Radioimmunoassay of mammalian type C viral proteins. 3. Detection of viral antigen in normal murine cells and tissues.

A radioimmunoassay specific for a murine leukemia virus structural protein, the gs antigen, detects an antigenic reactivity in normal murine cells in culture and natural tissues. The assay was shown to measure an antigen that is highly related to the virion protein as shown by absorption tests, immunoadsorbent chromatography, and by analysis of linearized dose-response curves. These findings combined with the finding of viral-specific RNA indicate that portions of the viral genome are being expressed with a much greater frequency than previously appreciated.

Evolution of type C viral genes: origin of feline leukemia virus.

Reiterated gene sequences related to the RNA of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are detected in all tissues of domestic cats and their close Felis relatives but not in more distantly related Felis species. Partially homologous viral gene sequences are found in rodent, and particularly rat, DNA. Together with the immunologic relationships observed between FeLV and endogenous rodent type C viruses, the results lead to the conclusion that FeLV-related genes were transmitted from a rodent to cat ancestor and have been perpetuated in the germ line of cats.

Isolation and characterization of a novel protein (X-ORF product) from SIV and HIV-2.

A protein designated p14 was purified from a simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVMne) and was shown by amino acid sequence analysis to be nearly identical to the predicted translational product of a unique open reading frame (X-ORF) in the nucleotide sequences of SIVmac and human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2). Thus the X-ORF is proven to be a new retroviral gene. The p14 is present in SIVMne in molar amounts equivalent to those of the gag proteins. This is the first example of a retrovirus that contains a substantial quantity of a viral protein that is not a product of the gag, pro, pol, or env genes. SIV p14 and its homolog in HIV-2 may function as nucleic acid binding proteins since purified p14 binds to single-stranded nucleic acids in vitro. Antisera to the purified protein detected p14 in SIVMne, SIVmac, and a homologous protein (16 kilodaltons) in HIV-2 but did not react with HIV-1. Diagnostic procedures based on this novel protein will distinguish between HIV-1 and HIV-2.

Mammalian cells in culture frequently release type C viruses.

Cell cultures commonly used in animal cell research, both cell strains and continuous cell lines from various mammalian species, spontaneously produce type C RNA viruses.

Protection of macaques against SIV infection by subunit vaccines of SIV envelope glycoprotein gp160.

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) is a primate lentivirus related to human immunodeficiency viruses and is an etiologic agent for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-like diseases in macaques. To date, only inactivated whole virus vaccines have been shown to protect macaques against SIV infection. Protective immunity was elicited by recombinant subunit vaccines. Four Macaca fascicularis were immunized with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing SIVmne gp160 and were boosted with gp160 produced in baculovirus-infected cells. All four animals were protected against an intravenous challenge of the homologous virus at one to nine animal-infectious doses. These results indicate that immunization with viral envelope antigens alone is sufficient to elicit protective immunity against a primate immunodeficiency virus. The combination immunization regimen, similar to one now being evaluated in humans as candidate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 vaccines, appears to be an effective way to elicit such immune responses.

Cellular proteins bound to immunodeficiency viruses: implications for pathogenesis and vaccines.

Cellular proteins associated with immunodeficiency viruses were identified by determination of the amino acid sequence of the proteins and peptides present in sucrose density gradient-purified human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1, HIV-2, and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2m) and the alpha and beta chains of human lymphocyte antigen (HLA) DR were present in virus preparations at one-fifth the concentration of Gag on a molar basis. Antisera to HLA DR, beta 2 m, as well as HLA class I precipitated intact viral particles, suggesting that these cellular proteins were physically associated with the surface of the virus. Antisera to class I, beta 2m, and HLA DR also inhibited infection of cultured cells by both HIV-1 and SIV. The specific, selective association of these cellular proteins in a physiologically relevant manner has major implications for our understanding of the infection process and the pathogenesis of immunodeficiency viruses and should be considered in the design of vaccines.

Prevention of SIV infection in macaques by (R)-9-(2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine.

The efficacy of pre- and postexposure treatment with the antiviral compound (R)-9-(2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine (PMPA) was tested against simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in macaques as a model for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). PMPA was administered subcutaneously once daily beginning either 48 hours before, 4 hours after, or 24 hours after virus inoculation. Treatment continued for 4 weeks and the virologic, immunologic, and clinical status of the macaques was monitored for up to 56 weeks. PMPA prevented SIV infection in all macaques without toxicity, whereas all control macaques became infected. These results suggest a potential role for PMPA prophylaxis against early HIV infection in cases of known exposure.

Characterization of exogenous type D retrovirus from a fibroma of a macaque with simian AIDS and fibromatosis.

A novel type D retrovirus was isolated by cocultivation of explants of fibromatous tissue from a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) with immunodeficiency and retroperitoneal fibromatosis. This type D virus, isolated from a macaque with simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS-D/Washington), is exogenous and is partially related to the Mason-Pfizer and the langur monkey type D viruses. The SAiDS-D virus can be distinguished from all other primate retroviruses by antigenicity and molecular hybridization. Nucleic acid hybridization studies reveal that the origin of the SAIDS-D isolate may reside in Old World monkey (subfamily Colobinae) cellular DNA.

T-cell proliferation to subinfectious SIV correlates with lack of infection after challenge of macaques.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze correlates of protection in macaques exposed to SIV. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from macaques inoculated intrarectally with various dilutions of SIV were examined for their in vitro proliferative response to SIV envelope peptides and generation of SIV-specific antibodies. Some macaques previously exposed intravenously to subinfectious doses of SIV were subsequently challenged 16 months later with an infectious intrarectal dose of SIV. RESULTS: The viral-specific immune responses of macaques exposed to infectious doses of SIV were characterized by generation of antibodies and weak or undetectable T-cell-mediated responses. In contrast, macaques inoculated with doses of SIV below the threshold required for seroconversion and recovery of virus exhibited T-cell proliferation in response to SIV envelope synthetic peptides. The macaques that had previously been exposed to SIV resisted the subsequent virus challenge, whereas the naive macaques (never exposed to SIV) all became infected. CONCLUSIONS: The inability to productively infect macaques previously exposed to subinfectious doses of SIV suggests that a T-cell-mediated response may confer long-term protection against infection, and that AIDS vaccines should be designed to optimize the cellular arm of the immune response.

Effect of dosing frequency on ZDV prophylaxis in macaques infected with simian immunodeficiency virus.

The effect of dosing frequency on zidovudine (ZDV) prophylaxis against simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection was examined in long-tailed macaque monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). The results indicate that dosing frequency is extremely important for drug efficacy. The monkeys were divided into three groups based on dosing frequencies of 6-, 8-, or 12-h intervals. All were given a total daily dose of 100 mg/kg of ZDV. The drug was administered subcutaneously starting 24 h before SIV inoculation, and treatment continued for an additional 28 days. With the total daily dose held constant, ZDV was most therapeutic when administered at 12-h intervals, less effective at 8-h intervals, and least effective at 6-h intervals. These results indicate that early ZDV treatment based on infrequent but high dosages may increase the antiretroviral effect of the drug. These findings could serve as a model for ZDV chemoprophylaxis in humans. In cases involving accidental exposure to SIV or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1 or HIV-2), immediate, high-dosage therapies may be most therapeutic.

Recombinant subunit vaccines as an approach to study correlates of protection against primate lentivirus infection.

Using pathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of macaques as a model, we explored the limits of the protective immunity elicited by recombinant subunit vaccines and examined factors that affect their efficacy. Envelope gp 160 vaccines, when used in a live recombinant virus-priming and subunit-protein-boosting regimen, protected macaques against a low-dose, intravenous infection by a cloned homologous virus SIVmne E11S. The same regimen was also effective against intrarectal challenge by the same virus and against intravenous challenge by E11S grown on primary macaque peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). However, only limited protection was observed against uncloned SIVmne. Priming with live recombinant virus was more effective than immunization with subunit gp 160 alone, indicating a potential advantage of native antigen presentation and the possible role of cell-mediated immunity in protection. Whole gp 160 was more effective than the surface antigen (gp 130), even though both antigens elicited similar levels of neutralizing antibodies. Animals immunized with the core (gag-pol) antigens failed to generate any neutralizing antibody and were all infected following challenge. However, their proviral load was 10-100-fold lower than that of the control animals, indicating that immune mechanisms such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) may play a role. Finally, animals immunized with both the core and the envelope antigens generated significant protective immunity, even with relatively low neutralizing antibodies. Taken together, these results indicate that multiple mechanisms may contribute to protection. It may therefore be advantageous to incorporate multiple antigens in the design of recombinant subunit vaccines against acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Protection from pathogenic SIV challenge using multigenic DNA vaccines.

To assess DNA immunization as a strategy for protecting against HIV infection in humans, we utilized SIVmne infection of Macaca fascicularis as a vaccine challenge model with moderate pathogenic potential. We compared the efficacy of DNA immunization alone and in combination with subunit protein boosts. All of the structural and regulatory genes of SIVmne clone 8 were cloned into mammalian expression vectors under the control of the CMV IE-1 promoter. Eight M. fascicularis were immunized twice with 3 mg of plasmid DNA divided between two sites; intramuscular and intradermal. Four primed macaques received a further two DNA immunizations at weeks 16-36, while the second group of four were boosted with 250 microg recombinant gp160 plus 250 microg recombinant Gag-Pol particles formulated in MF-59 adjuvant. Half of the controls received four immunizations of vector DNA; half received two vector DNA and two adjuvant immunizations. As expected, humoral immune responses were stronger in the macaques receiving subunit boosts, but responses were sustained in both groups. Significant neutralizing antibody titers to SIVmne were detected in one of the subunit-boosted animals and in none of the DNA-only animals prior to challenge. T-cell proliferative responses to gp160 and to Gag were detected in all immunized animals after three immunizations, and these responses increased after four immunizations. Cytokine profiles in PHA-stimulated PBMC taken on the day of challenge showed trends toward Thl responses in 2/4 macaques in the DNA vaccinated group and in 1/4 of the DNA plus subunit vaccinated macaques; Th2 responses in 3/4 DNA plus subunit-immunized macaques; and Th0 responses in 4/4 controls. In bulk CTL culture, SIV specific lysis was low or undetectable, even after four immunizations. However, stable SIV Gag-Pol- and env-specific T-cell clones (CD3+ CD8+) were isolated after only two DNA immunizations, and Gag-Pol- and Nef-specific CTL lines were isolated on the day of challenge. All animals were challenged at week 38 with SIVmne uncloned stock by the intrarectal route. Based on antibody anamnestic responses (western, ELISA, and neutralizing antibodies) and virus detection methods (co-culture of PBMC and LNMC, nested set PCR- of DNA from PBMC and LNMC, and plasma QC-PCR), there were major differences between the groups in the challenge outcome. Surprisingly, sustained low virus loads were observed only in the DNA group, suggesting that four immunizations with DNA only elicited more effective immune responses than two DNA primes combined with two protein boosts. Multigenic DNA vaccines such as these, bearing all structural and regulatory genes, show significant promise and may be a safe alternative to live-attenuated vaccines.

Antiviral effects of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine, 2',3'-dideoxycytidine, and 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine against simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated type D retrovirus in vitro.

The simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS) in macaques at the Washington Regional Primate Research Center is associated with a type D retrovirus known as SAIDS-D/WA. We tested the ability of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT), 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC), and 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine (ddA) to inhibit the in vitro cytopathic effect (syncytium formation) and infectivity of the SAIDS-D/WA virus. Raji cell cultures were infected with virus and treated with various concentrations of AZT, ddC, and ddA. The ability of these drugs to inhibit replication of the SAIDS-D/WA virus in Raji cells was monitored by syncytium formation, expression of viral antigen, and reverse transcriptase assay. At concentrations of 4, 40, and 400 microM, AZT completely blocked the viral infectivity and inhibited the cytopathic effect of SAIDS-D/WA. Likewise, ddC was inhibitory at concentrations of 5 and 50 microM and ddA was inhibitory at 100 and 200 microM. AZT, ddC, and ddA became cytostatic to Raji cells with increasing drug concentrations. AZT also partially inhibited SAIDS-D/WA replication in previously infected Raji cell cultures, and viral inhibition increased in response to the concentration of AZT. These data indicate that AZT, ddC, and ddA are effective antiretroviral agents that merit further evaluation, including clinical trials, in animal models with AIDS-like diseases.

Antibody recognition of SIVmac envelope peptides in plasma from macaques experimentally infected with SIV/Mne.

Four stretches of amino acid sequences encoded in conserved HIV-1 env domains and four parallel regions of the SIVmac env (two from gp120 and two from gp41/p32E) were fused to the NH2 terminus of beta-galactosidase by recombinant DNA techniques and used to analyze sera from three macaque species experimentally infected with SIV/Mne. All SIVmac env sequences were recognized by sera from the SIV/Mne-inoculated macaques. Western blot analysis performed with whole SIV/Mne, SIVmac, SIVagm, and HIV-1 antigens and sera from SIV/Mne-infected macaques also demonstrates that SIV/Mne is immunologically more closely related to SIVmac than to SIVagm or to HIV-1. Antibody levels to the gp120 NH2-terminal SIV-88 epitope appear to decrease in the infected Macaca nemestrina with progression of disease, as was also reported for the parallel HIV-1 epitope in HIV-1-infected individuals. Sera from all infected macaques reacted with the p32E-SIV-582 epitope (EKYLEDQAQLNAWGCAFRQVC). High titers to this immunodominant epitope could be detected at least 9 weeks postinfection and at a time when primarily the p28 and p32E antibodies were detectable in Western blots performed with whole disrupted SIV/Mne virus. In the majority of animals, antibody titers of 1:100,000 to SIV-582 develop during the infection and persist until death. Antibody responses to the SIV env epitopes in SIV/Mne-infected macaques thus resemble in many aspects (prevalence and immunogenicity) those observed previously for the corresponding HIV-1 env epitopes in HIV-1-infected humans.

Chemical inactivation of retroviral infectivity by targeting nucleocapsid protein zinc fingers: a candidate SIV vaccine.

Although most viral vaccines used in humans have been composed of live attenuated viruses or whole killed viral particles, the latter approach has received little attention in research on experimental primate immunodeficiency virus vaccines. Inactivation procedures involving heat or formalin appear to adversely affect the viral envelope proteins. Recently we have inactivated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) with the compound 2,2'-dithiodipyridine (Aldrithiol-2, Aldrich, Milwaukee, WI), which inactivates infectivity of retroviruses by covalently modifying the nucleocapsid zinc finger motifs. HIV-1 inactivated with Aldrithiol-2 retained the conformational and functional integrity of the viral and virion-associated cellular proteins on the viral membrane. We have extended our studies of zinc finger targeted inactivation to simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and evaluated the feasibility of applying the procedures to large scale (>30 l) production and purification of the primate immunodeficiency viruses. There was no detectable residual infectivity of SIV after treatment with 1 mM Aldrithiol-2 (>5 logs inactivation). Treatment with Aldrithiol-2 resulted in extensive reaction with the nucleocapsid protein of treated virus, as shown by immunoblot and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. As expected, the virion gp120SU appeared to be completely unreactive with Aldrithiol-2. Sucrose gradient purification and concentration procedures resulted in little loss of viral infectivity or virion-associated gp120SU. When tested in a gp120-CD4 dependent cell binding assay, the inactivated virus bound to cells comparably to the untreated virus. Analysis of gp120-CD4 mediated postbinding fusion events showed that the inactivated virus could induce CD4-dependent fusion with efficiencies similar to the untreated virus. Inactivation and processing of primate immunodeficiency viruses by methods described here results in highly concentrated virus preparations that retain their envelope proteins in a native configuration. These inactivated virus preparations should be useful in whole killed-particle vaccine experiments as well as laboratory reagents to prepare antisera, including monoclonal antibodies, and to study noninfective virion-cell interactions.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in primates infected with a simian immunodeficiency virus.

Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSG) with endothelial tubuloreticular inclusions (TRIs) is the typical lesion of human HIV-associated glomerulopathy. Autopsy studies showed the presence of FSG in 3 of 15 macaques dying 15-120 weeks after experimental infection with a simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVMne). Ultrastructural studies generally revealed numerous endothelial TRIs (also present in normals), mesangial expansion, and evidence of mesangial cell injury. One additional animal had a small-vessel polyarteritis with a proliferative and focally crescentic glomerulonephritis; seven animals had mild, multifocal interstitial nephritis. All animals had documented viremia after infection; 14 of 15 developed antibodies to SIV postinoculation. Additional postmortem findings included severe enterocolitis, encephalitis, and opportunistic infections. In contrast, autopsy studies of macaques infected with a type D simian retrovirus (SAIDS-D/Washington, SRV-2) for similar periods of time (n = 40) showed no evidence of FSG. One SRV-infected animal had a mild proliferative glomerulonephritis. These studies indicate SIV-infected primates may provide a relevant model for study of human HIV-associated nephropathy. They also indicate the variable pathology that can be seen in primate infections of distinct retrovirus types, each of which produces a simian immunodeficiency state that resembles human AIDS.

In vitro screening for antiretroviral agents against simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV).

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), which causes an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in macaques, is a lentivirus that is morphologically, antigenically, genetically, and biologically similar to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Because of these similarities, the SIV model represents a unique opportunity for in vitro and in vivo testing of antiretroviral agents. Since antiretroviral agents may exhibit different properties in different cells in vitro, more than one cell line may be necessary to evaluate the efficacy and modes of action of an antiretroviral agent. Initially we tested ten cell lines for their permissiveness to five SIV isolates. One B-cell line (AA-2) and one T-cell line (HuT 78) were selected to test antiretroviral agents since both were extremely permissive for SIVmac251, an isolate with a high rate of infectivity. Using this optimized in vitro testing protocol, we screened ten antiretroviral agents for their ability to inhibit SIV replication. Six of the compounds completely inhibited SIV viral antigen expression. Based on the selectivity index, 3'-azido-3'-dideoxythymidine, 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyuridine, and 3'-fluoro-3'-deoxythymidine appear to be the most efficacious antiretroviral agents against SIVmac251. Several different assays for determining viral antigen inhibition were conducted and the results of these assays were comparable. Our results demonstrate that the SIV in vitro model is a valuable screening tool for determining the efficacy and toxicity of new antiretroviral agents.