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Biphasic Decay of Intact SHIV Genomes Following Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy Complicates Analysis of Interventions Targeting the Reservoir

Kumar et al., PNAS. 2023.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10614214/

The latent HIV-1 reservoir persists with antiretroviral therapy (ART), and assays for quantifying intact proviruses in nonhuman primate models are needed. Researchers used a simian–human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) intact proviral DNA assay to describe viral decay during the first year of ART in female rhesus macaques. Their results suggest that intact SHIV genomes in circulating CD4+ T cells undergo biphasic decay during the first year of ART, with a rapid first phase and a slower second phase. These findings can provide insight for future studies using SHIV models, as well as new cure interventions. Supported by ORIP (R01OD011095) and NIAID.

Infection of the Maternal–Fetal Interface and Vertical Transmission Following Low-Dose Inoculation of Pregnant Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) with an African-Lineage Zika Virus

Koenig et al., PLOS ONE. 2023.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284964

Researchers examined transmission of Zika virus to nonhuman primate fetuses during pregnancy. Even with a low dosage of inoculation of the dams, the investigators found that the Zika virus infected fetuses, despite the presence of a “placental fortress,” which normally protects fetuses during gestation. This transmission illustrates the high level of infectivity threat that Zika poses, which may increase if mosquitoes expand their global habitats. Understanding how Zika breaches the placental barrier will help researchers develop strategies to prevent fetal infection during pregnancy and thereby prevent adverse outcomes, such as brain malformation defects. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011106, S10OD023526), NIAID, NCI, and NIGMS.

Surrogate Biomarkers of Disease Progression in Human Pegivirus Seropositive Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Individuals

Vimali et al., Viral Immunology. 2023.

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/vim.2022.0144?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed

Researchers have previously observed that human pegivirus (HPgV) infection is associated with reduced progression of HIV. Investigators examined markers of HIV progression in male and female individuals with HIV and HPgV infection. They reported that HIV plasma viral load was lower in HPgV-seropositive individuals with HIV than in HPgV‑seronegative individuals with HIV. They also found that clinical markers of hepatic damage were significantly lower in HPgV-seropositive individuals with HIV. Future work could examine pathways through which HPgV influences HIV control, which might inform the development of new therapeutics. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011132) and NIAID.