Mimicking SIV chimpanzee viral evolution toward HIV‐1 during cross‐species transmission

HIV-1 evolved from SIV during cross-species transmission events, though viral genetic changes are not well understood. Here, we studied the evolution of SIVcpzLB715 into HIV-1 Group M using humanized mice. High viral loads, rapid CD4+ T-cell decline, and non-synonymous substitutions were identified throughout the viral genome suggesting viral adaptation.