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郭 悦, 张 燕, 朱 丹, 龚 芳, 高 钰, 朱 昆, 李 姗. [Abnormal Activation of T Cells in HIV-1 Infection After Antiretroviral Therapy]. SICHUAN DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF SICHUAN UNIVERSITY. MEDICAL SCIENCE EDITION 2023; 54:415-421. [PMID: 36949708 PMCID: PMC10409166 DOI: 10.12182/20230360208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Objective To investigate the relationship between abnormal activation of T cell subsets in peripheral whole blood and the recovery of immune function in persons infected with HIV-1, and to examine the relationship between the size of the viral reservoir of HIV-1 DNA and T cell subsets. Methods HIV-1-infected persons who underwent routine testing between July 2019 and May 2020 were the target population of the study. According to whether, at the time of enrollment, their CD4+ T cells reached 500 cells/μL after antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-1-infected persons were divided into two groups, 76 in the deficiency group and 61 in the immune recovery group. In addition, 22 people who were not exposed to HIV-1, and who were tested negative for HIV-1 antibody were selected as the control group. For the three groups of subjects, tests of the T cell subsets were conducted. A total of 77 HIV-1-infected persons, with 44 from the deficiency group and 33 from the recovery group, were examined for HIV-1 DNA reservoir. The deficiency group and the recovery group were followed up 6 months later and the CD4+ T cell test results of 133 blood samples were collected, with 74 from the deficiency group and 59 from the recovery group. Results The proportions of activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells of the deficiency group were higher than those of the recovery group and the control group. The proportions of senescent CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the deficiency group were comparable to those of the recovery group, which were higher than those of the control group, showing significant differences only in senescent CD8+ T cells, and no significant difference in senescent CD4+ T cells. The deficiency group expressed higher levels of effector memory CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells than the control group did, and the recovery group only expressed a higher level of effect memory CD8+ T cells. Both the deficiency group and the recovery group showed lower levels of central memory CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells than the control group did, and the recovery group had an even lower level of central memory CD4+ T cells than the deficiency group did. The recovery group showed a higher expression level of naïve CD4+ T cells, and the deficiency group and the recovery group had lower expression levels of naïve CD8+ T cells than the control group did. There was no correlation between the size of the viral reservoir of HIV-1 DNA and CD4+ T cell count or the T cell subsets. Activated CD4+ T cells, activated CD8+ T cells, and central memory CD4+ T cells were negatively correlated with the follow-up findings for CD4+ T cells, with r at -0.378, -0.334, and -0.322, respectively ( P<0.05). Naïve CD4+ T cells and naïve CD8+ T cells were positively correlated with the follow-up findings for CD4+ T cell subset, with r at 0.350 and 0.267, respectively ( P<0.05). Conclusion HIV-1 infected persons have varying degrees of abnormal immune activation of T cell subsets. The abnormal activation of some T-cell subsets is partly associated with the subsequent recovery of immune functions and the size of the viral reservoir of HIV-1 DNA was not associated with the T cell subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- 悦 郭
- 成都市疾病预防控制中心 性病艾滋病检测科 (成都 610041)Department of STD and AIDS Laboratory, Chengdu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - 燕琳 张
- 成都市疾病预防控制中心 性病艾滋病检测科 (成都 610041)Department of STD and AIDS Laboratory, Chengdu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - 丹 朱
- 成都市疾病预防控制中心 性病艾滋病检测科 (成都 610041)Department of STD and AIDS Laboratory, Chengdu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - 芳红 龚
- 成都市疾病预防控制中心 性病艾滋病检测科 (成都 610041)Department of STD and AIDS Laboratory, Chengdu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - 钰双 高
- 成都市疾病预防控制中心 性病艾滋病检测科 (成都 610041)Department of STD and AIDS Laboratory, Chengdu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - 昆蓉 朱
- 成都市疾病预防控制中心 性病艾滋病检测科 (成都 610041)Department of STD and AIDS Laboratory, Chengdu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - 姗珊 李
- 成都市疾病预防控制中心 性病艾滋病检测科 (成都 610041)Department of STD and AIDS Laboratory, Chengdu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu 610041, China
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Yang X, Zhao X, Zhu Y, Xun J, Wen Q, Pan H, Yang J, Wang J, Liang Z, Shen X, Liang Y, Lin Q, Liang H, Li M, Chen J, Jiang S, Xu J, Lu H, Zhu H. FBXO34 promotes latent HIV-1 activation by post-transcriptional modulation. Emerg Microbes Infect 2022; 11:2785-2799. [PMID: 36285453 PMCID: PMC9665091 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2140605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cannot be completely cured, mainly due to the existence of a latent HIV-1 reservoir. However, our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the establishment and maintenance of HIV-1 latent reservoir is not comprehensive. Here, using a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 activation library screening, we identified E3 ubiquitin ligase F-box protein 34 (FBXO34) and the substrate of FBXO34, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (hnRNP U) was identified by affinity purification mass spectrometry, as new host factors related to HIV-1 latent maintenance. Overexpression of FBXO34 or knockout of hnRNP U can activate latent HIV-1 in multiple latent cell lines. FBXO34 mainly promotes hnRNP U ubiquitination, which leads to hnRNP U degradation and abolishment of the interaction between hnRNP U and HIV-1 mRNA. In a latently infected cell line, hnRNP U interacts with the ReV region of HIV-1 mRNA through amino acids 1-339 to hinder HIV-1 translation, thereby, promoting HIV-1 latency. Importantly, we confirmed the role of the FBXO34/hnRNP U axis in the primary CD4+ T lymphocyte model, and detected differences in hnRNP U expression levels in samples from patients treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) and healthy people, which further suggests that the FBXO34/hnRNP U axis is a new pathway involved in HIV-1 latency. These results provide mechanistic insights into the critical role of ubiquitination and hnRNP U in HIV-1 latency. This novel FBXO34/hnRNP U axis in HIV transcription may be directly targeted to control HIV reservoirs in patients in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Xiaying Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yuqi Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jingna Xun
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
- Scientific Research Center, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Hanyu Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jinlong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Zhimin Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Xiaoting Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yue Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Qinru Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Huitong Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Min Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Scientific Research Center, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianqing Xu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministry of Education/Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongzhou Lu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huanzhang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Engineering Research Center of Gene Technology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
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Heterogeneity of Latency Establishment in the Different Human CD4
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T Cell Subsets Stimulated with IL-15. J Virol 2022; 96:e0037922. [PMID: 35499323 PMCID: PMC9131862 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00379-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV integrates into the host genome, creating a viral reservoir of latently infected cells that persists despite effective antiretroviral treatment. CD4-positive (CD4+) T cells are the main contributors to the HIV reservoir. CD4+ T cells are a heterogeneous population, and the mechanisms of latency establishment in the different subsets, as well as their contribution to the reservoir, are still unclear. In this study, we analyzed HIV latency establishment in different CD4+ T cell subsets stimulated with interleukin 15 (IL-15), a cytokine that increases both susceptibility to infection and reactivation from latency. Using a dual-reporter virus that allows discrimination between latent and productive infection at the single-cell level, we found that IL-15-treated primary human CD4+ T naive and CD4+ T stem cell memory (TSCM) cells are less susceptible to HIV infection than CD4+ central memory (TCM), effector memory (TEM), and transitional memory (TTM) cells but are also more likely to harbor transcriptionally silent provirus. The propensity of these subsets to harbor latent provirus compared to the more differentiated memory subsets was independent of differential expression of pTEFb components. Microscopy analysis of NF-κB suggested that CD4+ T naive cells express smaller amounts of nuclear NF-κB than the other subsets, partially explaining the inefficient long terminal repeat (LTR)-driven transcription. On the other hand, CD4+ TSCM cells display similar levels of nuclear NF-κB to CD4+ TCM, CD4+ TEM, and CD4+ TTM cells, indicating the availability of transcription initiation and elongation factors is not solely responsible for the inefficient HIV gene expression in the CD4+ TSCM subset. IMPORTANCE The formation of a latent reservoir is the main barrier to HIV cure. Here, we investigated how HIV latency is established in different CD4+ T cell subsets in the presence of IL-15, a cytokine that has been shown to efficiently induce latency reversal. We observed that, even in the presence of IL-15, the less differentiated subsets display lower levels of productive HIV infection than the more differentiated subsets. These differences were not related to different expression of pTEFb, and modest differences in NF-κB were observed for CD4+ T naive cells only, implying the involvement of other mechanisms. Understanding the molecular basis of latency establishment in different CD4+ T cell subsets might be important for tailoring specific strategies to reactivate HIV transcription in all the CD4+ T subsets that compose the latent reservoir.
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Kim TH, Lee SW. Aptamers for Anti-Viral Therapeutics and Diagnostics. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22084168. [PMID: 33920628 PMCID: PMC8074132 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral infections cause a host of fatal diseases and seriously affect every form of life from bacteria to humans. Although most viral infections can receive appropriate treatment thereby limiting damage to life and livelihood with modern medicine and early diagnosis, new types of viral infections are continuously emerging that need to be properly and timely treated. As time is the most important factor in the progress of many deadly viral diseases, early detection becomes of paramount importance for effective treatment. Aptamers are small oligonucleotide molecules made by the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Aptamers are characterized by being able to specifically bind to a target, much like antibodies. However, unlike antibodies, aptamers are easily synthesized, modified, and are able to target a wider range of substances, including proteins and carbohydrates. With these advantages in mind, many studies on aptamer-based viral diagnosis and treatments are currently in progress. The use of aptamers for viral diagnosis requires a system that recognizes the binding of viral molecules to aptamers in samples of blood, serum, plasma, or in virus-infected cells. From a therapeutic perspective, aptamers target viral particles or host cell receptors to prevent the interaction between the virus and host cells or target intracellular viral proteins to interrupt the life cycle of the virus within infected cells. In this paper, we review recent attempts to use aptamers for the diagnosis and treatment of various viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Hyeong Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Korea;
| | - Seong-Wook Lee
- Department of Life Convergence, Research Institute of Advanced Omics, Dankook University, Yongin 16890, Korea
- R&D Center, Rznomics Inc., Seongnam 13486, Korea
- Correspondence:
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Abel T, Moodley J, Naicker T. The Involvement of MicroRNAs in SARS-CoV-2 Infection Comorbid with HIV-Associated Preeclampsia. Curr Hypertens Rep 2021; 23:20. [PMID: 33847825 PMCID: PMC8042355 DOI: 10.1007/s11906-021-01138-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review This review investigated the potential role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the synergy of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, preeclampsia (PE), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Maternal health is a great concern when treating pregnant women fighting this triad of diseases, which is highly prevalent in South Africa. MicroRNAs are involved in fine-tuning of physiological processes. Disruptions to the balance of this minute protein can lead to various physiological changes that are sometimes pathological. Recent Findings MicroRNAs have recently been implicated in PE and have been linked to the anti-angiogenic imbalance evident in PE. Recent in silico studies have identified potential host miRNAs with anti-viral properties against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Studies have demonstrated dysregulated expression of several miRNAs in HIV-1 infection along with the ability of HIV-1 to downregulate anti-viral host microRNAs. Summary This review has highlighted the significant gap in literature on the potential of miRNAs in women with HIV-associated PE in synergy with the novel SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, this review has provided evidence of the critical role that the epigenetic regulatory mechanism of miRNA plays in viral infections and PE, thereby providing a foundation for further research investigating the potential of therapeutic miRNA development with fewer side-effects for pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tashlen Abel
- Optics and Imaging Centre, Doris Duke Medical Research Institution, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
| | - Jagidesa Moodley
- Women's Health and HIV Research Group, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Thajasvarie Naicker
- Optics and Imaging Centre, Doris Duke Medical Research Institution, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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Wong LM, Jiang G. NF-κB sub-pathways and HIV cure: A revisit. EBioMedicine 2021; 63:103159. [PMID: 33340992 PMCID: PMC7750564 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.103159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV cure is thwarted by the presence of quiescent yet replication competent HIV-1 (HIV). Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is unable to eradicate reservoirs, and upon cessation of ART, HIV will rebound. This review encompasses the curative strategies of HIV in the context of NF-κB sub-pathways that are currently exploited and demonstrate promise in the disruption of latent HIV. Canonical NF-κB signaling has long been established to drive HIV proviral expression while noncanonical NF-κB signaling, a novel and perhaps more desirable mechanism of latency reversal due to its unique characteristics, has recently been shown to also promote HIV expression from latency. Furthermore, we discuss the previously unrecognized upstream signaling of NF-κB as a new avenue for exploration of a functional cure of HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilly M Wong
- UNC HIV Cure Center, Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases, United States
| | - Guochun Jiang
- UNC HIV Cure Center, Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7042, United States.
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Olson A, Basukala B, Lee S, Gagne M, Wong WW, Henderson AJ. Targeted Chromatinization and Repression of HIV-1 Provirus Transcription with Repurposed CRISPR/Cas9. Viruses 2020; 12:E1154. [PMID: 33053801 PMCID: PMC7600714 DOI: 10.3390/v12101154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The major barrier to HIV-1 cure is the persistence of latent provirus, which is not eradicated by antiretroviral therapy. The "shock and kill" approach entails stimulating viral production with latency-reversing agents followed by the killing of cells actively producing the virus by immune clearance. However, this approach does not induce all intact proviruses, leaving a residual reservoir. CRISPR/Cas9 has been utilized to excise integrated Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) DNA from infected cells in an RNA-guided, sequence-specific manner. Here, we seek to epigenetically silence the proviral DNA by introducing nuclease-deficient disabled Cas9 (dCas9) coupled with a transcriptional repressor domain derived from Kruppel-associated box (KRAB). We show that specific guide RNAs (gRNAs) and dCas9-KRAB repress HIV-1 transcription and reactivation of latent HIV-1 provirus. This repression is correlated with chromatin changes, including decreased H3 histone acetylation and increased histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation, histone marks that are associated with transcriptional repression. dCas9-KRAB-mediated inhibition of HIV-1 transcription suggests that CRISPR can be engineered as a tool for block-and-lock strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Olson
- Department of Medicine and Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (A.O.); (M.G.)
| | - Binita Basukala
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA;
| | - Seunghee Lee
- Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (S.L.); (W.W.W.)
| | - Matthew Gagne
- Department of Medicine and Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (A.O.); (M.G.)
| | - Wilson W. Wong
- Biomedical Engineering and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (S.L.); (W.W.W.)
| | - Andrew J. Henderson
- Department of Medicine and Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (A.O.); (M.G.)
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Cary DC, Peterlin BM. Proteasomal Inhibition Potentiates Latent HIV Reactivation. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2020; 36:800-807. [PMID: 32683901 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2020.0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the success of antiretroviral therapy (ART), ART fails to eradicate the virus and HIV cure has remained beyond the reach of current treatments. ART targets replicating virally infected but not latently infected cells, which have limited expression of factors important for proliferation and cellular activity, including positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Levels of the cyclin T1 (CycT1) subunit of P-TEFb are low to absent in resting T cells, and treatment with proteasome inhibitors (PIs) increases CycT1 protein levels to those of proliferating T cells. In this study, the clinically approved PI bortezomib reactivated latent HIV in latently infected primary CD4+ T cells. Bortezomib not only increased levels of CycT1 but also activated NF-κB. Strikingly, as opposed to most currently researched latency reversing agents (LRAs), bortezomib did not require a second LRA to potently reactivate latent HIV. Effects of bortezomib on resting T cells and reactivation of HIV suggest a possible direction for future attempts to diminish the viral reservoir in HIV+ individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele C. Cary
- Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - B. Matija Peterlin
- Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Key Players in HIV-1 Transcriptional Regulation: Targets for a Functional Cure. Viruses 2020; 12:v12050529. [PMID: 32403278 PMCID: PMC7291152 DOI: 10.3390/v12050529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 establishes a life-long infection when proviral DNA integrates into the host genome. The provirus can then either actively transcribe RNA or enter a latent state, without viral production. The switch between these two states is governed in great part by the viral protein, Tat, which promotes RNA transcript elongation. Latency is also influenced by the availability of host transcription factors, integration site, and the surrounding chromatin environment. The latent reservoir is established in the first few days of infection and serves as the source of viral rebound upon treatment interruption. Despite effective suppression of HIV-1 replication by antiretroviral therapy (ART), to below the detection limit, ART is ineffective at reducing the latent reservoir size. Elimination of this reservoir has become a major goal of the HIV-1 cure field. However, aside from the ideal total HIV-1 eradication from the host genome, an HIV-1 remission or functional cure is probably more realistic. The “block-and-lock” approach aims at the transcriptional silencing of the viral reservoir, to render suppressed HIV-1 promoters extremely difficult to reactivate from latency. There are unfortunately no clinically available HIV-1 specific transcriptional inhibitors. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate latency is expected to provide novel targets to be explored in cure approaches.
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