Evaluation of the lymphocyte trafficking drug FTY720 in SHIVSF162P3-infected rhesus macaques.

Objectives: FTY720 causes retention of lymphocytes in lymphatic tissues. Previous studies revealed that FTY720 can decrease or eliminate chronic viral infections of mice. We address here whether therapeutic use of FTY720 in simian human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)-infected rhesus macaques could also decrease viraemia.

Direct stringency comparison of two macaque models (single-high vs. repeat-low) for mucosal HIV transmission using an identical anti-HIV chemoprophylaxis intervention.

Background: In our previous work, oral chemoprophylaxis with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) provided partial protection in rhesus macaques against repeated low-dose (RL) intrarectal SHIV162p3 exposure.

Methods: Here, we make a direct comparison of these previous findings with data generated using a single high (SH)-dose challenge strategy.

Results: All 5 (100%) control macaques were infected after a SH challenge and only three of five (60%) TDF-treated macaques became infected.