Replication and cytopathogenicity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)/simian immunodeficiency virus agm3 chimeric viruses in human and monkey cells: the 5' half of the HIV-1 genome is responsible for virus cytopathogenicity

Two chimeric viruses were constructed between human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and an apathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVagm3mc) from African green monkeys. One of the chimeras, HE-A391, expressed the HIV-1-derived env, vpu, tat and rev genes and the SIVagm3mc-derived LTR and the gag, pol and vif genes. The other chimera, SE-H13, contained the SIVagm3mc-derived env, tat and rev genes and the HIV-1-derived LTR and the gag, pol, vif and nef genes. Both constructs yielded infectious viruses and their phenotypes (growth-competence and cell-killing capacity) were examined in various CD4⁺ cells including human and monkey PBMCs. The results indicated that the replicative properties of the chimeras were mainly dependent on the 5'-genomic half of the parental viruses, and the determinant for viral cytopathogenicity was located within the 5' half of the HIV-1 genome.