Milestones and Discoveries
Origins of AIDS
- Discovered the African origin of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) and established that the West African sooty mangaby is the natural host of SIV and the most likely source of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-2. (HIV-2)
- Identified a novel SIV in red-capped mangabeys and mandrills.
- Found evidence of infection in persons with SIV from mandrills in Cameroon and Gabon.
- Discovered the ancient age of the SIV family.
AIDS Pathogenesis
- Demonstrated that the intestinal immune system is the primary target of SIV infection in both adults and infants.
- Defined the early time course of SIV infection.
- Developed the macaque model of neuroAIDS
- Defined the cell types infected.
- Demonstrated that neuroinvasion by SIV occurs within days of infection and involves leukocyte and endothelial adhesion molecules and chemokines.
- Demonstrated long-term astrocyte activation, even in the absence of virus in CNS.
- Described the early targets and effects of SIV infection on the thymus in vivo.
- Characterized gene and microRNA expression associated with immune activation and epithelial barrier disruption in the intestine through the course of SIV infection.
- Demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the most psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana, in the intestine and lymph nodes in the context of HIV/SIV infection and by extension other chronic intestinal diseases.
Defined the early time course of SIV infection.
Heterosexual Transmission of AIDS
De
