Polymorphisms in Rhesus Macaque Tetherin Are Associated with Differences in Acute Viremia in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Δ nef -Infected Animals

Abstract

As a consequence of ongoing evolutionary conflict with viral pathogens, tetherin has accumulated numerous species-specific differences that represent important barriers to the transmission of viruses between species. This study reveals extensive polymorphism in rhesus macaque tetherin and identifies specific alleles that are associated with lower viral loads during the first few weeks after infection with nef -deleted SIV. These observations suggest that the variable selective pressure of viral pathogens, in addition to driving the diversification of tetherin among species, also operates within certain species to maintain sequence variation in tetherin.