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Updated: May 13, 2026

Interview: HIV-1 Proviral DNA Excision Using an Evolved Recombinase
Published on: June 16, 2008
Is a pacific coexistence between virus and host the unexploited path that may lead to an HIV functional cure?
1Immunobiology of HIV Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, via Stamira D'Ancona 20, 20127 Milan, Italy. jonathan.fior82@gmail.com
Abstract:
The SupT1 cell line supports optimal HIV-1 replication, and prolonged in vitro replication in SupT1 cells renders the virus significantly less virulent. This raises the question of whether the infusion of SupT1 cells could be used as a cell-based therapy to induce a pacific coexistence between the HIV virus and its human host. In a recent study, I investigated this potential therapeutic strategy in vitro. The results suggested that this approach should be further explored in HIV-susceptible animal models. Such studies may lead to the development of a functional cure for HIV infection.
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