From bench to bedside: stem cell therapy as a transformative approach against HIV

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Stem Cell Biology
• Virology

Background:

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) presents a global health challenge, with current antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppressing but not eliminating the virus.
• Long-lived latent reservoirs prevent a complete cure for HIV.
• Stem cell-based strategies show promise for durable HIV remission and functional cure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in stem cell-based therapeutics for HIV.
• To explore the mechanisms underlying these innovative treatments.
• To evaluate current evidence and future directions for achieving a functional HIV cure.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical and preclinical studies on stem cell therapies for HIV.
• Analysis of gene-editing technologies (CRISPR-Cas9, TALENs, ZFNs) in HIV treatment.
• Evaluation of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived immune effectors.

Main Results:

• Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with CCR5Δ32/Δ32 donor cells demonstrated prolonged HIV remission.
• Autologous gene-edited stem and progenitor cells offer scalable, patient-specific interventions.
• Genome editing targets viral entry pathways and host factors, addressing latency and immune reconstitution.

Conclusions:

• Stem cell therapies, particularly with gene editing, are advancing toward a functional cure for HIV.
• Challenges include toxicity, manufacturing, safety, and ethical considerations.
• Continued progress in cellular engineering and immunology is crucial for HIV eradication.