Animal models in HIV cure research

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Antiretroviral therapy (ART) effectively suppresses HIV replication but is not curative.
• Lifelong ART adherence is necessary due to persistent, latently infected cells harboring integrated HIV DNA.
• Interruption of ART leads to viral rebound, a phenomenon also observed in SIV-infected non-human primate models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current animal models, particularly non-human primates, for AIDS cure research.
• To explore experimental strategies for HIV eradication.
• To enhance understanding of HIV persistence and develop novel therapeutics.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on animal models in HIV cure research.
• Focus on non-human primate models for studying SIV infection.
• Analysis of experimental strategies for viral reservoir investigation and eradication.

Main Results:

• Non-human primate models mimic key aspects of HIV persistence and viral rebound after ART interruption.
• These models are instrumental in investigating the mechanisms of latent reservoir generation.
• Various experimental strategies are being explored for HIV eradication in these models.

Conclusions:

• Non-human primate models are vital tools for advancing AIDS cure research.
• Understanding persistent viral reservoirs is key to developing curative HIV therapies.
• Continued research using these models is essential for achieving HIV eradication.