biostudies-literatureSugrue EMedical Research CouncilWellcome Truste1010973https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9718408biostudies-literatureUnknown18(11)HIV-1 transmission via sexual exposure is an inefficient process. When transmission does occur, newly infected individuals are colonized by the descendants of either a single virion or a very small number of establishing virions. These transmitted founder (TF) viruses are more interferon (IFN)-resistant than chronic control (CC) viruses present 6 months after transmission. To identify the specific molecular defences that make CC viruses more susceptible to the IFN-induced 'antiviral state', we established a single pair of fluorescent TF and CC viruses and used arrayed interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression screening to identify candidate antiviral effectors. However, we observed a relatively uniform ISG resistance of transmitted HIV-1, and this directed us to investigate possible undePLoS pathogensThe apparent interferon resistance of transmitted HIV-1 is possibly a consequence of enhanced replicative fitness.PMC9718408MR/V01157X/1201366/Z/16/ZMC_UU_12014/10MC_UU_12018/12MC_UU_12014/12MR/P022642/1da Silva Filipe AWickenhagen AWilson SJTong LMollentze NSugrue EAziz MARobertson DLHughes JRihn SJSreenu VBTruxa SfalseThe apparent interferon resistance of transmitted HIV-1 is possibly a consequence of enhanced replicative fitness.HIV-1 transmission via sexual exposure is an inefficient process. When transmission does occur, newly infected individuals are colonized by the descendants of either a single virion or a very small number of establishing virions. These transmitted founder (TF) viruses are more interferon (IFN)-resistant than chronic control (CC) viruses present 6 months after transmission. To identify the specific molecular defences that make CC viruses more susceptible to the IFN-induced 'antiviral state', we established a single pair of fluorescent TF and CC viruses and used arrayed interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression screening to identify candidate antiviral effectors. However, we observed a relatively uniform ISG resistance of transmitted HIV-1, and this directed us to investigate possible unde2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Nov2026-05-28T06:50:03.657Z2025-02-19T04:20:28.536ZS-EPMC97184083639951210.1371/journal.ppat.1010973