Viral pathogenesis in hu-PBL-SCID mice.

The transplantation of human cells into immunodeficient mice has provided new models for human immune function, infection by pathogenic viruses that grow in lymphocytes or other hematopoietic cells, and development of hematopoietic lineages. SCID mice reconstituted with adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hu-PBL-SCID mice) maintain some established immune responses, but do not produce a full spectrum of primary cellular or humoral responses. Nonetheless, hu-PBL-SCID mice are a valuable tool for studying primary infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and reactivation of latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. This review will summarize findings from such studies.