NIH-Supported Scientists Reverse HIV and SIV Latency in Two Animal Models | NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

NIH-Supported Scientists Reverse HIV and SIV Latency in Two Animal Models | NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases







When a resting immune cell that is latently infected with HIV gets reactivated, the cell starts producing HIV virions (red) that bud and release from the cell (blue), as shown here.  Credit: NIAID

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

NIH-Supported Scientists Reverse HIV and SIV Latency in Two Animal Models

         In a range of experiments, scientists have reactivated resting immune cells that were latently infected with HIV or its monkey relative, SIV, in cells in the bloodstream and a variety of tissues in animals. As a result, the cells started making copies of the viruses, which could potentially be neutralized by anti-HIV drugs and the immune system. This advance, published today in two papers in the journal Nature, marks progress toward a widely accessible cure for HIV.

         “A simple, safe and scalable cure for HIV is an aspirational goal that, if achieved, would accelerate progress toward ending the HIV pandemic,” said NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. “These new findings help sustain our cautious optimism that an HIV cure is possible.”    

         While consistent antiretroviral therapy maintains the health of people living with HIV and prevents transmission of the virus, it is not a cure. Developing an HIV cure has been extremely difficult due to the persistence of viral reservoirs, where the virus hides from the immune system.

         The new research was conducted by investigators from the Collaboratory of AIDS Researchers for Eradication (CARE) and the Emory Consortium for Innovative AIDS Research (E-CIAR) in Nonhuman Primates, both funded by NIH.