Small intestine CD4+ T cells are profoundly depleted during acute simian-human immunodeficiency virus infection, regardless of viral pathogenicity

J Virol. 2008 Jun;82(12):6039-44. doi: 10.1128/JVI.02753-07. Epub 2008 Apr 9.

Abstract

To analyze the relationship between acute virus-induced injury and the subsequent disease phenotype, we compared the virus replication and CD4(+) T-cell profiles for monkeys infected with isogenic highly pathogenic (KS661) and moderately pathogenic (#64) simian-human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIVs). Intrarectal infusion of SHIV-KS661 resulted in rapid, systemic, and massive virus replication, while SHIV-#64 replicated more slowly and reached lower titers. Whereas KS661 systemically depleted CD4(+) T cells, #64 caused significant CD4(+) T-cell depletion only in the small intestine. We conclude that SHIV, regardless of pathogenicity, can cause injury to the small intestine and leads to CD4(+) T-cell depletion in infected animals during acute infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • HIV Antibodies / blood
  • HIV Infections / etiology
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / pathogenicity*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Intestinal Mucosa / cytology*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / immunology
  • Intestine, Small / cytology*
  • Intestine, Small / immunology
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Proviruses / isolation & purification
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Random Allocation
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / etiology
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / virology
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / pathogenicity*
  • Viral Load
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • HIV Antibodies
  • RNA, Viral