A novel animal model for the study of AIDS and non-AIDS associated skin disorders

Background Since the emergence of AIDS in the early 1980's; HIV infection has had a major impact on the field of dermatology. Almost all patients with AIDS suffer from dermatologic lesions, many primarily related to HIV infection and some others similar in nature to those seen in the nonHIV infected population but more chronic and more resistant to treatment. We developed an HIV-1 Transgenic (Tg) rat that shows mild, moderate and severe forms of skin pathologies, similar as those seen on patients in all stages of AIDS (PNAS, July 31st, 2001). The pathogenesis of HIV-1 associated skin disorders is poorly understood and of great complexity, but as we have better understanding of these diseases we will be able to develop improved therapeutic strategies. The objective of this study is to validate that the Tg rat represents a suitable model for the comprehension of the pathogenesis of skin disorders associated with HIV-1 infection and for many other skin diseases of autoimmune or co-infectious origin.