Update on animal models for HIV research

Abstract

Animal models for HIV research have been indispensible in fulfilling Koch's postulate and in exploring issues of viral infectivity and pathogenesis, sequence divergence, route(s) of acquisition, tissue distribution and tropism, immunogenicity and protection capacity of vaccine candidates, escape from adaptive immunity, and more. Did they fail to predict the efficacy of T‐cell vaccines in humans? This article summarizes progress and status of models to inform and complement clinical work.

Nonpathogenic Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infections

“…This event represented the birth of a new animal model for HIV infection based on the use of SIVmac and SIVsmm infection of rhesus macaques (Johnson and Hirsch 1992). Subsequent studies have determined that SIV infection of macaques, although more rapid than HIV infection in humans, is remarkably similar in terms of pathogenesis, and the model has been used extensively for vaccine development (Haigwood 2009). However, the use of the sooty mangabey -derived SIV as an experimental macaque model for AIDS is only a small aspect of the overall scientific interest in the SIV infection of natural African host species.…”

Conventional Vaccine to Prevent AIDS A Paradigm or A Paradox? A SWOT Analysis

“…This fact has consequentially impaired the research with no appropriate animal model. The lack of a perfect animal model that is indispensable for demonstrating the Koch's Postulates and for studying the vaccine efficacies has been an impediment in AIDS research [22]. Despite the productive infection in chimpanzees, the ethical concern in the use of the endangered species is constrained as they do not develop AIDS [23].…”

“…But the discovery of the Simian Immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS like syndrome in the Asian macaques resembles HIV infection and pathology has helped in AIDS research [24]. However, the large genetic divergence of SIV has limited its use as a model of the non-human primate systems [22]. Also the species specificity of the retroviruses determined by the TRIM5α [25], a restriction factor that barricades the retroviral replication after the entry of the virion core into the cytoplasm [26].…”

HIV‐1: From escapism to conservatism

“…Despite rapid responses by scientists and doctors to understand this disease in both clinical and experimental systems [2,3], human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the causative agent of AIDS ( Fig. 1), continues to feature among world's three major killers destroying millions of lives, families and communities.…”