Development of a novel rhesus macaque model with an infectious R 5 simian–human immunodeficiency virus encoding HIV ‐1 CRF 08_ BC env

Background The CRF 08_ BC strain is one of the most predominant circulating Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 ( HIV ‐1) strains in the Chinese pandemic. A simian–human immunodeficiency virus ( SHIV ) encoding HIV ‐1 CRF 08_ BC env is highly desirable to evaluate candidate AIDS vaccines in non‐human primates. Methods SHIV ‐ KBQJ ‐12, which carries the envelope glycoprotein from QJ 001, an infectious molecular clone of HIV ‐1 CRF 08_ BC , was generated. The replication capacity of SHIV ‐ KBQJ ‐12 was determined both in human and rhesus macaque ( M acaca mulatta ) peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMC s) and in C hinese rhesus macaques. Results SHIV ‐ KBQJ ‐12 replicated efficiently in human and macaque PBMC s and displayed a preference for CCR 5 as an entry coreceptor. Productive infection of two macaques by intravenous inoculation with SHIV ‐ KBQJ ‐12 was confirmed. Conclusions SHIV ‐ KBQJ ‐12 is an R 5‐tropic chimeric virus that can establish productive infection both in vitro and in vivo in C hinese rhesus macaques and will be useful to assess candidate HIV ‐1 CRF 08_ BC vaccines in C hina.