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Asia LK, Van Vuren EJ, Lindeque Z, Williams ME. A pilot investigation of the association between HIV-1 Vpr amino acid sequence diversity and the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway as a potential mechanism for neurocognitive impairment. Virol J 2024; 21:47. [PMID: 38395987 PMCID: PMC10893664 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02313-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
HIV infection compromises both the peripheral and central immune systems due to its pathogenic and neuropathogenic features. The mechanisms driving HIV-1 pathogenesis and neuropathogenesis involve a series of events, including metabolic dysregulation. Furthermore, HIV-subtype-specific variations, particularly alterations in the amino acid sequences of key viral proteins, are known to influence the severity of clinical outcomes in people living with HIV. However, the impact of amino acid sequence variations in specific viral proteins, such as Viral protein R (Vpr), on metabolites within the Tryptophan (Trp)-kynurenine (Kyn) pathway in people living with HIV remains unclear. Our research aimed to explore the relationship between variations in the Vpr amino acid sequence (specifically at positions 22, 41, 45, and 55, as these have been previously linked to neurocognitive function) and peripheral Trp-Kyn metabolites. Additionally, we sought to clarify the systems biology of Vpr sequence variation by examining the link between Trp-Kyn metabolism and peripheral inflammation, as a neuropathogenic mechanism. In this preliminary study, we analyzed a unique cohort of thirty-two (n = 32) South African cART naïve people living with HIV. We employed Sanger sequencing to ascertain blood-derived Vpr amino acid sequence variations and a targeted LC-MS/MS metabolomics platform to assess Trp-Kyn metabolites, such as Trp, Kyn, kynurenic acid (KA), and quinolinic acid (QUIN). Particle-enhanced turbidimetric assay and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure immune markers, hsCRP, IL-6, suPAR, NGAL and sCD163. After applying Bonferroni corrections (p =.05/3) and adjusting for covariates (age and sex), only the Vpr G41 and A55 groups was nearing significance for higher levels of QUIN compared to the Vpr S41 and T55 groups, respectively (all p =.023). Multiple regression results revealed that Vpr amino acid variations at position 41 (adj R2 = 0.049, β = 0.505; p =.023), and 55 (adj R2 = 0.126, β = 0.444; p =.023) displayed significant associations with QUIN after adjusting for age and sex. Lastly, the higher QUIN levels observed in the Vpr G41 group were found to be correlated with suPAR (r =.588, p =.005). These results collectively underscore the importance of specific Vpr amino acid substitutions in influencing QUIN and inflammation (specifically suPAR levels), potentially contributing to our understanding of their roles in the pathogenesis and neuropathogenesis of HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Esmé Jansen Van Vuren
- Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council, Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Zander Lindeque
- Human Metabolomics, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Alessandri-Gradt E, Moisan A, Plantier JC. HIV-1 Non-Group M Strains and ART. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030780. [PMID: 36992488 PMCID: PMC10058373 DOI: 10.3390/v15030780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
To eliminate HIV infection, there are several elements to take into account to limit transmission and break viral replication, such as epidemiological, preventive or therapeutic management. The UNAIDS goals of screening, treatment and efficacy should allow for this elimination if properly followed. For some infections, the difficulty is linked to the strong genetic divergence of the viruses, which can impact the virological and therapeutic management of patients. To completely eliminate HIV by 2030, we must therefore also be able to act on these atypical variants (HIV-1 non-group M) which are distinct from the group M pandemic viruses. While this diversity has had an impact on the efficacy of antiretroviral treatment in the past, recent data show that there is real hope of eliminating these forms, while maintaining vigilance and constant surveillance, so as not to allow more divergent and resistant forms to emerge. The aim of this work is therefore to share an update on the current knowledge on epidemiology, diagnosis and antiretroviral agent efficacy of HIV-1 non-M variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Alessandri-Gradt
- Univ Rouen Normandie, UNICAEN, INSERM, DYNAMICURE UMR 1311, and CHU Rouen, Department of Virology, National Reference Center of HIV, F-76000 Rouen, France
| | - Alice Moisan
- Univ Rouen Normandie, UNICAEN, INSERM, DYNAMICURE UMR 1311, and CHU Rouen, Department of Virology, National Reference Center of HIV, F-76000 Rouen, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Plantier
- Univ Rouen Normandie, UNICAEN, INSERM, DYNAMICURE UMR 1311, and CHU Rouen, Department of Virology, National Reference Center of HIV, F-76000 Rouen, France
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Jasinska AJ, Apetrei C, Pandrea I. Walk on the wild side: SIV infection in African non-human primate hosts-from the field to the laboratory. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1060985. [PMID: 36713371 PMCID: PMC9878298 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1060985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV emerged following cross-species transmissions of simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) that naturally infect non-human primates (NHPs) from Africa. While HIV replication and CD4+ T-cell depletion lead to increased gut permeability, microbial translocation, chronic immune activation, and systemic inflammation, the natural hosts of SIVs generally avoid these deleterious consequences when infected with their species-specific SIVs and do not progress to AIDS despite persistent lifelong high viremia due to long-term coevolution with their SIV pathogens. The benign course of natural SIV infection in the natural hosts is in stark contrast to the experimental SIV infection of Asian macaques, which progresses to simian AIDS. The mechanisms of non-pathogenic SIV infections are studied mainly in African green monkeys, sooty mangabeys, and mandrills, while progressing SIV infection is experimentally modeled in macaques: rhesus macaques, pigtailed macaques, and cynomolgus macaques. Here, we focus on the distinctive features of SIV infection in natural hosts, particularly (1): the superior healing properties of the intestinal mucosa, which enable them to maintain the integrity of the gut barrier and prevent microbial translocation, thus avoiding excessive/pathologic immune activation and inflammation usually perpetrated by the leaking of the microbial products into the circulation; (2) the gut microbiome, the disruption of which is an important factor in some inflammatory diseases, yet not completely understood in the course of lentiviral infection; (3) cell population shifts resulting in target cell restriction (downregulation of CD4 or CCR5 surface molecules that bind to SIV), control of viral replication in the lymph nodes (expansion of natural killer cells), and anti-inflammatory effects in the gut (NKG2a/c+ CD8+ T cells); and (4) the genes and biological pathways that can shape genetic adaptations to viral pathogens and are associated with the non-pathogenic outcome of the natural SIV infection. Deciphering the protective mechanisms against SIV disease progression to immunodeficiency, which have been established through long-term coevolution between the natural hosts and their species-specific SIVs, may prompt the development of novel therapeutic interventions, such as drugs that can control gut inflammation, enhance gut healing capacities, or modulate the gut microbiome. These developments can go beyond HIV infection and open up large avenues for correcting gut damage, which is common in many diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna J. Jasinska
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine (DOM), School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Cristian Apetrei
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine (DOM), School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States,Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Ivona Pandrea
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States,Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States,*Correspondence: Ivona Pandrea,
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Asia LK, Jansen Van Vuren E, Williams ME. The influence of viral protein R amino acid substitutions on clinical outcomes in people living with HIV: A systematic review. Eur J Clin Invest 2022; 53:e13943. [PMID: 36579370 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The HIV viral protein R (Vpr) is a multifunction protein involved in the pathophysiology of HIV-1. Recent evidence has suggested that Vpr amino acid substitutions influence the pathophysiology of HIV-1 and clinical outcomes in people living with HIV (PLWH). Several studies have linked Vpr amino acid substitutions to clinical outcomes in PLWH; however, there is no clear consensus as to which amino acids or amino acid substitutions are most important in the pathophysiology and clinical outcomes in PLWH. We, therefore, conducted a systematic review of studies investigating Vpr amino acid substitutions and clinical outcomes in PLWH. METHODS PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched according to PRISMA guidelines using a search protocol designed specifically for this study. RESULTS A total of 22 studies were included for data extraction, comprising 14 cross-sectional and 8 longitudinal studies. Results indicated that Vpr amino acid substitutions were associated with specific clinical outcomes, including disease progressions, neurological outcomes and treatment status. Studies consistently showed that the Vpr substitution 63T was associated with slower disease progression, whereas 77H and 85P were associated with no significant contribution to disease progression. CONCLUSIONS Vpr-specific amino acid substitutions may be contributors to clinical outcomes in PLWH, and future studies should consider investigating the Vpr amino acid substitutions highlighted in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levanco K Asia
- Human Metabolomics, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Esmé Jansen Van Vuren
- Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.,South African Medical Research Council: Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Monray E Williams
- Human Metabolomics, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Da Silva RKM, Morais J, Foley BT, Bello G, Morgado MG, Guimarães ML. Identification of a new circulating recombinant form of human immunodeficiency virus type 1, CRF124_cpx involving subtypes A, G, H, and CRF27_cpx in Angola. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:992640. [PMID: 36325024 PMCID: PMC9619209 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.992640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Angola, located in Central Africa, has around 320,000 (270,000–380,000) people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS, equivalent to 1% of the country’s population at the end of 2021. A previous study conducted in 2012, using Angolan samples collected between 2008 and 2010 revealed a high prevalence of HIV-1 recombinants, around 42% of sequences, with 21% showing the same UH profile in partial pol region which were grouped into a monophyletic cluster with high bootstrap support. Thus, the objective of the present work was to obtain complete genomes of those sequences and characterize them, aiming at a description of a new circulating recombinant form (CRF). Whole blood from nine HIV-1 UH pol-infected individuals had their genomic DNA extracted, and nested PCR was used to amplify seven overlapping fragments targeting the full-length HIV-1 genome. The final classification was based on maximum likelihood trees, and recombination analyses were performed using a bootscan from the Simplot program. BLAST and Los Alamos Database inspections were used to search other similar H-like pol sequences. Complete genome amplification was possible for three samples, partial genomes were obtained for the other three, and only pol was available for the remaining three sequences. Bootscan analysis of the two whole-genome and three partial genome sequences retrieved from people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIVA) without epidemiological linkage showed the same complex recombination profile involving HIV-1 subtypes A/G/H/CRF27_cpx, with a total of six recombinant breakpoints, aiming to classify a new HIV-1 CRF124_cpx. We found no other full-length HIV-1 genomes with the same mosaic profile; however, we identified 33 partial pol sequences, mainly sampled from Angola between 2001 to 2019, with the same H-like profile. Bayesian analysis of H and H-like pol sequences indicates that CRF124_cpx probably originated in Angola at mid-1970s, indicating that this CRF has been circulating in the country for a long time. In summary, our study describes a new CRF circulating principally in Angola and highlights the importance of continuing molecular surveillance studies, especially in countries with high molecular diversity of HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joana Morais
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Investigação em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde de Angola, Luanda, Angola
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Agostinho Neto, Luanda, Angola
| | - Brian Thomas Foley
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Gonzalo Bello
- Laboratório de AIDS e Imunologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariza Gonçalves Morgado
- Laboratório de AIDS e Imunologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Monick Lindenmeyer Guimarães
- Laboratório de AIDS e Imunologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Monick Lindenmeyer Guimarães,
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Mendes Da Silva RK, Monteiro de Pina Araujo II, Venegas Maciera K, Gonçalves Morgado M, Lindenmeyer Guimarães M. Genetic Characterization of a New HIV-1 Sub-Subtype A in Cabo Verde, Denominated A8. Viruses 2021; 13:v13061093. [PMID: 34201179 PMCID: PMC8230070 DOI: 10.3390/v13061093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous molecular characterization of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) samples from Cabo Verde pointed out a vast HIV-1 pol diversity, with several subtypes and recombinant forms, being 5.2% classified as AU-pol. Thus, the aim of the present study was to improve the characterization of these AU sequences. The genomic DNA of seven HIV-1 AU pol-infected individuals were submitted to four overlapping nested-PCR fragments aiming to compose the full-length HIV-1 genome. The final classification was based on phylogenetic trees that were generated using the maximum likelihood and bootscan analysis. The genetic distances were calculated using Mega 7.0 software. Complete genome amplification was possible for two samples, and partial genomes were obtained for the other five. These two samples grouped together with a high support value, in a separate branch from the other sub-subtypes A and CRF26_A5U. No recombination was verified at bootscan, leading to the classification of a new sub-subtype A. The intragroup genetic distance from the new sub-subtype A at a complete genome was 5.2%, and the intergroup genetic varied from 8.1% to 19.0% in the analyzed fragments. Our study describes a new HIV-1 sub-subtype A and highlights the importance of continued molecular surveillance studies, mainly in countries with high HIV molecular diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayana Katylin Mendes Da Silva
- Laboratório de AIDS e Imunologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil; (R.K.M.D.S.); (K.V.M.); (M.G.M.)
| | | | - Karine Venegas Maciera
- Laboratório de AIDS e Imunologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil; (R.K.M.D.S.); (K.V.M.); (M.G.M.)
| | - Mariza Gonçalves Morgado
- Laboratório de AIDS e Imunologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil; (R.K.M.D.S.); (K.V.M.); (M.G.M.)
| | - Monick Lindenmeyer Guimarães
- Laboratório de AIDS e Imunologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil; (R.K.M.D.S.); (K.V.M.); (M.G.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-21-3865-8154
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7
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Chung CH, Allen AG, Atkins A, Link RW, Nonnemacher MR, Dampier W, Wigdahl B. Computational Design of gRNAs Targeting Genetic Variants Across HIV-1 Subtypes for CRISPR-Mediated Antiviral Therapy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:593077. [PMID: 33768011 PMCID: PMC7985454 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.593077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based HIV-1 genome editing has shown promising outcomes in in vitro and in vivo viral infection models. However, existing HIV-1 sequence variants have been shown to reduce CRISPR-mediated efficiency and induce viral escape. Two metrics, global patient coverage and global subtype coverage, were used to identify guide RNA (gRNA) sequences that account for this viral diversity from the perspectives of cross-patient and cross-subtype gRNA design, respectively. Computational evaluation using these parameters and over 3.6 million possible 20-bp sequences resulted in nine lead gRNAs, two of which were previously published. This analysis revealed the benefit and necessity of considering all sequence variants for gRNA design. Of the other seven identified novel gRNAs, two were of note as they targeted interesting functional regions. One was a gRNA predicted to induce structural disruption in the nucleocapsid binding site (Ψ), which holds the potential to stop HIV-1 replication during the viral genome packaging process. The other was a reverse transcriptase (RT)-targeting gRNA that was predicted to cleave the subdomain responsible for dNTP incorporation. CRISPR-mediated sequence edits were predicted to occur on critical residues where HIV-1 has been shown to develop resistance against antiretroviral therapy (ART), which may provide additional evolutionary pressure at the DNA level. Given these observations, consideration of broad-spectrum gRNAs and cross-subtype diversity for gRNA design is not only required for the development of generalizable CRISPR-based HIV-1 therapy, but also helps identify optimal target sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Han Chung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alexander G. Allen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Andrew Atkins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Robert W. Link
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michael R. Nonnemacher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Will Dampier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Brian Wigdahl
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Molecular Virology and Translational Neuroscience, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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8
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van der Kuyl AC. Contemporary Distribution, Estimated Age, and Prehistoric Migrations of Old World Monkey Retroviruses. EPIDEMIOLGIA (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 2:46-67. [PMID: 36417189 PMCID: PMC9620922 DOI: 10.3390/epidemiologia2010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Old World monkeys (OWM), simians inhabiting Africa and Asia, are currently affected by at least four infectious retroviruses, namely, simian foamy virus (SFV), simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), simian T-lymphotropic virus (STLV), and simian type D retrovirus (SRV). OWM also show chromosomal evidence of having been infected in the past with four more retroviral species, baboon endogenous virus (BaEV), Papio cynocephalus endogenous virus (PcEV), simian endogenous retrovirus (SERV), and Rhesus endogenous retrovirus-K (RhERV-K/SERV-K1). For some of the viruses, transmission to other primates still occurs, resulting, for instance, in the HIV pandemic. Retroviruses are intimately connected with their host as they are normally spread by close contact. In this review, an attempt to reconstruct the distribution and history of OWM retroviruses will be made. A literature overview of the species infected by any of the eight retroviruses as well as an age estimation of the pathogens will be given. In addition, primate genomes from databases have been re-analyzed for the presence of endogenous retrovirus integrations. Results suggest that some of the oldest retroviruses, SERV and PcEV, have travelled with their hosts to Asia during the Miocene, when a higher global temperature allowed simian expansions. In contrast, younger viruses, such as SIV and SRV, probably due to the lack of a primate continuum between the continents in later times, have been restricted to Africa and Asia, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoinette C van der Kuyl
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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9
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Tagnouokam Ngoupo PA, Sadeuh-Mba SA, De Oliveira F, Ngo-Malabo ET, Ngono L, Plantier JC, Kfutwah A, Njouom R. Short Communication: Characterization of a New HIV-1 Group N Isolate Originating from a Cameroonian Patient. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2018; 34:621-625. [PMID: 29575910 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2018.0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 group N (HIV-1/N) remains rare and mainly restricted to Cameroon. In this study, we report a new HIV-1/N infected case identified during routine HIV screening activities in Yaounde. The genetic characterization of the near full-length genome of this virus strain revealed that it is genetically distinct to all HIV-1/N described to date. However, the Vpu protein responsible for tetherin antagonism displayed the same amino acid substitutions (E15A, V19A, I25L, and V26L) as other HIV-1/N from Cameroon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Alain Tagnouokam Ngoupo
- Virology Department, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon
- Hôpital Charles Nicolle, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rouen, Rouen, France
| | | | - Fabienne De Oliveira
- Hôpital Charles Nicolle, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rouen, Rouen, France
| | | | - Laure Ngono
- Virology Department, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | | | - Anfumbom Kfutwah
- Virology Department, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Richard Njouom
- Virology Department, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon
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Experimental Adaptive Evolution of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVcpz to Pandemic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 by Using a Humanized Mouse Model. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.01905-17. [PMID: 29212937 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01905-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the causative agent of AIDS, originated from simian immunodeficiency virus from chimpanzees (SIVcpz), the precursor of the human virus, approximately 100 years ago. This indicates that HIV-1 has emerged through the cross-species transmission of SIVcpz from chimpanzees to humans. However, it remains unclear how SIVcpz has evolved into pandemic HIV-1 in humans. To address this question, we inoculated three SIVcpz strains (MB897, EK505, and MT145), four pandemic HIV-1 strains (NL4-3, NLCSFV3, JRCSF, and AD8), and two nonpandemic HIV-1 strains (YBF30 and DJO0131). Humanized mice infected with SIVcpz strain MB897, a virus phylogenetically similar to pandemic HIV-1, exhibited a peak viral load comparable to that of mice infected with pandemic HIV-1, while peak viral loads of mice infected with SIVcpz strain EK505 or MT145 as well as nonpandemic HIV-1 strains were significantly lower. These results suggest that SIVcpz strain MB897 is preadapted to humans, unlike the other SIVcpz strains. Moreover, viral RNA sequencing of MB897-infected humanized mice identified a nonsynonymous mutation in env, a G413R substitution in gp120. The infectivity of the gp120 G413R mutant of MB897 was significantly higher than that of parental MB897. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the gp120 G413R mutant of MB897 augments the capacity for viral replication in both in vitro cell cultures and humanized mice. Taken together, this is the first experimental investigation to use an animal model to demonstrate a gain-of-function evolution of SIVcpz into pandemic HIV-1.IMPORTANCE From the mid-20th century, humans have been exposed to the menace of infectious viral diseases, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Ebola virus, and Zika virus. These outbreaks of emerging/reemerging viruses can be triggered by cross-species viral transmission from wild animals to humans, or zoonoses. HIV-1, the causative agent of AIDS, emerged by the cross-species transmission of SIVcpz, the HIV-1 precursor in chimpanzees, around 100 years ago. However, the process by which SIVcpz evolved to become HIV-1 in humans remains unclear. Here, by using a hematopoietic stem cell-transplanted humanized-mouse model, we experimentally recapitulate the evolutionary process of SIVcpz to become HIV-1. We provide evidence suggesting that a strain of SIVcpz, MB897, preadapted to infect humans over other SIVcpz strains. We further demonstrate a gain-of-function evolution of SIVcpz in infected humanized mice. Our study reveals that pandemic HIV-1 has emerged through at least two steps: preadaptation and subsequent gain-of-function mutations.
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Rodgers MA, Vallari AS, Harris B, Yamaguchi J, Holzmayer V, Forberg K, Berg MG, Kenmenge J, Ngansop C, Awazi B, Mbanya D, Kaptue L, Brennan C, Cloherty G, Ndembi N. Identification of rare HIV-1 Group N, HBV AE, and HTLV-3 strains in rural South Cameroon. Virology 2017; 504:141-151. [PMID: 28193549 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2017.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Surveillance of emerging viral variants is critical to ensuring that blood screening and diagnostic tests detect all infections regardless of strain or geographic location. In this study, we conducted serological and molecular surveillance to monitor the prevalence and diversity of HIV, HBV, and HTLV in South Cameroon. The prevalence of HIV was 8.53%, HBV was 10.45%, and HTLV was 1.04% amongst study participants. Molecular characterization of 555 HIV-1 specimens identified incredible diversity, including 7 subtypes, 12 CRFs, 6 unclassified, 24 Group O and 2 Group N infections. Amongst 401 HBV sequences were found a rare HBV AE recombinant and two emerging sub-genotype A strains. In addition to HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 strains, sequencing confirmed the fifth known HTLV-3 infection to date. Continued HIV/HBV/HTLV surveillance and vigilance for newly emerging strains in South Cameroon will be essential to ensure diagnostic tests and research stay a step ahead of these rapidly evolving viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - B Harris
- Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA
| | | | | | - K Forberg
- Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA
| | - M G Berg
- Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA
| | - J Kenmenge
- Université de Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - C Ngansop
- Université de Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - B Awazi
- Université de Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - D Mbanya
- Université de Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - L Kaptue
- Université des Montagnes, Montagnes, Bangangté, Cameroon
| | - C Brennan
- Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA
| | - G Cloherty
- Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA
| | - N Ndembi
- Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
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12
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Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) groups M, N, O, and P are the result of independent zoonotic transmissions of simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) infecting great apes in Africa. Among these, only Vpu proteins of pandemic HIV-1 group M strains evolved potent activity against the restriction factor tetherin, which inhibits virus release from infected cells. Thus, effective Vpu-mediated tetherin antagonism may have been a prerequisite for the global spread of HIV-1. To determine whether this particular function enhances primary HIV-1 replication and interferon resistance, we introduced mutations into the vpu genes of HIV-1 group M and N strains to specifically disrupt their ability to antagonize tetherin, but not other Vpu functions, such as degradation of CD4, down-modulation of CD1d and NTB-A, and suppression of NF-κB activity. Lack of particular human-specific adaptations reduced the ability of HIV-1 group M Vpu proteins to enhance virus production and release from primary CD4+ T cells at high levels of type I interferon (IFN) from about 5-fold to 2-fold. Interestingly, transmitted founder HIV-1 strains exhibited higher virion release capacity than chronic control HIV-1 strains irrespective of Vpu function, and group M viruses produced higher levels of cell-free virions than an N group HIV-1 strain. Thus, efficient virus release from infected cells seems to play an important role in the spread of HIV-1 in the human population and requires a fully functional Vpu protein that counteracts human tetherin. Understanding which human-specific adaptations allowed HIV-1 to cause the AIDS pandemic is of great importance. One feature that distinguishes pandemic HIV-1 group M strains from nonpandemic or rare group O, N, and P viruses is the acquisition of mutations in the accessory Vpu protein that confer potent activity against human tetherin. Adaptation was required because human tetherin has a deletion that renders it resistant to the Nef protein used by the SIV precursor of HIV-1 to antagonize this antiviral factor. It has been suggested that these adaptations in Vpu were critical for the effective spread of HIV-1 M strains, but direct evidence has been lacking. Here, we show that these changes in Vpu significantly enhance virus replication and release in human CD4+ T cells, particularly in the presence of IFN, thus supporting an important role in the spread of pandemic HIV-1.
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Nikolopoulos GK, Kostaki EG, Paraskevis D. Overview of HIV molecular epidemiology among people who inject drugs in Europe and Asia. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 46:256-268. [PMID: 27287560 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
HIV strains continuously evolve, tend to recombine, and new circulating variants are being discovered. Novel strains complicate efforts to develop a vaccine against HIV and may exhibit higher transmission efficiency and virulence, and elevated resistance to antiretroviral agents. The United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) set an ambitious goal to end HIV as a public health threat by 2030 through comprehensive strategies that include epidemiological input as the first step of the process. In this context, molecular epidemiology becomes invaluable as it captures trends in HIV evolution rates that shape epidemiological pictures across several geographical areas. This review briefly summarizes the molecular epidemiology of HIV among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Europe and Asia. Following high transmission rates of subtype G and CRF14_BG among PWID in Portugal and Spain, two European countries, Greece and Romania, experienced recent HIV outbreaks in PWID that consisted of multiple transmission clusters including subtypes B, A, F1, and recombinants CRF14_BG and CRF35_AD. The latter was first identified in Afghanistan. Russia, Ukraine, and other Former Soviet Union (FSU) states are still facing the devastating effects of epidemics in PWID produced by AFSU (also known as IDU-A), BFSU (known as IDU-B), and CRF03_AB. In Asia, CRF01_AE and subtype B (Western B and Thai B) travelled from PWID in Thailand to neighboring countries. Recombination hotspots in South China, Northern Myanmar, and Malaysia have been generating several intersubtype and inter-CRF recombinants (e.g. CRF07_BC, CRF08_BC, CRF33_01B etc.), increasing the complexity of HIV molecular patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios K Nikolopoulos
- Hellenic Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention, Amarousio, Greece; Hellenic Scientific Society for the Study of AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Transmission Reduction Intervention Project-Athens site, Athens, Greece.
| | - Evangelia-Georgia Kostaki
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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14
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Shytaj IL, Savarino A. Cell-mediated anti-Gag immunity in pharmacologically induced functional cure of simian AIDS: a 'bottleneck effect'? J Med Primatol 2015; 44:227-40. [PMID: 26058990 DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Administration of antiretroviral therapy and two experimental drugs, auranofin and buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), was previously shown to be followed by drug-free control of chronic SIVmac251 infection, decreased immune activation and increased cell-mediated anti-Gag responses. METHODS Phylogeny was analysed with Phylogeny.fr. Entropy was calculated with the specific tool of the HIV Sequence Database. The capsid Gag structure was computed using SPDBV. The bottleneck effect was simulated through an appropriate online tool. RESULTS The region of Gag predominantly targeted during control of SIVmac251 infection is highly conserved in primate lentiviruses and plays an important role in capsid architecture. Computer-aided simulations support the view that the preferential development of immune responses against this region is derived from a 'bottleneck effect' after restriction, by auranofin and BSO, of the activated lymphocyte pool. CONCLUSIONS Restriction of immune activation through auranofin/BSO may result in stochastic selection of cell clones targeting conserved epitopes leading to a functional cure-like condition.
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15
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Tongo M, Burgers WA. Challenges in the design of a T cell vaccine in the context of HIV-1 diversity. Viruses 2014; 6:3968-90. [PMID: 25341662 PMCID: PMC4213573 DOI: 10.3390/v6103968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 10/15/2014] [Accepted: 10/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The extraordinary variability of HIV-1 poses a major obstacle to vaccine development. The effectiveness of a vaccine is likely to vary dramatically in different populations infected with different HIV-1 subtypes, unless innovative vaccine immunogens are developed to protect against the range of HIV-1 diversity. Immunogen design for stimulating neutralizing antibody responses focuses on “breadth” – the targeting of a handful of highly conserved neutralizing determinants on the HIV-1 Envelope protein that can recognize the majority of viruses across all HIV-1 subtypes. An effective vaccine will likely require the generation of both broadly cross-neutralizing antibodies and non-neutralizing antibodies, as well as broadly cross-reactive T cells. Several approaches have been taken to design such broadly-reactive and cross-protective T cell immunogens. Artificial sequences have been designed that reduce the genetic distance between a vaccine strain and contemporary circulating viruses; “mosaic” immunogens extend this concept to contain multiple potential T cell epitope (PTE) variants; and further efforts attempt to focus T cell immunity on highly conserved regions of the HIV-1 genome. Thus far, a number of pre-clinical and early clinical studies have been performed assessing these new immunogens. In this review, the potential use of these new immunogens is explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Tongo
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Division of Medical Virology, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Wendy A Burgers
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Division of Medical Virology, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa.
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16
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Burchard PR, Abou Tayoun AN, Scherer A, Tsongalis GJ. A rapid RT-PCR assay for the detection of HIV-1 in human plasma specimens. Exp Mol Pathol 2014; 97:111-5. [PMID: 24945443 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2014.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The CDC estimates that there are currently over 1million people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) in the United States, with new cases increasing by approximately 50,000 each year. HIV-1 consists of four distinct groups: the major M group, and the rare N, O, and P groups, each comprising of various subtypes. Without proper care, HIV-1 can lead to cardiovascular, kidney, and liver diseases, cancer, and rapid progression into acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Here, we describe a novel, rapid, and highly sensitive assay for the detection of HIV-1 using intercalating dye based RT-PCR and melt curve analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS We designed an RT-PCR assay for the detection of the major M subtypes in addition to the rare (O, N, and P) HIV-1 groups, as well as an extraction/RT-PCR control, using melt curve analysis. Viral RNA was extracted using the automated Qiagen EZ1 robotic system (Qiagen, Valencia, CA). To establish the limit of detection (LOD) for this assay, we diluted the AcroMetrix HIV-1 panel (LifeTechnologies, Grand Island, NY) to concentrations ranging from 25 to 500 copies/ml. Armored RNA BCR/ABL b3/a2 (Asuragen, Austin, Texas) was used as our extraction and RT-PCR control. Specificity and accuracy were assessed by testing plasma specimens from 48 anonymized patients negative for HIV-1. RESULTS This assay has a turnaround time of less than 2.5h and has a limit of detection of 50 copies/ml of plasma. Our assay also demonstrated 100% concordance with 53 previously quantified plasma patient specimens, including 48 negative samples and 5 positive samples. HIV-1 and our extraction/RT-PCR control were consistently identified at 79 °C and 82.5 °C, respectively. CONCLUSIONS We developed a comprehensive, easy to use assay for the detection of HIV-1 in human plasma. Our assay combines a rapid and cost-effective method for molecular diagnostics with the versatility necessary for widespread laboratory use. These performance characteristics make this HIV-1 detection assay highly suitable for use in a clinical laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Burchard
- Department of Pathology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States; Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Ahmad N Abou Tayoun
- Department of Pathology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States; Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Axel Scherer
- Department of Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Gregory J Tsongalis
- Department of Pathology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States; Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, United States.
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17
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Galli A, Bukh J. Comparative analysis of the molecular mechanisms of recombination in hepatitis C virus. Trends Microbiol 2014; 22:354-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2014.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Revised: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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18
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Abstract
The AIDS pandemic that started in the early 1980s is due to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) group M (HIV-M), but apart from this major group, many divergent variants have been described (HIV-1 groups N, O, and P and HIV-2). The four HIV-1 groups arose from independent cross-species transmission of the simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) SIVcpz, infecting chimpanzees, and SIVgor, infecting gorillas. This, together with human adaptation, accounts for their genomic, phylogenetic, and virological specificities. Nevertheless, the natural course of non-M HIV infection seems similar to that of HIV-M. The virological monitoring of infected patients is now possible with commercial kits, but their therapeutic management remains complex. All non-M variants were principally described for patients linked to Cameroon, where HIV-O accounts for 1% of all HIV infections; only 15 cases of HIV-N infection and 2 HIV-P infections have been reported. Despite improvements in our knowledge, many fascinating questions remain concerning the origin, genetic evolution, and slow spread of these variants. Other variants may already exist or may arise in the future, calling for close surveillance. This review provides a comprehensive, up-to-date summary of the current knowledge on these pathogens, including the historical background of their discovery; the latest advances in the comprehension of their origin and spread; and clinical, therapeutic, and laboratory aspects that may be useful for the management and the treatment of patients infected with these divergent viruses.
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Cross-group neutralization of HIV-1 and evidence for conservation of the PG9/PG16 epitopes within divergent groups. AIDS 2013; 27:1239-44. [PMID: 23343910 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0b013e32835ecb42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE HIV-1 has been classified into four groups: M, N, O and P. The aim of this study was to revisit the cross-group neutralization using a highly diverse panel of primary isolates. DESIGN The panel of viruses included nine HIV-1 group O primary isolates, one recombinant M/O primary isolate, one group N primary isolates, one group P primary isolate, two group M (subtype B) primary isolates and the HIV-1 group M adapted strain MN. METHODS All the viruses were tested for neutralization in TZM-bl cells, using sera issued from patients infected by viruses of group M (n = 11), O (n = 12) and P (n = 1), and a panel of nine human monoclonal broadly neutralizing antibodies (HuMo bNAbs). RESULTS Although the primary isolates displayed a wide spectrum of sensitivity to neutralization by the human sera, cross-group neutralization was clearly observed. In contrast, the bNAbs did not show any cross-group neutralization, except PG9 and PG16. Interestingly, the group N prototype strain YBF30 was highly sensitive to neutralization by PG9 (IC50: 0.28 μg/ml) and PG16 (IC50: < 0.12 μg/ml). The interaction between PG9 and key residues of YBF30 was confirmed by molecular modeling. CONCLUSION The conservation of the PG9 and PG16 epitopes within groups M and N provides an argument for their relevance as components of a potentially efficient HIV vaccine immunogen.
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20
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Human tetherin exerts strong selection pressure on the HIV-1 group N Vpu protein. PLoS Pathog 2012; 8:e1003093. [PMID: 23308067 PMCID: PMC3534379 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Accepted: 10/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 groups M and N emerged within the last century following two independent cross-species transmissions of SIVcpz from chimpanzees to humans. In contrast to pandemic group M strains, HIV-1 group N viruses are exceedingly rare, with only about a dozen infections identified, all but one in individuals from Cameroon. Poor adaptation to the human host may be responsible for this limited spread of HIV-1 group N in the human population. Here, we analyzed the function of Vpu proteins from seven group N strains from Cameroon, the place where this zoonosis originally emerged. We found that these N-Vpus acquired four amino acid substitutions (E15A, V19A and IV25/26LL) in their transmembrane domain (TMD) that allow efficient interaction with human tetherin. However, despite these adaptive changes, most N-Vpus still antagonize human tetherin only poorly and fail to down-modulate CD4, the natural killer (NK) cell ligand NTB-A as well as the lipid-antigen presenting protein CD1d. These functional deficiencies were mapped to amino acid changes in the cytoplasmic domain that disrupt putative adaptor protein binding sites and an otherwise highly conserved ßTrCP-binding DSGxxS motif. As a consequence, N-Vpus exhibited aberrant intracellular localization and/or failed to recruit the ubiquitin-ligase complex to induce tetherin degradation. The only exception was the Vpu of a group N strain recently discovered in France, but originally acquired in Togo, which contained intact cytoplasmic motifs and counteracted tetherin as effectively as the Vpus of pandemic HIV-1 M strains. These results indicate that HIV-1 group N Vpu is under strong host-specific selection pressure and that the acquisition of effective tetherin antagonism may lead to the emergence of viral variants with increased transmission fitness. Differences in their degree of adaptation to humans may explain why only one of four ape-derived SIV zoonoses spawned the AIDS pandemic. Specifically, only HIV-1 strains of the pandemic M group evolved a fully functional Vpu that efficiently antagonizes human tetherin and degrades CD4. In comparison, the rare group N viruses gained some anti-tetherin activity but lost the CD4 degradation function. Here, we show that the N-Vpu transmembrane domain has adapted to interact with human tetherin and identified the mutations that enable this interaction. However, we also show that most N-Vpus remain poor tetherin antagonists and fail to reduce the surface expression of CD4, the natural killer cell ligand NTB-A and the lipid-antigen presenting protein CD1d. This is due to mutations in their cytoplasmic region that are associated with aberrant protein localization and impaired interaction with the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway. A remarkable exception is the Vpu of the first HIV-1 N strain known to be transmitted outside of Cameroon, which contains a functional cytoplasmic domain and is a highly effective tetherin antagonist. These data indicate that group N viruses are still adapting to humans and that the acquisition of potent anti-tetherin activity may eventually lead to the emergence of viral variants that exhibit increased transmission fitness.
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21
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Ly TD, Plantier JC, Leballais L, Gonzalo S, Lemée V, Laperche S. The variable sensitivity of HIV Ag/Ab combination assays in the detection of p24Ag according to genotype could compromise the diagnosis of early HIV infection. J Clin Virol 2012; 55:121-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2012.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2012] [Accepted: 06/20/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Hemelaar J. The origin and diversity of the HIV-1 pandemic. Trends Mol Med 2012; 18:182-92. [PMID: 22240486 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2011.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 262] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2011] [Revised: 11/24/2011] [Accepted: 12/05/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
This review examines the enormous progress that has been made in the past decade in understanding the origin of HIV, HIV genetic variability, and the impact of global HIV diversity on the pandemic. Multiple zoonotic transmissions of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) have resulted in different HIV lineages in humans. In addition, the high mutation and recombination rates during viral replication result in a great genetic variability of HIV within individuals, as well as within populations, upon which evolutionary selection pressures act. The global HIV pandemic is examined in the context of HIV evolution, and the global diversity of HIV subtypes and recombinants is discussed in detail. Finally, the impact of HIV diversity on pathogenesis, transmission, diagnosis, treatment, the immune response, and vaccine development is reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joris Hemelaar
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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23
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Affiliation(s)
- Constance Delaugerre
- Service de Microbiologie, CHU Saint Louis, INSERM U 941, Faculté de Médecine Paris-Diderot, Paris, France
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Inhibition of autoprocessing of natural variants and multidrug resistant mutant precursors of HIV-1 protease by clinical inhibitors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:9072-7. [PMID: 21576495 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1102278108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-cleavage at the N terminus of HIV-1 protease from the Gag-Pol precursor (autoprocessing) is crucial for stabilizing the protease dimer required for onset of mature-like catalytic activity, viral maturation, and propagation. Among nine clinical protease inhibitors (PIs), darunavir and saquinavir were the most effective in inhibiting wild-type HIV-1 group M precursor autoprocessing, with an IC(50) value of 1-2 μM, 3-5 orders of magnitude higher than their binding affinities to the corresponding mature protease. Accordingly, both group M and N precursor-PI complexes exhibit T(m)s 17-21 °C lower than those of the corresponding mature protease-PI complexes suggestive of markedly reduced stabilities of the precursor dimer-PI ensembles. Autoprocessing of group N (natural variant) and three group M precursors bearing 11-20 mutations associated with multidrug resistance was either weakly responsive or fully unresponsive to inhibitors at concentrations up to a practical limit of approximately 150 μM PI. This observation parallels decreases of up to 8 × 10(3)-fold (e.g., 5 pM to 40 nM) in the binding affinity of darunavir and saquinavir to mature multidrug resistant proteases relative to wild type, suggesting that inhibition of some of these mutant precursors will occur only in the high μM to mM range in extreme PI-resistance, which is an effect arising from coordinated multiple mutations. An extremely darunavir-resistant mutant precursor is more responsive to inhibition by saquinavir. These findings raise the questions whether clinical failure of PI therapy is related to lack of inhibition of autoprocessing and whether specific inhibitors can be designed with low-nM affinity to target autoprocessing.
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25
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HIV Genetic Diversity and Drug Resistance. Viruses 2010; 2:503-531. [PMID: 21994646 PMCID: PMC3185604 DOI: 10.3390/v2020503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2009] [Revised: 12/11/2009] [Accepted: 02/01/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Most of the current knowledge on antiretroviral (ARV) drug development and resistance is based on the study of subtype B of HIV-1, which only accounts for 10% of the worldwide HIV infections. Cumulative evidence has emerged that different HIV types, groups and subtypes harbor distinct biological properties, including the response and susceptibility to ARV. Recent laboratory and clinical data highlighting such disparities are summarized in this review. Variations in drug susceptibility, in the emergence and selection of specific drug resistance mutations, in viral replicative capacity and in the dynamics of resistance acquisition under ARV selective pressure are discussed. Clinical responses to ARV therapy and associated confounding factors are also analyzed in the context of infections by distinct HIV genetic variants.
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26
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Vallari A, Bodelle P, Ngansop C, Makamche F, Ndembi N, Mbanya D, Kaptué L, Gürtler LG, McArthur CP, Devare SG, Brennan CA. Four new HIV-1 group N isolates from Cameroon: Prevalence continues to be low. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2010; 26:109-15. [PMID: 20059396 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2009.0178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Analysis of 3555 HIV-seropositive specimens, collected in Cameroon from 2002 to 2006, led to the identification of four HIV-1 group N infections based on differential seroreactivity to HIV env-derived peptides and proteins and confirmation by nucleic acid amplification. Group N prevalence continues to be low accounting for only 0.1% of HIV infections in Cameroon. Near full-length genomic sequences were obtained from viral RNA or proviral DNA by PCR amplification of overlapping fragments for three isolates, 06CM-U14296, 06CM-U14842, and 02CM-SJGddd. Two genome segments, partial pol and env-nef, were obtained from viral RNA for the fourth isolate, 02CM-TIM0217. With the four group N isolates identified in this study and group N sequences previously reported, eight near full-length and five partial genome sequences are now available. Despite genetic divergence from HIV-1 group M and O, all of the group N infections evaluated by five commercial HIV immunoassays were detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Vallari
- Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064
| | | | | | | | - Nicaise Ndembi
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Entebbe, Uganda
- Université des Montagnes, Bangangté, Cameroon
| | | | - Lazare Kaptué
- Université de Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Université des Montagnes, Bangangté, Cameroon
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27
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Van Heuverswyn F, Li Y, Bailes E, Neel C, Lafay B, Keele BF, Shaw KS, Takehisa J, Kraus MH, Loul S, Butel C, Liegeois F, Yangda B, Sharp PM, Mpoudi-Ngole E, Delaporte E, Hahn BH, Peeters M. Genetic diversity and phylogeographic clustering of SIVcpzPtt in wild chimpanzees in Cameroon. Virology 2007; 368:155-71. [PMID: 17651775 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2007.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2007] [Revised: 06/07/2007] [Accepted: 06/13/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
It is now well established that the clade of simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) infecting west central African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) and western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) comprises the progenitors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). In this study, we have greatly expanded our previous molecular epidemiological survey of SIVcpz in wild chimpanzees in Cameroon. The new results confirm a wide but uneven distribution of SIVcpzPtt in P. t. troglodytes throughout southern Cameroon and indicate the absence of SIVcpz infection in Pan troglodytes vellerosus. Analyzing 725 fecal samples from 15 field sites, we obtained partial nucleotide sequences from 16 new SIVcpzPtt strains and determined full-length sequences for two of these. Phylogenetic analyses of these new viruses confirmed the previously reported phylogeographic clustering of SIVcpzPtt lineages, with viruses related to the ancestors of HIV-1 groups M and N circulating exclusively in southeastern and south central P. t. troglodytes communities, respectively. Importantly, the SIVcpzPtt strains from the southeastern corner of Cameroon represent a relatively isolated clade indicating a defined geographic origin of the chimpanzee precursor of HIV-1 group M. Since contacts between humans and apes continue, the possibility of ongoing transmissions of SIV from chimpanzees (or gorillas) to humans has to be considered. In this context, our finding of distinct SIVcpzPtt envelope V3 sequence clades suggests that these peptides may be useful for the serological differentiation of SIVcpzPtt and HIV-1 infections, and thus the diagnosis of new cross-species transmissions if they occurred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fran Van Heuverswyn
- UMR145, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Department of International Health, University of Montpellier 1, 911, Avenue Agropolis, BP 64501, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
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Takehisa J, Kraus MH, Decker JM, Li Y, Keele BF, Bibollet-Ruche F, Zammit KP, Weng Z, Santiago ML, Kamenya S, Wilson ML, Pusey AE, Bailes E, Sharp PM, Shaw GM, Hahn BH. Generation of infectious molecular clones of simian immunodeficiency virus from fecal consensus sequences of wild chimpanzees. J Virol 2007; 81:7463-75. [PMID: 17494082 PMCID: PMC1933379 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00551-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies of simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) in their endangered primate hosts are of obvious medical and public health importance, but technically challenging. Although SIV-specific antibodies and nucleic acids have been detected in primate fecal samples, recovery of replication-competent virus from such samples has not been achieved. Here, we report the construction of infectious molecular clones of SIVcpz from fecal viral consensus sequences. Subgenomic fragments comprising a complete provirus were amplified from fecal RNA of three wild-living chimpanzees and sequenced directly. One set of amplicons was concatenated using overlap extension PCR. The resulting clone (TAN1.24) contained intact genes and regulatory regions but was replication defective. It also differed from the fecal consensus sequence by 76 nucleotides. Stepwise elimination of all missense mutations generated several constructs with restored replication potential. The clone that yielded the most infectious virus (TAN1.910) was identical to the consensus sequence in both protein and long terminal repeat sequences. Two additional SIVcpz clones were constructed by direct synthesis of fecal consensus sequences. One of these (TAN3.1) yielded fully infectious virus, while the second one (TAN2.69) required modification at one ambiguous site in the viral pol gene for biological activity. All three reconstructed proviruses produced infectious virions that replicated in human and chimpanzee CD4(+) T cells, were CCR5 tropic, and resembled primary human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolates in their neutralization phenotype. These results provide the first direct evidence that naturally occurring SIVcpz strains already have many of the biological properties required for persistent infection of humans, including CD4 and CCR5 dependence and neutralization resistance. Moreover, they outline a new strategy for obtaining medically important "SIV isolates" that have thus far eluded investigation. Such isolates are needed to identify viral determinants that contribute to cross-species transmission and host adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Takehisa
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 720 20th Street South, Kaul 816, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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Wang Y, Song A, Xu S, Li X, Chong H, Zhao C, Nie J, Zhang C. Impact of HIV-1 genetic diversity in China on the measurement of viral load. J Med Virol 2007; 80:1-8. [DOI: 10.1002/jmv.21048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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31
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Foster JL, Garcia JV. Role of Nef in HIV-1 replication and pathogenesis. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2007; 55:389-409. [PMID: 17586321 DOI: 10.1016/s1054-3589(07)55011-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John L Foster
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern, Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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32
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VandeWoude S, Apetrei C. Going wild: lessons from naturally occurring T-lymphotropic lentiviruses. Clin Microbiol Rev 2006; 19:728-62. [PMID: 17041142 PMCID: PMC1592692 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00009-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 40 nonhuman primate (NHP) species harbor species-specific simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs). Similarly, more than 20 species of nondomestic felids and African hyenids demonstrate seroreactivity against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antigens. While it has been challenging to study the biological implications of nonfatal infections in natural populations, epidemiologic and clinical studies performed thus far have only rarely detected increased morbidity or impaired fecundity/survival of naturally infected SIV- or FIV-seropositive versus -seronegative animals. Cross-species transmissions of these agents are rare in nature but have been used to develop experimental systems to evaluate mechanisms of pathogenicity and to develop animal models of HIV/AIDS. Given that felids and primates are substantially evolutionarily removed yet demonstrate the same pattern of apparently nonpathogenic lentiviral infections, comparison of the biological behaviors of these viruses can yield important implications for host-lentiviral adaptation which are relevant to human HIV/AIDS infection. This review therefore evaluates similarities in epidemiology, lentiviral genotyping, pathogenicity, host immune responses, and cross-species transmission of FIVs and factors associated with the establishment of lentiviral infections in new species. This comparison of consistent patterns in lentivirus biology will expose new directions for scientific inquiry for understanding the basis for virulence versus avirulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sue VandeWoude
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80538-1619, USA
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33
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Brennan CA, Bodelle P, Coffey R, Harris B, Holzmayer V, Luk KC, Swanson P, Yamaguchi J, Vallari A, Devare SG, Schochetman G, Hackett J. HIV global surveillance: foundation for retroviral discovery and assay development. J Med Virol 2006; 78 Suppl 1:S24-9. [PMID: 16622874 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.20603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The high level of HIV genetic diversity has important implications for screening, diagnostic testing and patient monitoring. Continued diversification and global redistribution of HIV groups, subtypes and recombinants make it imperative that serological and molecular assays be designed and evaluated to ensure reliable performance on all HIV infections. Recognizing the importance of this issue, we initiated a comprehensive program to monitor global diversification of HIV, search for newly emerging variants, assemble large-volume panels of genetically and geographically diverse strains, and develop strategies to determine the impact of HIV diversity on assays used for detecting and monitoring HIV infection. Efforts to identify and characterize rare and emerging HIV strains have lead to the identification of HIV-1 group O, group N, and dual infections of groups M and O. A panel of plasma specimens was established that includes specimens collected from 12 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America; the panel comprises infections due to HIV-1 group M subtypes A, B, C, D, F, and G, as well as CRF01, CRF02, and unique recombinant forms, group N, and group O. Serological and molecular characterization of this unique panel has provided vital sequence data to support assay development and an invaluable source of well-defined specimens to evaluate and compare assay performance. The ability to address the challenge posed by ongoing evolution of HIV and the emergence of new variants requires continued surveillance of global HIV strain diversity, a sound scientific foundation for assay development, and suitable panels to evaluate and validate assay performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Brennan
- Abbott Diagnostics, AIDS Research and Retrovirus Discovery, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6015, USA
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Abstract
HIV is among the most generically variable of human pathogens. A comprehensive and detailed description of HIV strains in the pandemic is an important foundation for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The current sequence database for HIV includes almost 800 complete genome sequences, documenting HIV-1 groups M, O, and N, and HIV-2. Among HIV-1 group M strains, responsible for the vast majority of HIV infections worldwide, 743 sequences represent 9 genetic subtypes, 16 circulating recombinant forms (CRF) that are spreading in populations, and a variety of unique recombinant forms (URF), identified so far only from a single individual. The global distribution of HIV is complex and dynamic with regional epidemics harboring only a subset of the global diversity. HIV strains differ enormously in terms of global prevalence. Six strains account for the majority of HIV infections: HIV-1 subtypes A, B, C, D, and two of the CRF, CRF01-AE and CRF02_AG, respectively. Many of the known subtypes and recombinant forms are currently rare in the epidemic, but could spread more widely if favorable conditions arise. HIV-2 is largely restricted to West Africa at relatively low prevalence there. Groups O and N of HIV-1 are very rare in the pandemic. The goal of universal coverage of HIV-1 strains by diagnostic tests can be met by minimizing false negative test rates for the six globally prevalent HIV-1 group M strains and HIV-2, and by evaluating systematically coverage of rare subtypes and recombinant forms.
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Gifford R, de Oliveira T, Rambaut A, Myers RE, Gale CV, Dunn D, Shafer R, Vandamme AM, Kellam P, Pillay D. Assessment of automated genotyping protocols as tools for surveillance of HIV-1 genetic diversity. AIDS 2006; 20:1521-9. [PMID: 16847407 DOI: 10.1097/01.aids.0000237368.64488.ae] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The routine use of drug resistance testing provides an abundant source of HIV-1 sequence data. However, it is not clear how reliable standard genotyping of these sequences is for describing HIV-1 genetic variation and for detecting novel genetic variants and epidemiological trends. OBJECTIVES To compare assignment of HIV-1 resistance test sequences to reference strains across commonly used genotyping protocols. METHODS Subtype assignments were compared across three standard genotyping protocols for 10 537 resistance test sequences, representing approximately one-fifth of all reported infections in the United Kingdom. Sequences that were inconsistently genotyped across methods, or that were unassigned by at least one method, were examined for evidence of recombination using sliding-window-based approaches. RESULTS Although agreement across methods was high for subtypes B, C and H, it was generally much lower (< 50%) for other subtypes. Disagreement between methods typically involved closely related, but epidemiologically distinct, groups or involved a significant proportion ( approximately 12%) of divergent sequences in which analysis revealed widespread evidence of recombination and a remarkable diversity of unusual recombinant forms. CONCLUSIONS With frequent long-distance transfer of viral strains and widespread recombination between them, genetic and epidemiological relationships within HIV-1 are becoming increasingly complex. Current methods of subtype assignment vary in their ability to identify novel genetic variants and to distinguish epidemiologically distinct strains. Capturing meaningful epidemiological information from resistance test data will require a critical understanding of the methodologies used in order to appreciate the possible sources of error and misclassification.
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Yamaguchi J, McArthur CP, Vallari A, Coffey R, Bodelle P, Beyeme M, Schochetman G, Devare SG, Brennan CA. HIV-1 Group N: evidence of ongoing transmission in Cameroon. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2006; 22:453-7. [PMID: 16706623 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2006.22.453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
An HIV-1 group N infection, 02CM-DJO0135, was identified among specimens collected in 2002 at the D'Joungolo Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon. Sequences were obtained from viral RNA extracted from plasma for regions of LTR-gag, pol-vif, and env. The virus amplified from the specimen is closely related to a previously reported group N virus, 02CM-DJO0131, that was also collected at this hospital in 2002. Although the viral sequences for the two isolates differ, their close relationship suggests that the two specimens are linked. No patient histories are available for 02CM-DJO0131 and 02CM-DJO0135; the specimens could have been drawn from a husband/wife, mother/child, or a single individual. However, differences in seroreactivity indicate that it is unlikely that the specimens were drawn from the same patient. This report documents the second case that suggests linkage between group N-infected individuals and indicates that there is ongoing transmission of HIV-1 group N in Cameroon.
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Vidal N, Mulanga C, Bazepeo SE, Mwamba JK, Tshimpaka JW, Kashi M, Mama N, Laurent C, Lepira F, Delaporte E, Peeters M. Distribution of HIV-1 variants in the Democratic Republic of Congo suggests increase of subtype C in Kinshasa between 1997 and 2002. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2006; 40:456-62. [PMID: 16280702 DOI: 10.1097/01.qai.0000159670.18326.94] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is characterized by low and stable HIV prevalences and high HIV-1 genetic diversity and is most probably the epicenter of HIV-1 group M. Our major goal was to study the distribution of HIV-1 variants over a 5-year period against a background of political instability and civil war. A total of 288 HIV-1-positive samples collected in 2002 from sentinel population groups in an HIV serosurveillance study performed in 4 cities (Kinshasa [capital city], Mbuji-Mayi [south], Lubumbashi [southeast], and Kisangani [northeast]) were genetically characterized by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the V3-V5 env region. The results were compared with those obtained in 1997. Similarly, as in 1997, an extremely high genetic diversity of HIV-1 strains overall and a heterogeneous geographic distribution were seen in 2002. All subtypes and several circulating recombinant forms were present, high intrasubtype diversity was observed, and 5.6% of the samples could not be classified. In each geographic region of the DRC, the genetic diversity was significantly higher than in neighboring countries. Comparison of subtype distribution in similar population groups in Kinshasa in 1997 and 2002 revealed an overall increase of subtype C in Kinshasa from 2.1% to 9.7% and, more precisely, from 0% to 18.9% in female sex workers (P = 0.013). Genetic characterization of HIV-positive samples from sentinel surveys adds significant additional information on new trends in the HIV epidemic. These changes could have implications regarding the spread of HIV infection in the DRC as well on vaccine and/or treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Vidal
- UR36, Institut de Recherche pour e Developement (IRD), Montpellier, France
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38
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Yamaguchi J, Coffey R, Vallari A, Ngansop C, Mbanya D, Ndembi N, Kaptué L, Gürtler LG, Bodelle P, Schochetman G, Devare SG, Brennan CA. Identification of HIV type 1 group N infections in a husband and wife in Cameroon: viral genome sequences provide evidence for horizontal transmission. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2006; 22:83-92. [PMID: 16438650 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2006.22.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 is classified into three groups, M (major), N (non-M non-O), and O (outlier); each group arose from a separate transmission of SIVcpz into humans. HIV-1 group N was recently discovered and infections with this virus are rare with only eight documented cases. All group N infections have been found in Cameroon and there is no evidence of direct linkage between the infected patients. We report here the identification of HIV-1 group N infections in a husband and wife. The group N infection in the husband, 1131-03, was identified first based on seroreactivity in peptide EIAs and confirmed by PCR amplification of group N viral sequences. Subsequently the wife, 1015-04, was evaluated and confirmed to also be infected with a group N virus. Near full-length viral genomes were amplified and sequenced from each patient's specimen. The low level of diversity between the two viral sequences provides evidence of horizontal transmission of group N from one spouse to the other. Patient 1131-03 was receiving antiviral therapy consisting of reverse transcriptase inhibitors; the treatment appears effective for suppression of group N viral replication based on apparently low viral load in plasma specimens collected from the patient and the absence of drug resistance mutations in RT sequences amplified from 1131-03. This report brings to 10 the number of group N infections identified and to 5 the number of group N genomes sequenced. Although group N infections continue to be rare, group N is a pathogenic virus and its prevalence needs to be monitored.
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Nye TMW, Liò P, Gilks WR. A novel algorithm and web-based tool for comparing two alternative phylogenetic trees. Bioinformatics 2005; 22:117-9. [PMID: 16234319 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/bti720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY We describe an algorithm and software tool for comparing alternative phylogenetic trees. The main application of the software is to compare phylogenies obtained using different phylogenetic methods for some fixed set of species or obtained using different gene sequences from those species. The algorithm pairs up each branch in one phylogeny with a matching branch in the second phylogeny and finds the optimum 1-to-1 map between branches in the two trees in terms of a topological score. The software enables the user to explore the corresponding mapping between the phylogenies interactively, and clearly highlights those parts of the trees that differ, both in terms of topology and branch length. AVAILABILITY The software is implemented as a Java applet at http://www.mrc-bsu.cam.ac.uk/personal/thomas/phylo_comparison/comparison_page.html. It is also available on request from the authors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom M W Nye
- Biostatistics Unit, Medical Research Council, Cambridge, UK.
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van Cuyck H, Fan J, Robertson DL, Roques P. Evidence of recombination between divergent hepatitis E viruses. J Virol 2005; 79:9306-14. [PMID: 15994825 PMCID: PMC1168788 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.79.14.9306-9314.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Phylogenetic and recombination analysis was performed on 32 complete hepatitis E virus (HEV) genomes from infected humans and pigs. For the first time, evidence for recombination between divergent HEV strains was obtained, with at least two strains being found to have discordant phylogenetic relationships consistent with the occurrence of intragenotype recombination. This finding confirms that humans can be dually infected with divergent HEV strains and has implications for the emergence and evolution of new HEV epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène van Cuyck
- Etat Major des Armées, Maîtrise des Armements, Cellule d'analyse des risques biologiques it chimiques, Paris, France
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Apetrei C, Gormus B, Pandrea I, Metzger M, ten Haaft P, Martin LN, Bohm R, Alvarez X, Koopman G, Murphey-Corb M, Veazey RS, Lackner AA, Baskin G, Heeney J, Marx PA. Direct inoculation of simian immunodeficiency virus from sooty mangabeys in black mangabeys (Lophocebus aterrimus): first evidence of AIDS in a heterologous African species and different pathologic outcomes of experimental infection. J Virol 2004; 78:11506-18. [PMID: 15479792 PMCID: PMC523258 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.78.21.11506-11518.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A unique opportunity for the study of the role of serial passage and cross-species transmission was offered by a series of experiments carried out at the Tulane National Primate Research Center in 1990. To develop an animal model for leprosy, three black mangabeys (BkMs) (Lophocebus aterrimus) were inoculated with lepromatous tissue that had been serially passaged in four sooty mangabeys (SMs) (Cercocebus atys). All three BkMs became infected with simian immunodeficiency virus from SMs (SIVsm) by day 30 postinoculation (p.i.) with lepromatous tissue. One (BkMG140) died 2 years p.i. from causes unrelated to SIV, one (BkMG139) survived for 10 years, whereas the third (BkMG138) was euthanized with AIDS after 5 years. Histopathology revealed a high number of giant cells in tissues from BkMG138, but no SIV-related lesions were found in the remaining two BkMs. Four-color immunofluorescence revealed high levels of SIVsm associated with both giant cells and T lymphocytes in BkMG138 and no detectable SIV in the remaining two. Serum viral load (VL) showed a significant increase (>1 log) during the late stage of the disease in BkMG138, as opposed to a continuous decline in VL in the remaining two BkMs. With the progression to AIDS, neopterin levels increased in BkMG138. This study took on new significance when phylogenetic analysis unexpectedly showed that all four serially inoculated SMs were infected with different SIVsm lineages prior to the beginning of the experiment. Furthermore, the strain infecting the BkMs originated from the last SM in the series. Therefore, the virus infecting BkMs has not been serially passaged. In conclusion, we present the first compelling evidence that direct cross-species transmission of SIV may induce AIDS in heterologous African nonhuman primate (NHP) species. The results showed that cross-species-transmitted SIVsm was well controlled in two of three BkMs for 2 and 10 years, respectively. Finally, this case of AIDS in an African monkey suggests that the dogma of SIV nonpathogenicity in African NHP hosts should be reconsidered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Apetrei
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, 18703 Three Rivers Rd., Covington, LA 70433, USA.
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Bodelle P, Vallari A, Coffey R, McArthur CP, Beyeme M, Devare SG, Schochetman G, Brennan CA. Identification and genomic sequence of an HIV type 1 group N isolate from Cameroon. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2004; 20:902-8. [PMID: 15320995 DOI: 10.1089/0889222041725262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-infected plasma specimens, collected in Cameroon between 1999 and 2002, were screened for HIV-1 group N and SIVcpz infections using a serological screening algorithm based on immunoassays with antigens derived from HIV-1 group M, N, and O, and SIVcpz strains. Specimens with reactivity to group N and SIVcpz antigens were characterized by RT-PCR and sequence analysis to identify the infecting virus. Although several specimens were serotyped as potential group N or SIVcpz infections, only one group N infection was confirmed. The specimen, 02CM-DJO0131, was collected in 2002 from a hospital patient at the D'Joungolo Hospital, Yaoundé. The virus genome was amplified as seven overlapping fragments comprising 8938 nucleotides. Phylogenetic analysis shows that 02CM-DJO0131 branches with group N sequences. With this study, three near full-length sequences are now available for group N. While we confirm the presence of group N in the Cameroonian population, group N infections continue to be rare and difficult to identify.
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