EVALUATING THE ROLE OF EXOSOMES FROM SIVMAC239X INFECTED CELLS ON VIRUS TRANSMISSION IN VIVO

Abstract

This project aims to determine the number of virus particles transmitted to non-human primates after intra-rectal challenge. The virus, SIVmac239X, is a transfection derived stock containing ten molecularly tagged variants which are functionally equivalent but genetically distinct. Challenge stocks will be created following exposure to virus-free exosomes isolated from various infected cell types including monocyte derived macrophages which are a primary target of SIV.