Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to highlight major advances in the development and use of animal models for HIV-1 research during the last year.
Recent findings: Animal model research during the last year has focused on the development and refinement of models; use of these models to explore key questions about HIV entry, immune control, and persistence; and key discoveries with these models testing therapeutic and vaccine concepts. Some of the greatest breakthroughs have been in understanding early events surrounding transmission, the effectiveness of broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies as passive prophylaxis, and some new ideas in the area of eliminating the viral reservoir in established infection.
Summary: Despite the lack of a flawless HIV-1 infection and pathogenesis model, the field utilizes several models that have already made important contributions to our understanding of early events, immune control, and the potential for novel therapies.