The mouse is out of the bag: insights and perspectives on HIV-1-infected humanized mouse models

Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2011 Aug;236(8):977-85. doi: 10.1258/ebm.2011.010294. Epub 2011 Jul 12.

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), which is the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is a human-specific virus. Because HIV-1 cannot infect and cause disorders in other animals, it has been an arduous struggle to study the dynamics of HIV-1 infection in vivo. To understand and elucidate HIV-1 pathogenesis in vivo, several small animal models for HIV-1 infection have been established and improved over the last 20 years. Recently, a novel murine model, 'humanized mouse', has been generated. A humanized mouse has the potential to maintain human hematopoiesis including human CD4(+) leukocytes and, therefore, is able to support persistent HIV-1 infection in vivo. We herein describe the current state-of-the-art in HIV-1-infected humanized mice and introduce insights and perspectives of their use for HIV-1 studies in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • HIV Infections / pathology
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • HIV-1 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mice