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Genetically modified adenovirus vector containing an RGD peptide in the HI loop of the fiber knob improves gene transfer to nonhuman primate isolated pancreatic islets.

The ability to transfer immunoregulatory, cytoprotective, or antiapoptotic genes into pancreatic islets (PIs) may allow enhanced post-transplantation survival. The available gene transfer vectors differ greatly in their ability to infect and express genes in different cell types. One limitation associated with the use of viral vectors is related to the virus reliance on the presence of its primary binding site. Tropism of the viral vectors can be altered using retargeting strategies. Results on phage biopanning proved that the RGD motif has in vivo targeting capabilities. This motif interacts especially with cellular integrins of the alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5 types, highly expressed on pancreatic islets. In this report, we have explored the utility of a retargeted adenovirus vector (Ad) containing an RGD motif in the HI loop of the fiber knob in order to improve the infection efficiency to intact isolated nonhuman primate PIs and reduce toxicity after the genetic modification. Nonhuman primate Pis were isolated by a semi-automated technique. Steptozotocin-induced diabetic mice with severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) were used as recipients. A recombinant Ad containing a heterologous RGD peptide and expressing luciferase (AdRGDLuc) or green fluorescent protein (AdRGDGFP) were generated in our laboratory. Similar Ads without the RGD peptide were used as a control (AdLuc and AdGFP). Higher transfection efficiency was demonstrated using AdRGDGFP compared with AdGFP (>80% of the islet cells were infected at 10 particle-forming units (pfu)/cell using AdRGDGFP vs. 7% after infection with AdGFP).More than 90% of the infected cells were insulin-producing cells. Significantly higher transgene expression was demonstrated after infection with AdRGDLuc compared with AdLuc at different titers. Analysis of the glucose-stimulated insulin response demonstrated better performance of PI transfected with AdRGDLuc at low titers (10 pfu/cell in order to achieve > 80% transfection efficiency) compared with AdLuc at high titers. Finally, long-term euglycemia (>250d) was observed in 89% of the animals that received PI infected with AdRGDLuc compared with none of the animals that received PI infected with AdLuc. The present study provides new information about the possibility of tropism modification of Ad vectors to increase the transfection efficiency and transgene expression to isolated PI. Incorporation of the RGD sequence in the HI loop of the fiber knob allows highly efficient transfection efficiency to nonhuman primate insulin-producing cells and adequate long-term function of the p-cell after transplantation.

Adenoviridae↗

Pharmacokinetics of the protease inhibitor KNI-272 in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in nonhuman primates after intravenous dosing and in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children after intravenous and oral dosing.

KNI-272 is a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitor with potent activity in vitro. We studied the pharmacokinetics of KNI-272 in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of a nonhuman primate model and after intravenous and oral administration to children with HIV infection. Plasma and CSF were sampled over 24 h after the administration of an intravenous dose of 50 mg of KNI-272 per kg of body weight (approximately 1,000 mg/m2) to three nonhuman primates. The pharmacokinetics of KNI-272 were also studied in 18 children (9 males and 9 females; median age, 9.4 years) enrolled in a phase I trial of four dose levels of KNI-272 (100, 200, 330, and 500 mg/m2 per dose given four times daily). The plasma concentration-time profile of KNI-272 in the nonhuman primate model was characterized by considerable interanimal variability and rapid elimination (clearance, 2.5 liters/h/kg; terminal half-life, 0.54 h). The level of drug exposure achieved in CSF, as measured by the area under the KNI-272 concentration-time curve, was only 1% of that achieved in plasma. The pharmacokinetics of KNI-272 in children were characterized by rapid elimination (clearance, 276 ml/min/m2; terminal half-life, 0.44 h), limited (12%) and apparently saturable bioavailability, and limited distribution (volume of distribution at steady state, 0.11 liter/kg). The concentrations in plasma were maintained above a concentration that is active in vitro for less than half of the 6-h dosing interval. There was no significant increase in CD4 cell counts or decrease in p24 antigen or HIV RNA levels. The pharmacokinetic profile of KNI-272 may limit the drug's efficacy in vivo. It appears that KNI-272 will play a limited role in the treatment of HIV-infected children.

Administration, Oral↗

Localization of Borrelia burgdorferi in the nervous system and other organs in a nonhuman primate model of lyme disease.

Lyme borreliosis is caused by infection with the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. Nonhuman primates inoculated with the N40 strain of B. burgdorferi develop infection of multiple tissues, including the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous system. In immunocompetent nonhuman primates, spirochetes are present in low numbers in tissues. For this reason, it has been difficult to study their localization and changes in expression of surface proteins. To further investigate this, we inoculated four immunosuppressed adult Macaca mulatta with 1 million spirochetes of the N40 strain of B. burgdorferi, and compared them with three infected immunocompetent animals and two uninfected controls. The brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, skeletal muscle, heart, and bladder were obtained at necropsy 4 months later. The spirochetal tissue load was first studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-ELISA of the outer surface protein A (ospA) gene. Immunohistochemistry was used to study the localization and numbers of spirochetes in tissues and the expression of spirochetal proteins and to characterize the inflammatory response. Hematoxylin and eosin and trichrome stains were used to study inflammation and tissue injury. The results showed that the number of spirochetes was significantly higher in immunosuppressed animals. B. burgdorferi in the CNS localized to the leptomeninges, nerve roots, and dorsal root ganglia, but not to the parenchyma. Outside of the CNS, B. burgdorferi localized to endoneurium and to connective tissues of peripheral nerves, skeletal muscle, heart, aorta, and bladder. Although ospA, ospB, ospC, and flagellin were present at the time of inoculation, only flagellin was expressed by spirochetes in tissues 4 months later. Significant inflammation occurred only in the heart, and only immunosuppressed animals had cardiac fiber degeneration and necrosis. Plasma cells were abundant in inflammatory foci of steroid-treated animals. We concluded that B. burgdorferi has a tropism for the meninges in the CNS and for connective tissues elsewhere in the body.

Animals↗

Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid pharmacokinetics of imatinib after administration to nonhuman primates.

PURPOSE: Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec, Glivec, STI571, imatinib) is a potent tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. The role of imatinib in the treatment of malignant gliomas and other solid tumors is being evaluated. We used a nonhuman primate model that is highly predictive of the cerebrospinal fluid penetration of drugs in humans to study the pharmacokinetics of imatinib in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after i.v. and p.o. administration. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Imatinib, 15 mg/kg i.v. over 30 min (n = 3) or 30 mg/kg p.o. (n = 3), was administered to nonhuman primates. Imatinib was measured in serial samples of plasma and CSF using high-pressure liquid chromatography with UV absorbance or mass spectroscopic detection. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using model-independent methods. RESULTS: Peak plasma imatinib concentrations ranged from 6.4 to 9.5 microM after i.v. dosing and 0.8 to 2.8 microM after p.o. dosing. The mean +/-SD area under the plasma concentration versus time curve was 2480 +/-1340 microM.min and 1191 +/-146 microM.min after i.v. and p.o. dosing, respectively. The terminal half-life was 529 +/-167 min after i.v. dosing and 266 +/-88 min after p.o. dosing. After i.v. dosing the steady state volume of distribution was 5.9 +/-2.8 liter/kg, and the total body clearance was 12 +/-5 ml/min/kg. The mean peak CSF concentration was 0.25 +/-0.07 microM after i.v. dosing and 0.07 +/-0.04 microM after p.o. dosing. The mean CSF:plasma area under the plasma concentration versus time curve ratio for all of the animals was 5% +/-2%. CONCLUSIONS: There is limited penetration of imatinib into the CSF of nonhuman primates after i.v. and p.o. administration.

Administration, Oral↗

Calorie restriction in nonhuman primates: mechanisms of reduced morbidity and mortality.

Long term chronic calorie restriction (CR) of adult nonhuman primates significantly reduces morbidity and increases median age of death. The present review is focused upon an ongoing study of sustained adult-onset calorie restriction, which has been underway for 15 years. Monkeys, initially calorie restricted at about 10 years of age, are now approximately 25 years old. The median life span of these restricted monkeys is increasing, now exceeding that of ad libitum (AL)-fed monkeys. In our laboratory, maximum life span for AL-fed monkeys appears to be about 40 years. Thus, whether CR can also increase maximal life span, as it does in rodents, cannot be determined for at least another 15 years. The earliest detectable positive benefit on morbidity in these monkeys was previously reported as the prevention of obesity. Current evidence, as reviewed here, suggests that much obesity-associated morbidity is also mitigated by sustained calorie restraint in nonhuman primates. Furthermore, probably because of the prevention of obesity, diabetes has also been prevented. Recent findings include the identification of extraordinary changes in the glycogen synthesis pathway, and on the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase in response to insulin. This calorie restriction-induced prevention of morbidity does not require excessive leanness, but is clearly present when body fat is within the normal range of 10 to 22%, and this is likely to be true in humans as well.

Animals↗

Mutations in CCR5-coding sequences are not associated with SIV carrier status in African nonhuman primates.

African monkeys can be naturally infected with SIV but do not progress to AIDS. Since mutations in the human CCR5 gene have been shown to influence susceptibility to HIV infection and disease progression, we have now investigated whether mutations in CCR5-coding sequences in African nonhuman primates can explain species-specific differences in susceptibility to lentiviral infection. The animals studied comprise chronically infected monkeys corresponding to four natural hosts of SIV (Cercopithecus aethiops, Cercopithecus pygerythrus, Cercopithecus sabaeus, and Cercopithecus tantalus), noninfected animals from three species that are known to be susceptible to SIV infection (Cercopithecus patas, Cercopithecus Ihoesti, and Pan troglodytes), and monkeys of six species that do not carry SIV in the wild (Cercocebus galeritus, Cercocebus aterrimus, Cercopithecus ascanius, Cercopithecus nictitans, Cercopithecus neglectus, and Cercopithecus cephus). We observed a high degree of genetic divergence among the species. The rate of accumulation of amino acid mutations was, however, not higher in SIV carriers than in other nonhuman primates. No homozygous premature stop codons, deletions, or frameshift mutations were detected. In at least two animals, one infected AGM (Cercopithecus tantalus) and one noninfected monkey (Cercocebus aterrimus), the CCR5 alleles identified encode functional proteins, as they were identical in terms of amino acid sequence to that of functional CCR5 reported in the literature. We found no other consistent differences in the genetic variability of CCR5-coding sequences between the nonhuman primates that are carriers of SIV and those that are not.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Induction of osteogenic sarcomas and tumors of the hepatobiliary system in nonhuman primates with aflatoxin B1.

The carcinogenicity of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has been under evaluation in nonhuman primates for the past 13 years. A total of 47 Old World monkeys, chiefly rhesus and cynomolgus, have received AFB1 i.p. (0.125 to 0.25 mg/kg) and/or p.o. (0.1 to 0.8 mg/kg) for 2 months or longer, and 12 are currently alive and without evidence of tumor. Thirteen of the 35 monkeys necropsied to date (37%) developed one or more malignant neoplasms, yielding an overall tumor incidence of 28%. Five of the neoplasms were primary liver tumors (2 hepatocellular carcinomas and 3 hemangioendothelial sarcomas), and 2 cases of osteogenic sarcoma were found. Other tumors diagnosed were 6 carcinomas of the gall bladder or bile duct, 3 tumors of the pancreas or its ducts, and one papillary Grade I carcinoma of the urinary bladder. The tumors developed in animals receiving an average total AFB1 dose of 709 mg (range, 99 to 1354 mg) for an average of 114 months (range, 47 to 147 months). Fifteen of the 22 necropsied monkeys (68%) without tumor showed histological evidence of liver damage, including toxic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hyperplastic liver nodules. These animals had received an average total AFB1 dose of 363 mg (range, 0.35 to 1368 mg) for an average of 55 months (range, 2 to 141 months). Our results indicate that AFB1 is a potent hepatotoxin and carcinogen in nonhuman primates and further support the hypothesis that humans exposed to this substance may be at risk of developing cancer.

Aflatoxins↗

Lipoprotein(a): nonhuman primate models.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a low density lipoprotein which has apo(a) disulfide-linked to apoB100. Apo(a) has recently been shown to have a striking homology with plasminogen, a knowledge that has stimulated a lot of interest in the mechanism of atherogenicity and thrombogenicity of this lipoprotein particle. Several studies have documented the presence of Lp(a) in nonhuman primates with particular reference to the rhesus monkeys and baboons. The Lp(a) of rhesus monkey is structurally very similar to that of humans, except for the absence of kringle V and the amino acid composition of the catalytic region. The Lp(a) of nonhuman primates, like their human counterparts, exhibit a wide range of interindividual plasma levels and also a wide size polymorphism of apo(a). Nonhuman primates appear to represent a good model for the study of the structure and biology of Lp(a).

Animals↗

Structural evidence for mechanisms to redistribute hepatic and ductus venosus blood flows in nonhuman primate fetuses.

OBJECTIVE: The ductus venosus (DV) and the intrahepatic branches of the portal vein (BPV) play an important role in umbilical blood distribution to the fetal liver and the rest of the fetal circulation. Increased DV shunting is a major fetal survival mechanism during stress situations. The availability of a nonpregnant primate animal model with similar structure and function would greatly improve our understanding of DV function. However, the anatomic and histologic structure of the DV and the BPV have not been thoroughly investigated in any nonhuman primate species. METHODS: Anatomic and immunohistochemical (Masson's and alpha-smooth actin stains) investigations were performed on 17 baboon fetuses at 173 +/- 5 days' gestation (mean +/- SEM, term = 180 days) (Papio sp. ) and 3 near term rhesus (Macaca mulatta) fetuses. RESULTS: In both species the branchless, funnel-shaped DV coursed cranially, posteriorly, and slightly oblique to the left side. The DV and the efferent hepatic veins drained into a dilated ampullary area (the collectus venosus) that joined directly with the inferior cava. The length of the DV in baboons increased with gestational age ( r = 0.86, n = 16). In 4 baboon fetuses, we observed an asymmetrical muscular lip at the isthmic portion of the DV. The media of intrahepatic BPV contained more smooth muscle cells than the media of the DV. CONCLUSION: In nonhuman primate fetuses, the DV drains into a dilated ampullary area. An asymmetrical muscular lip forms a contractile element of the isthmic portion of the DV. The increased thickness of smooth muscle tissue in the DV isthmus and intrahepatic BPV in nonhuman primate fetuses support the concept of a general organization of a contractile apparatus that performs a sphincter-like function in the central venous hepatic system and plays a key role in blood flow redistribution.

Animals↗

The histologic and functional characterization of enzymatically dispersed intestinal mast cells of nonhuman primates: effects of secretagogues and anti-allergic drugs on histamine secretion.

Despite the apparent involvement of gastrointestinal mast cells in hypersensitivity reactions in the mucosa, remarkably little information is available concerning the characteristics of these cells from man and higher animals. To study the characteristics of gastrointestinal mast cells from nonhuman primates, a previously described technique which uses a combination of mechanical and enzymatic methods to obtain mast cells from the tissues of rodents required modification to permit the successful dispersion of normal gastrointestinal tissues of higher animals. This modified procedure, as described in this report, appears to be relatively selective for mast cells located in the mucosal site, and typically yields ca 9 X 10(5) mast cells per gram of tissue. The mucosal mast cells obtained comprised ca 2% of the total nucleated cells, contained approximately 1 pg of histamine per cell, and stained metachromatically with toluidine blue only at low pH. The cells exhibited a dose-dependent release of histamine on challenge with goat anti-human IgE or the ionophores A23187 and Br-x537A but were refractory to the action of compound 48/80. IgE-mediated histamine release from monkey intestinal mast cells differed from that observed from rat intestinal mast cells in that release was inhibited not only by quercetin but also by theophylline. Disodium cromoglycate gave variable results. The data indicate that viable nonhuman primate mucosal mast cells can be obtained for study, and that these cells, although sharing some characteristics of mucosal mast cells from lower species, have distinct and unique properties. The availability of this nonhuman primate model for the study of mast cell function in higher animals should contribute to the understanding of mast cell-mediated diseases in man.

Animals↗

Combination induction therapy with monoclonal antibodies specific for CD80, CD86, and CD154 in nonhuman primate renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Antibodies and fusion proteins specific for CD80, CD86, and CD154 have shown promise as agents capable of inducing donor-specific tolerance in rodents. These agents have also been shown to be synergistic with one another in many settings of counter-adaptive immunity. In the nonhuman primate, monoclonal antibodies specific for CD80 and CD86 have prolonged the time to rejection of renal allografts but have not resulted in tolerance. A monoclonal antibody specific for CD154 has resulted in markedly prolonged survival of kidney, islet, cardiac, and skin allografts, but again most animals have eventually developed rejection after prolonged periods of rejection-free survival off therapy. METHODS: A combination of monoclonal antibodies specific for CD80, CD86, and CD154 were used in a mismatched nonhuman primate renal-allograft model. Doses used were based on optimized treatment protocols for each agent individually. RESULTS: Treatment of four rhesus macaques with this combination yielded a mean rejection-free survival of 565 days (311-911 days), significantly greater than untreated controls (mean survival=7.0 days, P=0.001) and animals treated with only a combination of anti-CD80 and CD86 (mean survival=191 days, P=0.01). The survival of animals treated with this combination of monoclonal antibodies was not significantly greater than those treated with anti-CD154 alone, but the production of alloantibody was delayed compared with monotherapy anti-CD154. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that a synergy exists between these agents, particularly with regard to T-dependent B-cell responses, but that they fail to induce durable tolerance in nonhuman primates.

Animals↗

Nonhuman primates and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a union of necessity.

Because of the close phylogenetic relationship, nonhuman primates are highly susceptible to human pathogens, including infection of chimpanzees by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of AIDS. This, and the existence of a highly related simian virus, SIV, which causes an AIDS-like disease in macaques, emphasizes the continued importance of using nonhuman primates as model systems for identifying and developing prophylaxis and therapy for infectious agents and, in particular, for fighting the pandemic AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Serotonergic and dopaminergic aspects of neuroleptic-induced extrapyramidal syndromes in nonhuman primates.

Neuroleptic drug-induced acute extra-pyramidal syndromes are one of the major reasons why patients discontinue their antipsychotic medicines. The typical (e.g., haloperidol) neuroleptic drug produces acute extrapyramidal symptoms in the majority of patients, whereas the atypical (clozapine) neuroleptic produces only minimal motor system side effects. Serotonin S2 antagonists often reduce or prevent catalepsy in rodents, but the limited number of studies in nonhuman primates have produced conflicting results. The hypothesis of a high serotonin S2/dopamine D2 antagonism ratio as a mechanism underlying atypical neuroleptic effects in preventing acute extrapyramidal syndromes deserves further evaluation in nonhuman primate models because extrapyramidal symptoms in monkeys closely resemble those in patients. Cebus monkeys (22-28 years old) were tested with compounds that ranged from low to high S2/D2 antagonism ratios. These were haloperidol, fluphenazine, clopenthixol, melperone, tefludazine, setoperone, risperidone, and clozapine. A saline control was included with a wide dose range of each of these drugs that was tested in a once-weekly, blindly-scored random drug administration schedule. Dystonia was scored on four different symptoms by an experienced rater who was blind to drug dosage. All the compounds, with the exception of clozapine, produced clinically indistinguishable dose-related dystonia. The only difference was the dose at which dystonia appeared. In contrast to rodent studies, these nonhuman primate investigations with drugs, spanning a wide range of S2/D2 antagonism ratios, produced clinically similar extrapyramidal symptoms. Thus, adding an S2 antagonism component to neuroleptics does not appear to provide an explanation for the motor side effect profile of atypical neuroleptics, or a method for designing neuroleptic drugs that will be free of extrapyramidal symptoms.

Animals↗

[3H]Cholesteryl ester labeling and transfer among human and nonhuman primate plasma lipoproteins.

Aliquots of human and nonhuman primate plasma containing 5,5'-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) were incubated at 37 degrees C in tubes previously coated with trace amounts of tritium-labeled cholesteryl oleate ( [3H]CO). Initially, cholesteryl esters were transferred at a rapid rate into plasma after which the rate slowed. During 24 h of incubation, an average of 55% of the [3H]CO transferred from the side of the tube into African green monkey plasma, 44% into human plasma and 21% into rat plasma. Greater than 98% of the radioactive ester transferred into plasma was found to be associated with plasma lipoproteins that were then rapidly separated using vertical rotor density gradient ultracentrifugation. In very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-poor plasma after 30 min incubations, high density lipoproteins (HDL) contained most of the [3H]CO while 5- to 24-h incubations resulted in increased labeling of low density proteins (LDL). In VLDL-rich plasma, it was found that in addition to the labeling of HDL, VLDL contained about 25% of the labeled cholesteryl esters after 30-min incubations and, as above, the proportion in LDL subsequently increased. Compositional analyses showed that intermediate-sized LDL (ILDL) were accumulating cholesteryl ester mass while transfer occurred. LDL labeled using this method were injected intravenously into monkeys and their removal from plasma was found to be similar to that found for LDL labeled in vivo. It was concluded that this method of plasma lipoprotein cholesteryl ester labeling, presumably a result of cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity, was efficient, resulted in lipoproteins labeled only in the cholesteryl ester moiety, and induced minimal modification of lipoprotein particles that did not alter their biological activity.

Animals↗

Amphetamine sensitization of hallucinatory-like behaviors is dependent on prefrontal cortex in nonhuman primates.

BACKGROUND: Repeated amphetamine (AMPH) exposure in nonhuman primates produces a chronic state of monoamine dysregulation and long-lasting changes in behaviors elicited by acute AMPH (including tracking, grasping "at thin air," manipulating nonapparent stimuli, and hypervigilance) in a manner that bears a marked resemblance to symptoms of both amphetamine psychosis and paranoid schizophrenia. These abnormal responses have historically been referred to as psychotomimetic or hallucinatory-like. In contrast to negative symptoms and cognitive deficits, the positive symptoms of schizophrenia including hallucinations have not traditionally been linked to prefrontal dysfunction. METHODS: The dorsomedial (9/8B), dorsolateral (46/8A), and inferior (45/12) sectors of prefrontal cortex were lesioned, singly or in combination. Lesioned and nonlesioned control monkeys were sensitized over a 6-week period using an intermittent schedule of escalating low doses of AMPH. Behavioral responses to acute AMPH after chronic exposure were compared with preexposure responses. RESULTS: Bilateral lesions of prefrontal cortex performed before subchronic AMPH suppressed the sensitization of hallucinatory-like behaviors but markedly enhanced locomotor sensitization compared with control animals. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that the primate prefrontal cortex may be a substrate for the development of the full complement of behaviors elicited by AMPH sensitization, including hallucinatory-like behaviors.

Amphetamine↗

Stimulus similarity and order as factors in visual short-term memory in nonhuman primates.

The short-term retention of nonhuman primates for a single sample or for two successively presented samples was assessed in four delayed matching-to-sample experiments with delays of .03, 4, 8, 16, and 32 sec. The single sample tasks included one (Experiment 1) or two (Experiment 4) distractor stimuli in the choice set (matching test). In the two successive samples tasks, the animals matched (reconstructed) the order of presentation of two samples with (Experiment 3) and without (Experiment 2) a distractor stimulus. Also, the possible combinations of eight stimuli (four colors and four shapes) were arranged to test the effects of sample set and choice set similarity. Taken together, analyses of the errors indicated that both sample and choice set similarity were significant sources of confusions in delayed matching. Order errors occurred independently of similarity but were a source of forgetting primarily at the longest delays (16 and 32 sec). Two exceptions to the similarity effect (second response errors in Experiment 3 and errors of an inexperienced group in Experiment 4) were observed. Possible reasons for the exceptions and several implications of these findings for theories of short-term memory are discussed.

Animals↗

Phylogenesis and genetic complexity of the nonhuman primate retroviridae.

The three known groups of nonhuman primate retroviruses (simian immunodeficiency virus, simian T cell lymphotropic/leukemic virus type I, and simian foamy virus) are thought to have equivalent human counterparts. This is clearly the case with human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2, the causative agents of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and with human T cell lymphotropic/leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I), which causes T cell leukemia and a progressive form of myelopathy (tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-I-associated myelopathy), and HTLV-II. However, the presence of spumaviruses (foamy viruses) in humans remains uncertain. Data accumulated in the last 5 years suggest the possibility that the human retroviruses are indeed the result of transmission of simian retroviruses to humans. In this article we attempt to parallel the genetic features of the simian retroviridae with their human counterparts and argue for the possibility of horizontal transmission of these viruses from monkeys to humans.

Animals↗

Experimental biharzial bladder cancer: tryptophan metabolism in nonhuman primates experimentally infected with Schistosoma haematobium.

A nonhuman primate species infected with Schistosoma haematobium provided a model system for controlled studies on biharzial bladder cancer. Urinary excretion of tryptophan metabolites by capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) was similar to that of humans when expressed per g creatinine. Liver tryptophan oxygenase activity of the capuchin monkeys was comparable to that of humans. Excretion of 3-hydroxykynurenine and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid was elevated above control levels in capuchin monkeys infected experimentally with S. haematobium. The capuchin-S. haematobium system closely resembles the human biharziasis system and offers a reproducible laboratory model system for the controlled study of the parasitology, pathogenesis, and biochemistry of biharzial bladder cancer.

3-Hydroxyanthranilic Acid↗