresh CB-CD34+cell transplantation in 3-4 week old NSG mice. In this CB-CD34+transplanted NSG mice engraftment efficiency of human CD45+cell is over 90% in peripheral blood. Optimal engraftment promoted early and increased CD3+T cell levels, with better lymphoid tissue development and prolonged human cell chimerism over 300 days. These humanized NSG mice have shown long-lasting viremia after HIV-1JRCSF and HIV-1Bal inoculation through intravenous and rectal routes. We also saw a gradual decline of the CD4+T cell count, widespread immune activation, up-regulation of inflammation marker and microbial translocation after HIV-1 infection. Humanized NSG mice reconstituted according to our new protocol produced, moderate cellular and humoral immune responses to HIV-1 postinfection. We believe that NSG mice reconstituted according to our easy to use protocol will provide a better in vivo model for HIV-1 replication and anti-HIV-1 therapy trials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD34 / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Cell Lineage
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Disease Progression
  • HIV / immunology*
  • HIV / physiology*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / pathology
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunity / immunology*
  • Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit / deficiency*
  • Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit / immunology
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens / metabolism
  • Lymphoid Tissue / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, SCID
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
  • Receptors, CCR5 / metabolism
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Virus Replication / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Receptors, CCR5
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens