Nef-Mediated CD3-TCR Downmodulation Dampens Acute Inflammation and Promotes SIV Immune Evasion
Simone Joas, Ulrike Sauermann, Berit Roshani, Antonina Klippert, Maria Anastasia Daskalaki, Kerstin Mätz‐Rensing, Nicole Stolte‐Leeb, Anke Heigele, Gregory K. Tharp, Prachi Mehrotra Gupta, Sydney A. Nelson, Steven E. Bosinger, Laura M. Parodi, Luis D. Giavedoni, Guido Silvestri, Daniel Sauter, Christiane Stahl‐Hennig, Frank Kirchhoff
Abstract
and analyzed the consequences for the virological, immunological, and clinical outcome of infection in rhesus macaques. The inability to downmodulate CD3-TCR does not impair viral replication during acute infection but is associated with increased immune activation and antiviral gene expression. Subsequent early reversion in three of six animals suggests strong selective pressure for this Nef function and is associated with high viral loads and progression to simian AIDS. In the absence of reversions, however, viral replication and the clinical course of infection are attenuated. Thus, Nef-mediated downmodulation of CD3 dampens the inflammatory response to simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection and seems critical for efficient viral immune evasion.