Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Diversity and Pathogenesis
A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Viruses".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2021) | Viewed by 8368
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaques are the most widely used animal model in AIDS research. This is one of the best animal models in the history of infection diseases, as it reproduces in a condensed time frame all the major pathogenic characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV and SIV also share molecular biology features, including target cells, mechanisms of cell infection, and key features of virus persistence. The use of animal models has permitted the definition of all the key features of HIV infection that impact the strategies of viral control. In fact: (a) the study of the early events of SIV infection at the mucosal sites of entry allowed the identification of strategies aimed at controlling viral transmission; (b) detailed studies of virus replication and CD4+ T cell depletion permitted us to understand the mechanisms of HIV pathogenesis and were instrumental for establishing new therapeutic guidelines; (c) the studies of reservoir seeding, maintenance, and reactivation performed in macaques were instrumental for defining cure strategies; (d) the detailed assessment of immune responses and the correlates of immune protection placed the macaque model at the center of AIDS vaccine research; (e) finally, more recently, comparative studies in pathogenic and nonpathogenic nonhuman primate models of AIDS established the critical role of chronic inflammation and immune activation in disease progression and death, leading to a better understanding of the mechanisms of and prevention measures for HIV-related comorbidities. Also, a detailed characterization of SIV diversity in their natural hosts allowed us to trace the origin of HIV in monkeys and apes. In most of these cases, studies in monkeys preceded the human studies by decades and clearly piloted the field. More recently, significant achievements in generating new more natural viral strains for use in nonhuman primates and better antiretroviral treatment regimens reinvigorated the SIV/macaque model and opened new avenues for its use in major areas of current HIV research. These achievements have considerably shaped the field of research based on animal models; not surprisingly, this research model is used to study other infectious diseases, particularly, emergent infections such as that by SARS-CoV-2. This Special Issue will present key achievements in the field of SIV infection of nonhuman primates and model contributions to the study of HIV pathogenesis, prevention, treatment, and cure.
Prof. Cristian Apetrei
Guest Editor
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