Molecular Epidemiology and Natural History of SIVcpz

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Project Summary The focus of this revised renewal application remains centered around the natural history of SIVcpz infection in wild chimpanzees. In the previous budget period, we developed non-invasive (fecal and urine based) SIVcpz detection methods and used these to characterize the molecular epidemiology of SIVcpz in wild-living ape populations throughout equatorial Africa (Nature 2004; Science 2006). We also traced the origin of pandemic and non-pandemic HIV-1 to distinct chimpanzee communities in southern Cameroon (Science 2006), discovered HIV-1 group O-like viruses in wild gorillas (Nature 2006), and found that SIVcpz (like HIV-1) has lost an important function of its Nef protein (Cell 2006; PLoS Pathogens 2008). These and other findings are summarized in 29 publications (including 3 published since the last submission). We also initiated the first natural history study of SIVcpz in two habituated communities (population size ~90) in Gombe National Park and found that (i) SIVcpz prevalence has more than doubled over the past seven years, (ii) SIVcpz infected chimpanzees have a significantly higher mortality rate (18.7 to 20.6-fold increased death hazard; p<0.0001) than uninfected controls, and (iii) two SIVcpz infected chimpanzees died with characteristic AIDS-like immunopathology. These findings provide the first evidence that SIVcpz infection is pathogenic in wild chimpanzees, and thus run counter the prevailing view that all natural SIV infections are non-pathogenic. Given these intriguing findings, we propose to expand our natural history studies in Gombe, characterize viral and host determinants of SIVcpz pathogenicity, and determine if co-infections by other pathogens influence SIVcpz morbidity and mortality. Specific Aims include: 1. To expand our natural history studies of SIVcpz to all three Gombe communities. We will determine SIVcpz prevalence and incidence rates, frequencies of vertical and horizontal transmission, SIVcpz impact on reproductive behavior and success, as well as SIVcpz associated mortality in a larger group of chimpanzees. 2. To elucidate the immunopathological mechanisms underlying SIVcpz pathogenicity. We will conduct health surveys and parasitology studies, as well as post mortem analyses on all apes who die during the study period. Detailed immunohistochemical and virological analyses of necropsy specimens will determine to what extent SIVcpz causes CD4 T cell depletion, lymphatic tissue destruction and immune activation. 3. To elucidate the virological mechanisms underlying SIVcpz pathogenicity. We will generate infectious molecular clones for select SIVcpz strains, characterize their replication fitness and relative virulence, and determine the pattern and rate of SIVcpz evolution. 4. To determine the impact of other viral infections on chimpanzee morbidity and mortality. Using non- invasive methods, we will screen Gombe chimpanzees for STLV, ChHBV and adenoviruses and determine whether and to what extent these infections influence chimpanzee morbidity and mortality.