Tools for Visualizing HIV in Cure Research.

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• The persistent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reservoir is a primary barrier to achieving a cure.
• Current analytical methods for the HIV reservoir are predominantly population-based, limiting single-entity resolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in methods for visualizing the HIV reservoir.
• To highlight how these novel techniques provide complementary information crucial for developing HIV cure strategies.

Main Methods:

• Developments in fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for reservoir visualization.
• High-throughput single-cell analysis using flow cytometry for HIV mRNA and protein detection.
• In situ fluorescence microscopy for detecting viral RNA and DNA in tissues.
• Non-invasive immuno-positron emission tomography (PET) for total-body HIV protein detection.

Main Results:

• Novel imaging techniques offer high-resolution insights into HIV reservoir characteristics.
• Single-cell, tissue, and total-body imaging approaches provide complementary data on reservoir size, phenotype, and location.
• These visualization methods enhance understanding of reservoir dynamics.

Conclusions:

• HIV imaging approaches provide indispensable, complementary information for cure strategy development.
• Visualizing the HIV reservoir is vital for designing, assessing, and monitoring potential HIV cures.
• These advancements pave the way for improved in vitro and in vivo HIV cure research.