Through the accumulation of adaptive mutations, HIV-2 originated from SIVsm. To identify these evolutionary changes, a humanized mouse model recapitulated the process that likely enabled this cross-species transmission event. Various adaptive mutations arose, as well as increased virulence and CD4+ T-cell decline as the virus was passaged in humanized mice.
Keywords: HIV-2 viral evolution; SIVsm evolution towards HIV-2; SIVsm infection in humanized mice; Sooty Mangabeys; cross-species SIV transmission; hu-HSC mice for viral cross-species jump.
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