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M B Gardner

Publications and source records attributed to M B Gardner.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Neurobiology of simian and feline immunodeficiency virus infections.

Experimental and clinical evidence indicates that all lentiviruses of animals and humans are neurotropic and potentially neurovirulent. The prototypic animal lentiviruses, visna virus in sheep and caprine arthritis encephalitis virus in goats have been known for decades to induce neurologic disease. More recently, infection of the brain with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been linked to an associated encephalopathy and cognitive/motor complex. While the visna virus and caprine arthritis encephalitis virus are important models of neurologic disease they are not optimal for the study of HIV encephalitis because immune deficiency is only a minor component of the disease they induce. By contrast, the recently isolated lentiviruses from monkeys and cats, the simian and feline immunodeficiency viruses (SIV and FIV respectively), are profoundly immunosuppressive as well as neurotropic. SIV infection of the central nervous system of macaques now provides the best animal model for HIV infection of the human brain due to the close evolutionary relationship between monkeys and man, the genetic relatedness of their respective lentiviruses, and the similarities in the neuropathology. This chapter will compare and contrast the neurobiology of SIV and FIV with HIV.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Identification of viral determinants of macrophage tropism for simian immunodeficiency virus SIVmac.

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), a lymphocytopathic lentivirus, induces an AIDS-like disease in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). A pathogenic molecular clone of rhesus macaque SIV (SIVmac), SIVmac-239, replicates and induces cytopathology in T lymphocytes but is restricted for replication in macrophages. In contrast, a nonpathogenic molecular clone of SIVmac, SIVmac-1A11, replicates and induces syncytia (multinucleated giant cells) in cultures of both T lymphocytes and macrophages. SIVmac-1A11 does not cause disease in macaques. To map the viral determinants of macrophage tropism, reciprocal recombinant genomes were constructed between molecular clones of SIVmac-239 and SIVmac-1A11. Infectious recombinant viruses were rescued by transfection of cloned viral genomes into permissive lymphoid cells. Analysis of one pair of reciprocal recombinants revealed that an internal 6.2-kb DNA fragment of SIVmac-1A11 was necessary and sufficient for both syncytium formation and efficient replication in macrophages. This region includes the coding sequences for a portion of the gag gene, all of the pol, vif, vpr, and vpx genes, the first coding exons of tat and rev, and the external env glycoprotein gp130. Thus, the transmembrane glycoprotein of env, the nef gene, the second coding exons of tat and rev, and the long terminal repeats are not essential for in vitro macrophage tropism. Analysis of additional recombinants revealed that syncytium formation, but not virus production, was controlled by a 1.4-kb viral DNA fragment in SIVmac-1A11 encoding only the external env glycoprotein gp130. Thus, gp130 env of SIVmac-1A11 is necessary for entry of virus into macrophages but is not sufficient for a complete viral replication cycle in this cell type. We therefore conclude that gp130 env and one or more genetic elements (exclusive of the long terminal repeats, transmembrane glycoprotein of env, and second coding exons of tat and rev, and nef) are essential for a complete replication cycle of SIVmac in rhesus macaque macrophages.

Animals↗

A highly divergent simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVstm) recovered from stored stump-tailed macaque tissues.

We report here the results of molecular analysis of a simian immunodeficiency virus (designated SIVstm) which was isolated from a rhesus monkey inoculated with stored lymph node tissue of an Asian stump-tailed macaque. The latter monkey had died in 1977 during an epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency and lymphoma at the California Regional Primate Research Center (L. J. Lowenstine, N. W. Lerche, P. A. Marx, M. B. Gardner, and N. C. Pedersen, p. 174-176, in M. Girard and L. Valette, ed., Retroviruses of Human AIDS and Related Animal Viruses, 1988). Nucleotide sequence analysis of the gag and env regions indicates that SIVstm is an ancient member of the SIV/human immunodeficiency virus type 2 group; it is quite divergent from known SIVs isolated from African sooty mangabeys as well as from Asian macaques. Furthermore, of all SIV strains described to date, SIVstm is the most closely related to human immunodeficiency virus type 2.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Elimination of type D retrovirus infection from group-housed rhesus monkeys using serial testing and removal.

Type D retrovirus was successfully eliminated from an infected population of group-housed rhesus monkeys by serial testing of all animals for virus and antibody and subsequent removal of positives. This population of 53 rhesus had been housed together for 1 year prior to the initiation of the test and removal program, with six deaths from type D retrovirus-induced immunodeficiency disease occurring during this period. No new infections were detected after four rounds of testing. Of the 47 animals present at the start of the testing program, 17 (35%) remained after the elimination of type D virus from this group. These animals and their offspring have remained healthy and antibody negative for more than 2 years. These results demonstrate that elimination of type D retroviruses from rhesus macaque colonies is feasible, and that the objective of establishing and maintaining retrovirus-free colonies is realistic and achievable.

Animals↗

Localization of simian immunodeficiency virus in the central nervous system of rhesus monkeys.

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), like the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is a lentivirus that is both immunosuppressive and neurovirulent. Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) inoculated with SIV often develop a giant cell encephalitis similar to that seen in humans infected with HIV. The authors examined SIV expression by immunohistochemistry and RNA in situ hybridization in the cerebrum, cerebellum, choroid plexus, and spinal cord from five macaques with and two macaques without giant cell encephalitis. Selected portions of the central nervous system (CNS) also were examined by electron microscopy. Simian immunodeficiency virus was detected in the CNS of all seven monkeys whether or not they had giant cell encephalitis. Both SIV antigen and RNA were present in all levels of the CNS examined. Macrophage/giant cell lesions always contained viral RNA and antigen and were the only sites where viral particles were detected by electron microscopy. However, SIV antigen and RNA also were commonly associated with small vessels, the choroid plexus, and meninges; these were the only locations where virus was detected in animals without giant cell encephalitis. Immunophenotyping showed that the cellular infiltrates consisted primarily of monocyte/macrophages and occasional CD8-positive T cells. Macrophages and T cells also were present in the stroma of the choroid plexus and were intimately associated with vessels in the CNS of SIV-infected but not uninfected macaques. Simian immunodeficiency virus infection of the macaque CNS provides an excellent model for studying the pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention of HIV-1-encephalitis.

Animals↗

SIV of stump-tailed macaque (SIVstm) is a divergent Asian isolate.

Analysis of molecularly cloned DNAs of SIVs isolated from Asian rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta; SIVmac) and pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina; SIVmne) has indicated a high degree of sequence homology between these viruses. Thus SIVmac and SIVmne might have originated from the same or very closely related viruses. We have cloned and sequenced a PCR-amplified segment containing the LTR sequences of SIV originating from a stump-tailed macaque (Macaca arctoides; SIVstm). Comparative sequence analysis indicates that SIVstm belongs to the SIV/HIV-2 group; however, it is genetically distinct from the other members.

Animals↗

SIV vaccine protection of rhesus monkeys.

Rhesus macaques (M. mulatta), immunized with an inactivated whole SIVmac vaccine and muramyl dipeptide or Freund's incomplete adjuvant, were protected against IV challenge infection with 10 animal infectious doses of the homologous virus. The protection in these animals appeared to be complete, with no breakthrough of latent virus infection over a 10-month period. Vaccine protection in this model was correlated generally with a high level of SIVmac envelope antibody by ELISA and immunoblot, high titers of syncytial inhibiting antibody, and, more specifically, with the presence of antibodies binding to a putative V3 loop synthetic peptide of the SIVmac outer envelope. This model can now be used for further identification of the protective epitopes and protective host immune responses as well as for development of novel and better AIDS vaccines.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗

Functional deficiency of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

The functional characteristics of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), considered to be the first line of host defense against infections, from rhesus macaques confirmed to have simian retrovirus (SRV)-induced simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS), were evaluated. The PMN from SRV antibody-positive macaques without clinical signs were chemotactically responsive. Their phagocytic and killing capabilities were normal, and their cell membranes were highly deformable. However, PMN from SRV antibody-positive macaques and with persistent lymphadenopathy, as well as having at least 3 of the 11 common clinical signs of AIDS, were chemotactically nonresponsive. Their phagocytic and killing capabilities were compromised, and their cell membranes were rigid and nondeformable. In general, PMN from macaques with clinically confirmed SAIDS were functionally deficient. The results are similar to those obtained in other retroviral infections and can be clinically significant, because the host defense deficiency may be responsible for the recurrent and opportunistic infections in SAIDS.

Animals↗

Simian immunodeficiency virus infection of macaque bone marrow macrophages correlates with disease progression in vivo.

The pathogenesis of hematopoietic abnormalities associated with infection of susceptible hosts with either simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is not fully understood. To determine if bone marrow cells are infected with SIV and if the pattern of viral infection is correlated with the severity of disease and abnormalities in hematopoiesis, 23 SIV-infected rhesus monkeys were examined by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. By immunohistochemistry, only four monkeys were positive for SIV core protein p27, while in situ hybridization revealed viral RNA in the bone marrow of 15 monkeys. Simian immunodeficiency virus RNA was consistently expressed in the bone marrow from monkeys with severe lymphoid depletion (11 of 11), but less so in monkeys with follicular hyperplasia (0 of 2) or mild lymphoid depletion (4 of 10). In animals with mild lymphoid depletion, bone marrow cells infected with SIV were mainly mononuclear cells that appeared to be of myelomonocytic lineage. In contrast, monkeys with severe lymphoid depletion had SIV RNA localized to larger mononuclear cells with abundant cytoplasm often located in small lucent areas of the stroma. These SIV RNA-positive mononuclear cells were positive for the macrophage determinant CD68 as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore the stage of simian acquired immune deficiency syndrome, as indicated by lymphoid morphology, and SIV localization in the bone marrow were correlated with the incidence of anemia, bone marrow hyperplasia, and abnormal distribution of macrophages in the bone marrow. These results indicate that, in common with other animal lentiviral infections, the macrophage is a major target of SIV infections in the bone marrow.

Animals↗

Natural killer cell activity of rhesus macaques against retrovirus-pulsed CD4+ target cells.

Rhesus peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) fail to demonstrate natural killer (NK) activity against the human T-cell lines CEM, CEM x 174, or SUP-T1. However, these cell lines could act as NK-sensitive target cells if they were pulsed with heat-inactivated, whole simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). The ability of these SIV-pulsed T-cell lines to act as NK-sensitive target cells was directly related to the relative density of CD4 on their surface. Target cell generation was inhibited by preincubation of cell lines with CD4 monoclonal antibody (MAb) with specificity for the SIV binding site. In addition, NK activity was seen against target cells that had been prepared with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120, nonglycosylated gp120, env A of feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and simian type D retrovirus (SRV). Addition of leupeptin to target cells prior to SIV pulsing did not result in a significant decrease in cytotoxic activity, suggesting that processing is not required for the generation of target cells. The cells that mediate NK activity are nonadherent, do not form rosettes with AET-treated sheep red blood cells (SRBC), and are phenotypically CD16+ and CD8+. NK activity of SIV-infected macaques was significantly decreased against both K562 cells and SIV-pulsed target cells as compared with uninfected animals. However, treatment of PBMC with interleukin-2 (IL-2) resulted in a partial restoration of NK activity.

Animals↗

Simian immunodeficiency virus-specific T-cell-mediated proliferative response of infected rhesus macaques.

While cell-mediated immunity is known to play an important role in controlling viral infections, its role in human and experimental animal models of human AIDS has not been established. To address this issue, four juvenile rhesus macaques were infected with simian immunodeficiency virus SIVMAC. Freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from these SIVMAC-infected macaques and four uninfected control macaques were assessed for T-cell proliferative activity to SIV, monthly, for 10 consecutive months. T cells from SIV-infected monkeys failed to proliferate in response to SIV added directly to the culture. However, when SIV was processed by autologous antigen-presenting cells prior to culture with purified T cells, proliferative responses were uniformly demonstrated in SIV-infected monkeys, but not in uninfected controls. Proliferation in response to heat-inactivated SIV was mediated by CD4+ T cells and was shown to be MHC class II-restricted. However, the proliferative response to infectious SIV was mediated by both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and was MHC class-restricted. As disease progressed, a decline in the T-cell proliferative response was observed.

Animals↗

Inactivated simian immunodeficiency virus vaccine failed to protect rhesus macaques from intravenous or genital mucosal infection but delayed disease in intravenously exposed animals.

Eight rhesus macaques were immunized four times over a period of 8 months with a psoralen-UV-light-inactivated whole simian immunodeficiency virus vaccine adjuvanted with threonyl muramyl dipeptide. Eight unvaccinated control animals received adjuvant alone. Only the vaccinated animals made antibodies before challenge exposure to the viral core and envelope as determined by Western blotting (immunoblotting) and virus-neutralizing antibodies. Ten days after the final immunization, one-half of the vaccinated and nonvaccinated monkeys were challenged exposed intravenously (i.v.) and one-half were challenge exposed via the genital mucosa with virulent simian immunodeficiency virus. All of the nonvaccinated control monkeys became persistently infected. In spite of preexisting neutralizing antibodies and an anamnestic antibody response, all of the immunized monkeys also became persistently infected. However, there was evidence that the clinical course in immunized i.v. infected animals was delayed. All four mock-vaccinated i.v. challenge-exposed animals died with disease from 3 to 9 months postchallenge. In contrast, only one of four vaccinated i.v. challenge-exposed monkeys had died by 11 months postchallenge.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗