Researchers have identified a possible way to eradicate latent HIV infection that is latent in infected immune cells. By examining human immune cells, the researchers showed that these cells have a natural alarm system that detects the activity of a particular HIV protein. The strategy is to attack the virus based on its characteristics. HIV treatment has improved tremendously over the past 30 years. It was once a death sentence, but now the disease is a manageable condition for life in many parts of the world. Life expectancy is roughly the same as that of people without HIV, although patients must follow rigorous daily antiretroviral therapy or the virus will come out of hiding and reactivate. Antiretroviral therapy prevents the existing virus from replicating but cannot clear the infection. Many ongoing clinical trials are investigating possible ways to eliminate HIV infection. In a study published on Feb. 4 in the journal Science, researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis identified a possible way to eradicate latent HIV infection that remains latent in infected immune cells.
That these cells have a natural alarm system that detects the activity of a particular HIV protein. Instead of attacking the virus based on its appearance, which is the basis of most immunotherapies, this strategy is to attack the virus based on its activities. HIV is almost impossible to eradicate because the immune system cannot keep up with its unusually rapid rate of mutation and constantly changes its appearance to avoid immune attacks, just like a spy. Just as the body's immune cells learn to recognize a manifestation of the virus; it has already turned into many new disguises. The lead author Liang Shan, PhD, assistant professor of medicine analogy, informed that, they identified a part of the immune system that could recognize and attack a central function of the HIV virus.
It is impossible to hide the operation, which is exciting because it increases the chance of eliminating all latent viruses in a single patient. Treatment that could change their HIV status from positive to negative would have a massive impact on their lives. This strategy is based on demonstrating the activity of one a certain protein called HIV protease that the virus needs to multiply and spread.
