Establishment of a non-human primate model using cynomolgus monkeys for evaluating anti-HTLV-I mother to child infection drugs.

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K15285
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Virology
• Research Institution: University of the Ryukyus
• Principal Investigator: Tanaka Yuetsu 琉球大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (30163588)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: HTLV / monkey / infection / vaccine

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Human T cell leukemia virus type-I (HTLV-I) is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids containing infected cells most often either vertically from mother to child via breastfeeding or horizontally in adults. However, no prophylactic vaccine or drug has been developed. In order to explore the potential of anti-HTLV-I vaccines/drugs in humans, it is prerequisite to test its ability in non-human primates. In attempts to establish such an animal model for testing, we have examined whether cynomolgus monkeys (CM) that have been housed in SPF conditions were susceptible to productive infection with HTLV-I in vivo. It is note worthy that all the four female CM that had been infected intravenously with highly infectious HTLV-I-producing cell line cells became carriers of HTLV-I as determined by HTLV-I specific PCR and antibody tests. These HTLV-I carrier CM will be mated to test whether HTLV-I can be transmitted vertically.

Free Research Field

ウイルス学