Human Cyclin T1 Helps HIV Gene Expression in Transgenic Rats
Author Information
Author(s): Michel Nico, Goffinet Christine, Ganter Kerstin, Allespach Ina, KewalRamani Vineet N, Saifuddin Mohammed, Littman Dan R, Greene Warner C, Goldsmith Mark A, Keppler Oliver T
Primary Institution: Department of Virology, University of Heidelberg
Hypothesis
Can human cyclin T1 expression improve HIV gene expression in transgenic rats?
Conclusion
Human cyclin T1 expression boosts early HIV gene expression in transgenic rats but does not enable a spreading infection.
Supporting Evidence
- hCycT1 expression in rat T-cells boosted early HIV gene expression to levels approaching those in infected primary human T-cells.
- T-cells from hCD4/hCCR5/hCycT1-transgenic rats did not support productive infection of prototypic wild-type R5 HIV-1 strains ex vivo.
- Transgenic expression of hCycT1 significantly enhances replication of HIV-1R7/3 YU-2 Env GFP in T-cells from multi-tg rats.
Takeaway
Scientists made special rats that can help study HIV better. They found that a human protein helps the rats' cells talk to the virus, but it still can't spread like in humans.
Methodology
Transgenic rats expressing human cyclin T1 were generated, and their T-cells were analyzed for HIV gene expression after infection.
Limitations
The study does not address the late-phase limitations of HIV replication in transgenic rats.
Participant Demographics
Transgenic rats expressing human CD4 and CCR5.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.00002
Statistical Significance
p<0.00002
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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