Assessing HIV-1 subtype C infection dynamics, therapeutic responses and reservoir distribution using a humanized mouse model

IntroductionWhile HIV-1 subtype C (HIV-1C) is the most prevalent and widely distributed subtype in the HIV pandemic, nearly all current prevention and therapeutic strategies are based on work with the subtype B (HIV-1B). HIV-1C displays distinct genetic and pathogenic features from that of HIV-1B. T...

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Main Authors: Snehal Kaginkar, Leila Remling-Mulder, Ashashree Sahoo, Tejaswini Pandey, Pranay Gurav, Jyoti Sutar, Amit Kumar Singh, Ella Barnett, Sivasankar Panickan, Ramesh Akkina, Vainav Patel
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Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1552563/full
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author Snehal Kaginkar
Leila Remling-Mulder
Ashashree Sahoo
Tejaswini Pandey
Pranay Gurav
Jyoti Sutar
Amit Kumar Singh
Ella Barnett
Sivasankar Panickan
Ramesh Akkina
Vainav Patel
author_facet Snehal Kaginkar
Leila Remling-Mulder
Ashashree Sahoo
Tejaswini Pandey
Pranay Gurav
Jyoti Sutar
Amit Kumar Singh
Ella Barnett
Sivasankar Panickan
Ramesh Akkina
Vainav Patel
author_sort Snehal Kaginkar
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionWhile HIV-1 subtype C (HIV-1C) is the most prevalent and widely distributed subtype in the HIV pandemic, nearly all current prevention and therapeutic strategies are based on work with the subtype B (HIV-1B). HIV-1C displays distinct genetic and pathogenic features from that of HIV-1B. Thus, treatment approaches developed for HIV-1B need to be suitably optimized for HIV-1C. A suitable animal model will help delineate comparative aspects of HIV-1C and HIV-1B infections.MethodsHere, we used a humanized mouse model to evaluate HIV-1C infection, disease progression, response to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and viral rebound following therapy interruption. A limited comparative study with a prototypical subtype B virus was also performed. Viral infection, immune cell dynamics, acquisition of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) resistance and anatomical reservoir distribution following extended and interrupted therapy were compared. ResultsIn comparison, lower early plasma viremia was observed with HIV-1C, but with similar rate of CD4+ T cell depletion as that of HIV-1B. Viral suppression by ART was delayed in the HIV-1C infected group with evidence, in one case, of acquired class wide resistance to integrase inhibitors, a critical component of current global therapy regimens. Also, HIV-1C infected animals displayed faster rebound viremia following ART interruption (ATI). Disparate patterns of tissue proviral DNA distribution were observed following extended ART and ATI suggestive of distinct sources of viral rebound. DiscussionIn this preliminary study, discernible differences were noted between HIV-1C and B with implications for prevention, therapeutics and curative strategies. Results from here also highlight the utility of the hu-HSC mouse model for future expanded studies in this context.
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spelling doaj-art-98224ac2e06e4373a2becf728daf4df82025-08-20T02:26:33ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-04-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15525631552563Assessing HIV-1 subtype C infection dynamics, therapeutic responses and reservoir distribution using a humanized mouse modelSnehal Kaginkar0Leila Remling-Mulder1Ashashree Sahoo2Tejaswini Pandey3Pranay Gurav4Jyoti Sutar5Amit Kumar Singh6Ella Barnett7Sivasankar Panickan8Ramesh Akkina9Vainav Patel10Viral Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)- National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Mumbai, IndiaDepartment of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United StatesViral Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)- National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Mumbai, IndiaViral Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)- National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Mumbai, IndiaViral Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)- National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Mumbai, IndiaInternational AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI)- Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) Antibody Translational Research Program, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC)-Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, National Capital Region (NCR) Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, IndiaViral Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)- National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Mumbai, IndiaDepartment of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United StatesDepartment of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United StatesDepartment of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United StatesViral Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)- National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Mumbai, IndiaIntroductionWhile HIV-1 subtype C (HIV-1C) is the most prevalent and widely distributed subtype in the HIV pandemic, nearly all current prevention and therapeutic strategies are based on work with the subtype B (HIV-1B). HIV-1C displays distinct genetic and pathogenic features from that of HIV-1B. Thus, treatment approaches developed for HIV-1B need to be suitably optimized for HIV-1C. A suitable animal model will help delineate comparative aspects of HIV-1C and HIV-1B infections.MethodsHere, we used a humanized mouse model to evaluate HIV-1C infection, disease progression, response to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and viral rebound following therapy interruption. A limited comparative study with a prototypical subtype B virus was also performed. Viral infection, immune cell dynamics, acquisition of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) resistance and anatomical reservoir distribution following extended and interrupted therapy were compared. ResultsIn comparison, lower early plasma viremia was observed with HIV-1C, but with similar rate of CD4+ T cell depletion as that of HIV-1B. Viral suppression by ART was delayed in the HIV-1C infected group with evidence, in one case, of acquired class wide resistance to integrase inhibitors, a critical component of current global therapy regimens. Also, HIV-1C infected animals displayed faster rebound viremia following ART interruption (ATI). Disparate patterns of tissue proviral DNA distribution were observed following extended ART and ATI suggestive of distinct sources of viral rebound. DiscussionIn this preliminary study, discernible differences were noted between HIV-1C and B with implications for prevention, therapeutics and curative strategies. Results from here also highlight the utility of the hu-HSC mouse model for future expanded studies in this context.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1552563/fullhumanized mice for HIV-1CHIV subtype C infection dynamics in humanized miceanti-retroviral therapy for HIV-1Cdrug resistance mutationsHIV-1C tissue reservoirtreatment interruption
spellingShingle Snehal Kaginkar
Leila Remling-Mulder
Ashashree Sahoo
Tejaswini Pandey
Pranay Gurav
Jyoti Sutar
Amit Kumar Singh
Ella Barnett
Sivasankar Panickan
Ramesh Akkina
Vainav Patel
Assessing HIV-1 subtype C infection dynamics, therapeutic responses and reservoir distribution using a humanized mouse model
Frontiers in Immunology
humanized mice for HIV-1C
HIV subtype C infection dynamics in humanized mice
anti-retroviral therapy for HIV-1C
drug resistance mutations
HIV-1C tissue reservoir
treatment interruption
title Assessing HIV-1 subtype C infection dynamics, therapeutic responses and reservoir distribution using a humanized mouse model
title_full Assessing HIV-1 subtype C infection dynamics, therapeutic responses and reservoir distribution using a humanized mouse model
title_fullStr Assessing HIV-1 subtype C infection dynamics, therapeutic responses and reservoir distribution using a humanized mouse model
title_full_unstemmed Assessing HIV-1 subtype C infection dynamics, therapeutic responses and reservoir distribution using a humanized mouse model
title_short Assessing HIV-1 subtype C infection dynamics, therapeutic responses and reservoir distribution using a humanized mouse model
title_sort assessing hiv 1 subtype c infection dynamics therapeutic responses and reservoir distribution using a humanized mouse model
topic humanized mice for HIV-1C
HIV subtype C infection dynamics in humanized mice
anti-retroviral therapy for HIV-1C
drug resistance mutations
HIV-1C tissue reservoir
treatment interruption
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1552563/full
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