SIVgor has the capacity of zoonotic transmission and subsequent spread between humans

doi:10.19871/j.cnki.xfcrbzz.2023.03.001

Abstract

Abstract: Objective Western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are the natural hosts of simian immunodeficiency virus_gorilla (SIVgor). The primary objective of our study is to determine whether SIVgor is capable of being transmitted to and replicating in humans. Method Human hematopoietic stem cells were transplanted into immune-deficient mice via tail veil dose to make the humanized mice reconstituted with a complete human hematopoietic system. Through determining HIV viral loads and CD4⁺T cell levels in humanized mice, the capacity of SIVgor to be transmitted after intravenous and mucosal exposure, to replicate in vivo and to kill CD4⁺T cells were evaluated. Result After intravenous exposure, SIVgor replicated very efficiently in humanized mice reaching viral loads comparable to HIV infected humans. In addition, humanized mice were susceptible to SIVgor infection after mucosal exposure. Both rectal and vaginal inoculation led to disseminated infection. However, despite high levels of virus replication these infections resulted in only a modest reduction in the levels of human CD4⁺T cells in the peripheral blood of humanized mice. However, effects of SIVgor infection on human CD4⁺T cells in other tissues except blood via three exposure routes were slightly different: CD4⁺T cells in the vagina decreased significantly after vaginal exposure while those in other tissues were preserved; after venous and rectal exposure human CD4⁺T cells in all the studied tissues were rarely affected. Conclusion SIVgor was able to infect humanized mice via both intravenous and mucosal routes and then replicate efficiently in the infected animals. Selective cytotoxicity for CD4⁺T cells in mucosal associated lymphoid tissues recapitulated HIV-1 infection of humans. Since humans are still exposed to SIVs from bushmeat, new zoonoses are likely to occur. Therefore, it is critical to establish model systems that can evaluate present and future dangers.

Key words: Simian immunodeficiency virus_gorillas, Human immunodeficiency virus, CD4⁺T cells, Humanized mice

CLC Number:

R511

Zou Wei, Wu Xiaoping, Chen Xinping, Liu Li, Zou Shijie, John Foster, J. Victor Garcia. SIVgor has the capacity of zoonotic transmission and subsequent spread between humans[J]. Electronic Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2023, 8(3): 1-6.

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