Transgenic Mice Expressing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 in Immune Cells Develop a Severe AIDS-Like Disease |
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| Authors: | Zaher Hanna Denis G Kay Marc Cool Serge Jothy Najet Rebai and Paul Jolicoeur |
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| Institution: | Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7,1. Departments of Medicine2. and Microbiology and Immunology,4. Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, and Departments of Pathology3. and Experimental Medicine,5. McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1A4, Canada |
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| Abstract: | We have constructed transgenic (Tg) mice expressing the entire human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coding sequences in cells targeted by HIV-1 infection in humans. These Tg mice developed a severe AIDS-like disease leading to early death (<1 month). They developed muscle wasting, severe atrophy and fibrosis of lymphoid organs, tubulointerstitial nephritis, and lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis. In addition the expression of RANTES was increased in various tissues of these Tg mice relative to that in the normal controls. Disease appearance was correlated with the levels of transgene expression. The numerous pathologies observed in these mice are remarkably similar to those observed in human AIDS and, more specifically, in pediatric AIDS. |
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