Hematopoietic stem cell-engrafted NOD/SCID/IL2Rgamma null mice develop human lymphoid systems and induce long-lasting HIV-1 infection with specific humoral immune responses

Blood. 2007 Jan 1;109(1):212-8. doi: 10.1182/blood-2006-04-017681. Epub 2006 Sep 5.

Abstract

Critical to the development of an effective HIV/AIDS model is the production of an animal model that reproduces long-lasting active replication of HIV-1 followed by elicitation of virus-specific immune responses. In this study, we constructed humanized nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID)/interleukin-2 receptor gamma-chain knockout (IL2Rgamma(null)) (hNOG) mice by transplanting human cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem cells that eventually developed into human B cells, T cells, and other monocytes/macrophages and 4 dendritic cells associated with the generation of lymphoid follicle-like structures in lymphoid tissues. Expressions of CXCR4 and CCR5 antigens were recognized on CD4+ cells in peripheral blood, the spleen, and bone marrow, while CCR5 was not detected on thymic CD4+ T cells. The hNOG mice showed marked, long-lasting viremia after infection with both CCR5- and CXCR4-tropic HIV-1 isolates for more than the 40 days examined, with R5 virus-infected animals showing high levels of HIV-DNA copies in the spleen and bone marrow, and X4 virus-infected animals showing high levels of HIV-DNA copies in the thymus and spleen. Furthermore, we detected both anti-HIV-1 Env gp120- and Gag p24-specific antibodies in animals showing a high rate of viral infection. Thus, the hNOG mice mirror human systemic HIV infection by developing specific antibodies, suggesting that they may have potential as an HIV/AIDS animal model for the study of HIV pathogenesis and immune responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Bone Marrow / virology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Cell Lineage
  • Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Female
  • HIV Antibodies / biosynthesis*
  • HIV Antibodies / blood
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit / deficiency
  • Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit / genetics
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / pathology
  • Lymphoid Tissue / pathology*
  • Lymphoid Tissue / virology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, SCID
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / analysis
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / genetics
  • Receptors, CXCR5
  • Receptors, Chemokine / analysis
  • Receptors, Chemokine / genetics
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Spleen / virology
  • Thymus Gland / pathology
  • Thymus Gland / virology
  • Transplantation, Heterologous
  • Viremia / immunology*

Substances

  • CXCR5 protein, human
  • DNA, Viral
  • HIV Antibodies
  • Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • Receptors, CXCR5
  • Receptors, Chemokine