Establishment of SPF Rhesus Macaque Breeding Colony

描述（由申请人提供）：siv感染的恒河猴已经成为人类艾滋病的首要动物模型，并在了解疾病发病机制、病毒决定因素在疾病进展中的作用以及宿主免疫在控制病毒复制中的影响方面取得了重要进展。来自印度的恒河猴（Macaca mulatta）特异性无B病毒（BV）、猴T淋巴细胞嗜病毒（STLV-1）、猴D型逆转录病毒（SRV-D）和猴免疫缺陷病毒（SIV）的病原体有限，已经成为研究人员开展基于动物模型的艾滋病相关研究的障碍。出于菌落健康、生物安全以及减少与这些病毒合并感染相关的混杂变量的原因，这些动物很重要。除了这些要求之外，在某些研究项目的实施中，没有其他传染因子或没有确定的MHC类型的动物变得越来越重要。NEPRC于1988年首次建立了一个无BV、STLV-1、SRV-D和SIV的繁殖群体，该群体通过向核心和合作科学家提供定义良好的动物用于艾滋病相关研究，在实现其国家资源使命方面发挥了重要作用。为了认识到这一群体的重要性，哈佛大学最近出资310万美元建造了一个无特定病原体的恒河猴繁殖设施，并出资710万美元建造了一个SPF猕猴住房和测试设施。该应用程序建议扩展和进一步完善现有的NEPRC群体，以利用这些和其他改进。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The SIV-infected rhesus macaque has emerged as the premiere animal model of human AIDS and has lead to important advances in understanding aspects of disease pathogenesis, the role of viral determinants on disease progression and the impact of host immunity in controlling viral replication. The limited availability of Indian-origin rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) specific pathogen free of B virus (BV), Simian T lymphotropic Virus (STLV-1), Simian Retrovirus Type D (SRV-D) and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) has become an impediment to investigators conducting animal model based AIDS-related research. Such animals are important for reasons of colony health, and biosafety and to reduce confounding variables associated with co-infection with these viruses. In addition to these requirements, animals free of other infectious agents or of defined MHC type have become increasingly important in the implementation of certain research programs. The NEPRC first established a breeding colony free of BV, STLV-1, SRV-D and SIV in 1988 and this colony has been instrumental in meeting its national resource mission by providing well-defined animals to core and collaborating scientists for use in AIDS-related research. In recognition of the importance of this colony, Harvard University recently funded the construction of a $3.1 M specific pathogen free rhesus macaque breeding facility and a $7.1M SPF macaque housing and testing facility. This application proposes to expand and further refine the existing NEPRC colony to take advantage of these and other improvements. To accomplish this goal we propose the following specific aims: 1) To expand the NEPRC breeding colony specific pathogen free of BV, STLV-1, SRV-D and SIV through internal and external recruitment of well-defined Indian-origin rhesus macaques; 2) To continue virologic testing of the SPF colony and expand microbiologic assessment of the SPF and "super-clean" breeding groups; and 3) To continue MHC typing and genetic testing with the goal of enhancing colony management and the biological resource.