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Updated: Jun 11, 2026

A Thin-skull Window Technique for Chronic Two-photon In vivo Imaging of Murine Microglia in Models of Neuroinflammation
Published on: September 19, 2010
Correction: Gene expression and chromatin conformation of microglia in virally suppressed people with HIV
Johannes Cm Schlachetzki1,2, Sara Gianella3, Zhengyu Ouyang4
1Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA jschlachetzki@ucsd.edu.
Abstract:
"Despite ART, we detected occasional microglia containing cell-associated HIV RNA and HIV DNA integrated into open regions of the host's genome (∼0.005%)" should be corrected to: "Despite ART, we detected occasional microglia containing cell-associated HIV RNA and HIV DNA integrated into open regions of the host's genome (∼0.5%)."
Insights
Even with antiretroviral therapy (ART), microglia can harbor HIV RNA and DNA. This indicates persistent viral reservoirs in the brain despite treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the standard treatment for HIV.
- HIV can persist in the central nervous system (CNS) despite ART.
- Microglia are the resident immune cells of the CNS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of HIV in microglia within the CNS during ART.
- To determine the extent of viral persistence in microglia.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of brain tissue samples from individuals on ART.
- Detection of HIV RNA and integrated HIV DNA in microglia using molecular techniques.
Main Results:
- Occasional microglia were found to contain cell-associated HIV RNA.
- HIV DNA integrated into open regions of the host genome was detected in microglia.
- This viral persistence was observed at a frequency of approximately 0.5%.
Conclusions:
- Microglia can serve as a reservoir for HIV, even during effective ART.
- The presence of integrated HIV DNA suggests a potential for viral rebound.
- Further research is needed to understand the implications of HIV persistence in microglia for CNS disease.

