The efficacy of potent anti-retroviral drug combinations tested in a murine model of HIV-1 encephalitis

J. Limoges, L. Poluektova, W. Ratanasuwan, J. Rasmussen, M. Zelivyanskaya, D. R. McClernon, E. R. Lanier, H. E. Gendelman*, Y. Persidsky

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Development of anti-retroviral regimens with enhanced efficacy against brain HIV-1 is essential if viral eradication is to be achieved. To address this, a severe combined immune deficiency mouse model of HIV-1 encephalitis was used to assay the effect of protease-containing and protease-sparing drug regimens on viral replication in brain macrophages. Here, HIV-1-infected human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) are inoculated into basal ganglia, causing a multinucleated giant cell encephalitis reminiscent of human disease. Drugs were administered at the time of MDM inoculation and continued until sacrifice. Immunohistochemical tests evaluated ongoing viral replication, glial immunity, and neuronal survival. Treatment with ddl/d4T decreased the numbers of infected cells by 75%, while ddl/d4T/amprenavir or ZDV/3TC/ABC diminished infection by 98%. Triple drug regimens decreased astrogliosis by ≥25%. This small-animal model may be used to screen drug regimens that affect ongoing HIV-1 replication within its brain sanctuary.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)21-34
Number of pages14
JournalVirology
Volume281
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2001

Funding

We thank Ms. Julie Ditter and Robin Taylor for excellent editorial support. Dr. Poluektova is a Nicolas Badami Research Fellow. This work was supported by National Institutes of Health Research Grants K08MH01552 (J.L.), R29AI42404 (Y.P.), and P01MH57556, P01NS31492, R01NS34239, and R01NS36126 (H.E.G.), and by GlaxoWellcome (Research Triangle Park, NC) (H.E.G.).

Keywords

  • HIV-1 encephalitis
  • Macrophages
  • Potent anti-retrovirals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Virology

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