Generation of HIV latency in humanized BLT mice

J Virol. 2012 Jan;86(1):630-4. doi: 10.1128/JVI.06120-11. Epub 2011 Oct 19.

Abstract

Here we demonstrate that a combination of tenofovir, emtricitabine, and raltegravir effectively suppresses peripheral and systemic HIV replication in humanized BLT mice. We also demonstrate that antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated humanized BLT mice harbor latently infected resting human CD4+ T cells that can be induced ex vivo to produce HIV. We observed that the levels of infected resting human CD4+ T cells present in BLT mice are within the range of those observed circulating in patients undergoing suppressive ART. These results demonstrate the potential of humanized BLT mice as an attractive model for testing the in vivo efficacy of novel HIV eradication strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • HIV / drug effects
  • HIV / genetics
  • HIV / physiology*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Virus Latency* / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents