APOBEC3G-Augmented Stem Cell Therapy to Modulate HIV Replication: A Computational Study

PLoS One. 2013 May 22;8(5):e63984. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063984. Print 2013.

Abstract

The interplay between the innate immune system restriction factor APOBEC3G and the HIV protein Vif is a key host-retrovirus interaction. APOBEC3G can counteract HIV infection in at least two ways: by inducing lethal mutations on the viral cDNA; and by blocking steps in reverse transcription and viral integration into the host genome. HIV-Vif blocks these antiviral functions of APOBEC3G by impeding its encapsulation. Nonetheless, it has been shown that overexpression of APOBEC3G, or interfering with APOBEC3G-Vif binding, can efficiently block in vitro HIV replication. Some clinical studies have also suggested that high levels of APOBEC3G expression in HIV patients are correlated with increased CD4+ T cell count and low levels of viral load; however, other studies have reported contradictory results and challenged this observation. Stem cell therapy to replace a patient's immune cells with cells that are more HIV-resistant is a promising approach. Pre-implantation gene transfection of these stem cells can augment the HIV-resistance of progeny CD4+ T cells. As a protein, APOBEC3G has the advantage that it can be genetically encoded, while small molecules cannot. We have developed a mathematical model to quantitatively study the effects on in vivo HIV replication of therapeutic delivery of CD34+ stem cells transfected to overexpress APOBEC3G. Our model suggests that stem cell therapy resulting in a high fraction of APOBEC3G-overexpressing CD4+ T cells can effectively inhibit in vivo HIV replication. We extended our model to simulate the combination of APOBEC3G therapy with other biological activities, to estimate the likelihood of improved outcomes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • APOBEC-3G Deaminase
  • Algorithms
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
  • Computer Simulation
  • Cytidine Deaminase / genetics
  • Cytidine Deaminase / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression
  • Genetic Therapy
  • HIV Infections / metabolism*
  • HIV Infections / therapy
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • HIV-1 / physiology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / virology
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological*
  • Virus Replication*

Substances

  • APOBEC-3G Deaminase
  • APOBEC3G protein, human
  • Cytidine Deaminase

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Ruth H. Aranow fellowship and unrestricted startup funds from the Johns Hopkins University. Publication of this article was funded in part by the Open Access Promotion Fund of the Johns Hopkins University Libraries. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.