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Amplification of Near Full-length HIV-1 Proviruses for Next-Generation Sequencing
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Amplification of Near Full-length HIV-1 Proviruses for Next-Generation Sequencing

Published on: October 16, 2018

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HIV: Persistence through division

Lillian B Cohn1, Michel C Nussenzweig1

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065 and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|March 29, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Despite antiretroviral therapy, a persistent HIV-1 reservoir in CD4+ T cells remains a barrier to cure. New research suggests that T cell proliferation may explain the long-term survival of this viral reservoir.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The persistent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reservoir in CD4+ T cells is a significant obstacle to achieving a cure.
  • Antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppresses viral replication but does not eliminate this latent reservoir.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms contributing to the long-term persistence of the HIV-1 latent reservoir.
  • To determine the role of T cell proliferation in maintaining the viral reservoir.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of T cell populations in individuals with HIV-1 infection.
  • Quantitative assessment of viral DNA within proliferating T cells.

Main Results:

  • T cell proliferation was identified as a key factor in the long-term persistence of the HIV-1 latent reservoir.
  • Latent HIV-1 was found within proliferating CD4+ T cells, indicating viral persistence through cell division.

Conclusions:

  • T cell proliferation provides a mechanism for the sustained presence of the HIV-1 latent reservoir.
  • Targeting T cell proliferation may be a potential strategy to address the viral reservoir and advance HIV-1 cure research.

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