Infectious Molecular Clone of SIVsmE543-3: A Tool for Studying SIV-Induced Encephalitis and Neutralization Resistance
The development of an infectious molecular clone of simian immunodeficiency virus SIVsm, known as SIVsmE543-3, marks a significant breakthrough in SIV research. This clone, derived from a late-stage biological isolate from an immunodeficient rhesus macaque with SIV-induced encephalitis, has shown robust replication in macaque immune cells and macrophages. Notably, SIVsmE543-3 exhibits resistance to neutralization by heterologous sera, which can typically neutralize genetically diverse SIV variants in vitro.