Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2025
06:07
Oral Combinational Antiretroviral Treatment in HIV-1 Infected Humanized Mice
Published on: October 6, 2022
2.5K
Targeting Th17 cells in HIV-1 remission/cure interventions
Augustine Fert1, Laurence Raymond Marchand2, Tomas Raul Wiche Salinas1
1Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada; Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
Trends in Immunology
|June 6, 2022
Summary
Identifying T helper 17 (Th17) cells as key viral reservoirs offers new avenues for HIV-1 remission. Targeting these cells may overcome major barriers to curing HIV-1 infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Effective antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) have been developed for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), but curing the infection remains challenging.
- Persistent viral reservoirs (VRs) in long-lived CD4+ T cells, ongoing viral transcription, and impaired mucosal immunity contribute to inflammation and hinder HIV-1 remission.
- Recent findings implicate T helper 17 (Th17) cells as significant reservoirs for transcriptionally active HIV-1.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the functional characteristics of Th17 cells, drawing parallels with their role in autoimmune diseases.
- To explore how insights into Th17 cell function can inform novel strategies for HIV-1 remission and potential cure.
- To highlight the potential of targeting Th17 cells for overcoming barriers to HIV-1 eradication.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes existing knowledge from fundamental immunology research on Th17 cells.
- It integrates recent discoveries linking Th17 cells to HIV-1 persistence and viral reservoirs.
- The review extrapolates findings from autoimmunity research to the context of HIV-1 infection.
Main Results:
- Th17 cells possess functional features that make them susceptible to maintaining persistent, transcriptionally competent HIV-1 reservoirs.
- Understanding Th17 cell biology, particularly in autoimmunity, provides a framework for investigating their role in HIV-1 pathogenesis.
- Knowledge of Th17 cell regulation and function can be leveraged to develop targeted interventions.
Conclusions:
- Th17 cells represent a critical cellular reservoir contributing to HIV-1 persistence.
- Targeting Th17 cells offers a promising, novel strategy for achieving HIV-1 remission and potentially a cure.
- Further research into Th17 cell-directed therapies is warranted for advancing HIV-1 cure agendas.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Retrovirus Life Cycles
47.0K
Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...
47.0K
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
956
The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
956