Work

Remarks on the article of Hadas et al.: Transmission of chimeric HIV by mating in conventional mice: prevention by pre-exposure antiretroviral therapy and reduced susceptibility during estrus

Year: 2014

Type: letter

Abstract: We read with interest the recent paper by Hadas et al., titled “Transmission of chimeric HIV by mating in conventional mice: prevention by pre-exposure antiretroviral therapy and reduced susceptibility during estrus”, first published online on July 25, 2013 (ahead of print) in Disease Models & Mechanisms (Hadas et al., 2013). The paper describes an innovative HIV transmission model using conventional mice and the EcoHIV virus [HIV genome with envelope from ecotropic murine leukemia virus (MLV)]. Such a model could offer distinct advantages, as described by the authors: (1) “[this model] provides a simple, small animal platform to investigate interventions to prevent the most frequent route of HIV transmission” and (2) it opens “the extensive repertoire of genetically engineered and mutant mice to study the requirements for [HIV sexual transmission]”. Current models used for studies of HIV sexual transmission have serious limitations: macaque and humanized mouse models are very expensive, limited in availability and might not accurately reflect human HIV transmission events; in vitro studies using human tissue explants are limited by poor cell viability and inter-patient variability; and in vitro models based on human cell lines usually do not reflect the complexity of natural differentiated genital tract epithelia. An inexpensive murine model for HIV transmission studies would be a welcome addition to the field, but, unfortunately, the new model described in this article also has serious limitations. We cite three major limitations here:In our opinion, this article has not established a new mouse model for HIV sexual transmission and, even if subsequent experiments show that the EcoHIV virus can be transmitted via intercourse in conventional mice, the utility of the model for studies on mechanisms of human HIV sexual transmission is severely limited due to differences in viral characteristics between EcoHIV and HIV, and in the events associated with intercourse and reproduction in mice and humans.

Source: Disease Models & Mechanisms

DOI: 10.1242/dmm.014043

Authors: Deborah J. Anderson, Joseph A. Politch

Institution: Boston University

Language: English

Topic: HIV Research and Treatment

Subfield: Virology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,750