scholarly journals Anti-α4β7 monoclonal antibody–conjugated nanoparticles block integrin α4β7 on intravaginal T cells in rhesus macaques

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (34) ◽  
pp. eabb9853
Author(s):  
Sidi Yang ◽  
Geraldine Arrode-Bruses ◽  
Ines Frank ◽  
Brooke Grasperge ◽  
James Blanchard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Single Dose ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Rhesus Macaque ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Vaginal Infection ◽  
Macaque Model ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Vaginal Tract

Intravenous administration of anti-α4β7 monoclonal antibody in macaques decreases simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) vaginal infection and reduces gut SIV loads. Because of potential side effects of systemic administration, a prophylactic strategy based on mucosal administration of anti-α4β7 antibody may be safer and more effective. With this in mind, we developed a novel intravaginal formulation consisting of anti-α4β7 monoclonal antibody–conjugated nanoparticles (NPs) loaded in a 1% hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) gel (NP-α4β7 gel). When intravaginally administered as a single dose in a rhesus macaque model, the formulation preferentially bound to CD4+ or CD3+ T cells expressing high levels of α4β7, and occupied ~40% of α4β7 expressed by these subsets and ~25% of all cells expressing α4β7. Blocking of the α4β7 was restricted to the vaginal tract without any changes detected systemically.

scholarly journals Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus SHIV.C.CH505 Persistence in ART-Suppressed Infant Macaques Is Characterized by Elevated SHIV RNA in the Gut and a High Abundance of Intact SHIV DNA in Naive CD4+ T Cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. e01669-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Obregon-Perko ◽  
Katherine M. Bricker ◽  
Gloria Mensah ◽  
Ferzan Uddin ◽  
Mithra R. Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Viral Dna ◽  
Virus Persistence ◽  
Macaque Model ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Infant Rhesus

ABSTRACTMother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) continues to cause new pediatric cases of infection through breastfeeding, a setting where it is not always possible to initiate early antiretroviral therapy (ART). Without novel interventions that do not rely on daily ART, HIV-1-infected children face lifelong medications to control infection. A detailed analysis of virus persistence following breast milk transmission of HIV-1 and ART has not been performed. Here, we used infant rhesus macaques orally infected with simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) (SHIV.C.CH505) to identify cellular and anatomical sites of virus persistence under ART. Viral DNA was detected at similar levels in blood and tissue CD4+ T cells after a year on ART, with virus in blood and lymphoid organs confirmed to be replication competent. Viral RNA/DNA ratios were elevated in rectal CD4+ T cells compared to those of other sites (P ≤ 0.0001), suggesting that the gastrointestinal tract is an active site of virus transcription during ART-mediated suppression of viremia. SHIV.C.CH505 DNA was detected in multiple CD4+ T cell subsets, including cells with a naive phenotype (CD45RA+ CCR7+ CD95–). While the frequency of naive cells harboring intact provirus was lower than in memory cells, the high abundance of naive cells in the infant CD4+ T cell pool made them a substantial source of persistent viral DNA (approximately 50% of the total CD4+ T cell reservoir), with an estimated 1:2 ratio of intact provirus to total viral DNA. This viral reservoir profile broadens our understanding of virus persistence in a relevant infant macaque model and provides insight into targets for cure-directed approaches in the pediatric population.IMPORTANCE Uncovering the sanctuaries of the long-lived HIV-1 reservoir is crucial to develop cure strategies. Pediatric immunity is distinct from that of adults, which may alter where the reservoir is established in infancy. Thus, it is important to utilize pediatric models to inform cure-directed approaches for HIV-1-infected children. We used an infant rhesus macaque model of HIV-1 infection via breastfeeding to identify key sites of viral persistence under antiretroviral therapy (ART). The gastrointestinal tract was found to be a site for low-level viral transcription during ART. We also show that naive CD4+ T cells harbored intact provirus and were a major contributor to blood and lymphoid reservoir size. This is particularly striking, as memory CD4+ T cells are generally regarded as the main source of latent HIV/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of adult humans and rhesus macaques. Our findings highlight unique features of reservoir composition in pediatric infection that should be considered for eradication efforts.

scholarly journals Perforin Expression in the Gastrointestinal Mucosa Is Limited to Acute Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (6) ◽  
pp. 3083-3087 ◽  
Author(s):  
Máire F. Quigley ◽  
Kristina Abel ◽  
Bartek Zuber ◽  
Christopher J. Miller ◽  
Johan K. Sandberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Simian Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Positive Response ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Gastrointestinal Mucosa ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Siv Infection ◽  
Perforin Expression ◽  
Important Site

ABSTRACT Perforin-mediated cytotoxicity is a major effector function of virus-specific CD8 T cells. We have investigated the expression of perforin in the gut, an important site of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) pathogenesis, during experimental SIV infection of rhesus macaques. We observed significant increases in perforin protein and mRNA expression levels in the colons of SIV-infected macaques as early as 21 days after infection. However, during chronic infection, despite ongoing viral replication, perforin expression returned to levels similar to those detected in SIV-naïve animals. These findings demonstrate the presence of a robust perforin-positive response in gastrointestinal CD8 T cells during acute, but not chronic, SIV infection.

scholarly journals Mamu-B*17+Rhesus Macaques Vaccinated withenv,vif, andnefManifest Early Control of SIVmac239 Replication

2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricio A. Martins ◽  
Damien C. Tully ◽  
Núria Pedreño-Lopez ◽  
Benjamin von Bredow ◽  
Matthias G. Pauthner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Virologic Suppression ◽  
Mhc I ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Siv Infection ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

ABSTRACTCertain major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) alleles are associated with spontaneous control of viral replication in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected people and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected rhesus macaques (RMs). These cases of “elite” control of HIV/SIV replication are often immune-mediated, thereby providing a framework for studying anti-lentiviral immunity. In this study, we examined how vaccination impacts SIV replication in RMs expressing the MHC-I alleleMamu-B*17. Approximately 21% ofMamu-B*17+and 50% ofMamu-B*08+RMs control chronic-phase viremia after SIVmac239 infection. Because CD8+T cells targeting Mamu-B*08-restricted SIV epitopes have been implicated in virologic suppression inMamu-B*08+RMs, we investigated whether this might also be true forMamu-B*17+RMs. Two groups ofMamu-B*17+RMs were vaccinated with genes encoding Mamu-B*17-restricted epitopes in Vif and Nef. These genes were delivered by themselves (group 1) or together withenv(group 2). Group 3 included MHC-I-matched RMs and served as the control group. Surprisingly, the group 1 vaccine regimen had little effect on viral replication compared to group 3, suggesting that unlikeMamu-B*08+RMs, preexisting SIV-specific CD8+T cells alone do not facilitate long-term virologic suppression inMamu-B*17+RMs. Remarkably, however, 5/8 group 2 vaccinees controlled viremia to <15 viral RNA copies/ml soon after infection. No serological neutralizing activity against SIVmac239 was detected in group 2, although vaccine-elicited gp140-binding antibodies correlated inversely with nadir viral loads. Collectively, these data shed new light on the unique mechanism of elite control inMamu-B*17+RMs and implicate vaccine-induced, nonneutralizing anti-Env antibodies in the containment of immunodeficiency virus infection.IMPORTANCEA better understanding of the immune correlates of protection against HIV might facilitate the development of a prophylactic vaccine. Therefore, we investigated simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection outcomes in rhesus macaques expressing the major histocompatibility complex class I alleleMamu-B*17. Approximately 21% ofMamu-B*17+macaques spontaneously controlled chronic phase viremia after SIV infection, an effect that may involve CD8+T cells targeting Mamu-B*17-restricted SIV epitopes. We vaccinatedMamu-B*17+macaques with genes encoding immunodominant epitopes in Vif and Nef alone (group 1) or together withenv(group 2). Although neither vaccine regimen prevented SIV infection, 5/8 group 2 vaccinees controlled viremia to below detection limits shortly after infection. This outcome, which was not observed in group 1, was associated with vaccine-induced, nonneutralizing Env-binding antibodies. Together, these findings suggest a limited contribution of Vif- and Nef-specific CD8+T cells for virologic control inMamu-B*17+macaques and implicate anti-Env antibodies in containment of SIV infection.

scholarly journals Infectious Virus Persists in CD4+T Cells and Macrophages in Antiretroviral Therapy-Suppressed Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Macaques

2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (15) ◽  
Author(s):  
Celina M. Abreu ◽  
Rebecca T. Veenhuis ◽  
Claudia R. Avalos ◽  
Shelby Graham ◽  
Suzanne E. Queen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Infectious Virus ◽  
Treatment Interruption ◽  
Viral Rebound ◽  
Hiv Cure ◽  
Macaque Model ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Latently Infected

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the cellular and anatomical sites of latent virus that contribute to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) rebound is essential for eradication. In HIV-positive patients, CD4+T lymphocytes comprise a well-defined functional latent reservoir, defined as cells containing transcriptionally silent genomes able to produce infectious virus once reactivated. However, the persistence of infectious latent virus in CD4+T cells in compartments other than blood and lymph nodes is unclear. Macrophages (Mϕ) are infected by HIV/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and are likely to carry latent viral genomes during antiretroviral therapy (ART), contributing to the reservoir. Currently, the gold standard assay used to measure reservoirs containing replication-competent virus is the quantitative viral outgrowth assay (QVOA). Using an SIV-macaque model, the CD4+T cell and Mϕ functional latent reservoirs were measured in various tissues using cell-specific QVOAs. Our results showed that blood, spleen, and lung in the majority of suppressed animals contain latently infected Mϕs. Surprisingly, the numbers of CD4+T cells, monocytes, and Mϕs carrying infectious genomes in blood and spleen were at comparable frequencies (∼1 infected cell per million). We also demonstrate thatex vivoviruses produced in the Mϕ QVOA are capable of infecting activated CD4+T cells. These results strongly suggest that latently infected tissue Mϕs can reestablish productive infection upon treatment interruption. This study provides the first comparison of CD4+T cell and Mϕ functional reservoirs in a macaque model. It is the first confirmation of the persistence of latent genomes in monocytes in blood and Mϕs in the spleen and lung of SIV-infected ART-suppressed macaques. Our results demonstrate that transcriptionally silent genomes in Mϕs can contribute to viral rebound after ART interruption and should be considered in future HIV cure strategies.IMPORTANCEThis study suggests that CD4+T cells found throughout tissues in the body can contain replication-competent SIV and contribute to rebound of the virus after treatment interruption. In addition, this study demonstrates that macrophages in tissues are another cellular reservoir for SIV and may contribute to viral rebound after treatment interruption. This new insight into the size and location of the SIV reservoir could have great implications for HIV-infected individuals and should be taken into consideration for the development of future HIV cure strategies.

scholarly journals African Green Monkey TRIM5α Restriction in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Specific Rhesus Macaque Effector CD4 T Cells Enhances Their Survival and Antiviral Function

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (8) ◽  
pp. 4449-4456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumiti Jain ◽  
Matthew T. Trivett ◽  
Victor I. Ayala ◽  
Claes Ohlen ◽  
David E. Ott
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Rhesus Macaque ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cell ◽  
T Cell Clones ◽  
Cell Clones ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Antiviral Function

ABSTRACTThe expression of xenogeneic TRIM5α proteins can restrict infection in various retrovirus/host cell pairings. Previously, we have shown that African green monkey TRIM5α (AgmTRIM5α) potently restricts both human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and simian immunodeficiency virus mac239 (SIVmac239) replication in a transformed human T-cell line (L. V. Coren, et al., Retrovirology 12:11, 2015,http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12977-015-0137-9). To assess AgmTRIM5α restriction in primary cells, we transduced AgmTRIM5α into primary rhesus macaque CD4 T cells and infected them with SIVmac239. Experiments with T-cell clones revealed that AgmTRIM5α could reproducibly restrict SIVmac239replication, and that this restriction synergizes with an intrinsic resistance to infection present in some CD4 T-cell clones. AgmTRIM5α transduction of virus-specific CD4 T-cell clones increased and prolonged their ability to suppress SIV spread in CD4 target cells. This increased antiviral function was strongly linked to decreased viral replication in the AgmTRIM5α-expressing effectors, consistent with restriction preventing the virus-induced cytopathogenicity that disables effector function. Taken together, our data show that AgmTRIM5α restriction, although not absolute, reduces SIV replication in primary rhesus CD4 T cells which, in turn, increases their antiviral function. These results support priorin vivodata indicating that the contribution of virus-specific CD4 T-cell effectors to viral control is limited due to infection.IMPORTANCEThe potential of effector CD4 T cells to immunologically modulate SIV/HIV infection likely is limited by their susceptibility to infection and subsequent inactivation or elimination. Here, we show that AgmTRIM5α expression inhibits SIV spread in primary effector CD4 T cellsin vitro. Importantly, protection of effector CD4 T cells by AgmTRIM5α markedly enhanced their antiviral function by delaying SIV infection, thereby extending their viability despite the presence of virus. Ourin vitrodata support priorin vivoHIV-1 studies suggesting that the antiviral CD4 effector response is impaired due to infection and subsequent cytopathogenicity. The ability of AgmTRIM5α expression to restrict SIV infection in primary rhesus effector CD4 T cells now opens an opportunity to use the SIV/rhesus macaque model to further elucidate the potential and scope of anti-AIDS virus effector CD4 T-cell function.

scholarly journals Combination of CD8β Depletion and Interleukin-15 Superagonist N-803 Induces Virus Reactivation in Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected, Long-Term ART-Treated Rhesus Macaques

2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (19) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia B. McBrien ◽  
Andrew K. H. Wong ◽  
Erick White ◽  
Diane G. Carnathan ◽  
John H. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Plasma Viremia ◽  
Virus Reactivation ◽  
Hiv Cure ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Shock And Kill ◽  
Interleukin 15

ABSTRACT The “shock and kill” strategy predicates that virus reactivation in latently infected cells is required to eliminate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reservoir. In a recent study, we showed robust and persistent induction of plasma viremia in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated simian immunodeficiency virus-infected rhesus macaques (RMs) undergoing CD8α depletion and treated with the interleukin-15 (IL-15) superagonist N-803 (J. B. McBrien et al., Nature 578:154–159, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-1946-0). Of note, in that study we used an antibody targeting CD8α, thereby depleting NK cells, NKT cells, and γδ T cells, in addition to CD8+ T cells. In the current proof-of-concept study, we tested whether virus reactivation can be induced by administration of N-803 to simian-human chimeric immunodeficiency virus-infected, ART-treated RMs that are selectively depleted of CD8+ T cells via the CD8β-targeting antibody CD8b255R1. CD8β depletion was performed in five SHIVSF162P3-infected RMs treated with ART for 12 months and with plasma viremia consistently below 3 copies/ml. All animals received four weekly doses of N-803 starting at the time of CD8b255R1 administration. The induction of detectable plasma viremia was observed in three out of five RMs, with the level of virus reactivation seemingly correlated with the frequency of CD8+ T cells following CD8β depletion as well as the level of virus reactivation observed when the same animals underwent CD8α depletion and N-803 administration after 24 weeks of ART. These data indicate that CD8β depletion and N-803 administration can induce virus reactivation in SHIVSF162P3-infected RMs despite suboptimal depletion of CD8+ T cells and profound ART-induced suppression of virus replication, confirming a critical role for these cells in suppressing virus production and/or reactivation in vivo under ART. IMPORTANCE The “shock and kill” HIV cure strategy attempts to reverse and eliminate the latent viral infection that prevents eradication of the virus. Latency-reversing agents tested in clinical trials to date have failed to affect the HIV viral reservoir. IL-15 superagonist N-803, currently involved in a clinical trial for HIV cure, was recently shown by our laboratory to induce robust and persistent induction of plasma viremia during ART in three in vivo animal models of HIV infection. These results suggest a substantial role for CD8+ lymphocytes in suppressing the latency reversal effect of N-803 by promoting the maintenance of viral latency. In this study, we tested whether the use of a CD8β-targeting antibody, which would specifically deplete CD8+ T cells, would yield similar levels of virus reactivation. We observed the induction of plasma viremia, which correlated with the efficacy of the CD8 depletion strategy.

scholarly journals Antiviral Antibodies and T Cells Are Present in the Foreskin of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Rhesus Macaques

2012 ◽  
Vol 86 (13) ◽  
pp. 7098-7106 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Rothaeusler ◽  
Z.-M. Ma ◽  
H. Qureshi ◽  
T. D. Carroll ◽  
T. Rourke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Simian Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus

scholarly journals Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVagm Efficiently Utilizes Non-CCR5 Entry Pathways in African Green Monkey Lymphocytes: Potential Role for GPR15 and CXCR6 as Viral Coreceptors

2015 ◽  
Vol 90 (5) ◽  
pp. 2316-2331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadeene E. Riddick ◽  
Fan Wu ◽  
Kenta Matsuda ◽  
Sonya Whitted ◽  
Ilnour Ourmanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Sooty Mangabeys ◽  
Natural Hosts

ABSTRACTAfrican green monkeys (AGM) are natural hosts of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), and infection in these animals is generally nonpathogenic, whereas infection of nonnatural hosts, such as rhesus macaques (RM), is commonly pathogenic. CCR5 has been described as the primary entry coreceptor for SIVin vivo, while human-derived CXCR6 and GPR15 also appear to be usedin vitro. However, sooty mangabeys that are genetically deficient in CCR5 due to an out-of-frame deletion are infectible with SIVsmm, indicating that SIVsmm can use alternative coreceptorsin vivo. In this study, we examined the CCR5 dependence of SIV strains derived from vervet AGM (SIVagmVer) and the ability of AGM-derived GPR15 and CXCR6 to serve as potential entry coreceptors. We found that SIVagmVer replicated efficiently in AGM and RM peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in the presence of the CCR5 antagonist maraviroc, despite the fact that maraviroc was capable of blocking the CCR5-tropic strains SIVmac239, SIVsmE543-3, and simian-human immunodeficiency virus SHIV-AD8 in RM PBMC. We also found that AGM CXCR6 and AGM GPR15, to a lesser extent, supported entry of pseudotype viruses bearing SIVagm envelopes, including SIVagm transmitted/founder envelopes. Lastly, we found that CCR5, GPR15, and CXCR6 mRNAs were detected in AGM and RM memory CD4+T cells. These results suggest that GPR15 and CXCR6 are expressed on AGM CD4+T cells and are potential alternative coreceptors for SIVagm usein vivo. These data suggest that the use of non-CCR5 entry pathways may be a common feature of SIV replication in natural host species, with the potential to contribute to nonpathogenicity in these animals.IMPORTANCEAfrican green monkeys (AGM) are natural hosts of SIV, and infection in these animals generally does not cause AIDS, whereas SIV-infected rhesus macaques (RM) typically develop AIDS. Although it has been reported that SIV generally uses CD4 and CCR5 to enter target cellsin vivo, other molecules, such as GPR15 and CXCR6, also function as SIV coreceptorsin vitro. In this study, we investigated whether SIV from vervet AGM can use non-CCR5 entry pathways, as has been observed in sooty mangabeys. We found that SIVagmVer efficiently replicated in AGM and RM peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the presence of the CCR5 antagonist maraviroc, suggesting that non-CCR5 entry pathways can support SIVagm entry. We found that AGM-derived GPR15 and CXCR6 support SIVagmVer entryin vitroand may serve as entry coreceptors for SIVagmin vivo, since their mRNAs were detected in AGM memory CD4+T cells, the preferred target cells of SIV.

scholarly journals Route of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Inoculation Determines the Complexity but Not the Identity of Viral Variant Populations That Infect Rhesus Macaques

2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (8) ◽  
pp. 3753-3765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Greenier ◽  
Christopher J. Miller ◽  
Ding Lu ◽  
Peter J. Dailey ◽  
Fabien X. Lü ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rhesus Macaque ◽  
Simian Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Envelope Gene ◽  
Homogeneous Population ◽  
Viral Variant ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus

ABSTRACT A better understanding of the host and viral factors associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission is essential to developing effective strategies to curb the global HIV epidemic. Here we used the rhesus macaque-simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) animal model of HIV infection to study the range of viral genotypes that are transmitted by different routes of inoculation and by different types of viral inocula. Analysis of transmitted variants was undertaken in outbred rhesus macaques inoculated intravenously (IV) or intravaginally (IVAG) with a genetically heterogeneous SIVmac251 stock derived from a well-characterized rhesus macaque viral isolate. In addition, we performed serial IV and IVAG passage experiments using plasma from SIV-infected macaques as the inoculum. We analyzed the V1-V2 region of the SIV envelope gene from virion-associated RNA in plasma from infected animals by the heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) and by DNA sequence analysis. We found that a more diverse population of SIV genetic variants was present in the earliest virus-positive plasma samples from all five IV SIVmac251-inoculated monkeys and from two of five IVAG SIVmac251-inoculated monkeys. In contrast, we found a relatively homogeneous population of SIV envelope variants in three of five monkeys inoculated IVAG with SIVmac251 stock and in two monkeys infected after IVAG inoculation with plasma from an SIV-infected animal. In some IVAG-inoculated animals, the transmitted SIV variant was the most common variant in the inoculum. However, a specific viral variant in the SIVmac251 stock was not consistently transmitted by IVAG inoculation. Thus, it is likely that host factors or stochastic processes determine the specific viral variants that infect an animal after IVAG SIV exposure. In addition, our results clearly demonstrate that the route of inoculation is associated with the extent and breadth of the genetic complexity of the viral variant population in the earliest stages of systemic infection.

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