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Fombellida-Lopez C, Berkhout B, Darcis G, Pasternak AO. Persistent HIV-1 transcription during ART: time to reassess its significance? Curr Opin HIV AIDS 2024; 19:124-132. [PMID: 38502547 PMCID: PMC10990031 DOI: 10.1097/coh.0000000000000849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-1 reservoirs persist and reignite viral replication if therapy is interrupted. Persistence of the viral reservoir in people with HIV-1 (PWH) is the main obstacle to an HIV-1 cure. The reservoirs are not transcriptionally silent, and viral transcripts can be detected in most ART-treated individuals. Here, we review the recent progress in the characterization of persistent HIV-1 transcription during ART. RECENT FINDINGS Evidence from several studies indicates that, although cell-associated unspliced (US) HIV-1 RNA is abundantly expressed in ART-treated PWH, intact full-length US transcripts are rare and most US RNA is derived from defective proviruses. The transcription- and translation-competent defective proviruses, previously considered irrelevant, are increasingly being linked to residual HIV-1 pathogenesis under suppressive ART. Recent data suggest a continuous crosstalk between the residual HIV-1 activity under ART and the immune system. Persistent HIV-1 transcription on ART, despite being mostly derived from defective proviruses, predicts viral rebound upon therapy interruption, suggesting its role as an indicator of the strength of the host antiviral immune response that is shaping the viral rebound. SUMMARY In light of the recent findings, the significance of persistent HIV-1 transcription during ART for the long-term health of PWH and the cure research should be reassessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Fombellida-Lopez
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, GIGA-Institute, University of Liège
| | - Ben Berkhout
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gilles Darcis
- Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, GIGA-Institute, University of Liège
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Alexander O. Pasternak
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Wang Z. Novel diarylpyrimidine subtypes as HIV-1 nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors with improved resistance profile. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29553. [PMID: 38516803 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhengqiang Wang
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Oomen PGA, Dijkstra S, Hofstra LM, Nijhuis MM, Verbon A, Mudrikova T, Wensing AMJ, Hoepelman AIM, Van Welzen BJ. Integrated analysis of viral blips, residual viremia, and associated factors in people with HIV: Results from a retrospective cohort study. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29178. [PMID: 37861450 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
The etiology of viral blips is not yet fully elucidated. One of the hypotheses is that blips reflect variations in residual viremia (RV) near the detectability threshold. In this study, we evaluated whether RV is associated with viral blips and which factors are associated with RV. All treatment regimens in 2010-2020 consisting of two nucleos(-t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors and one anchor (integrase strand transfer inhibitor [INSTI], non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor [NNRTI], or protease inhibitor [PI]) in people with HIV (PWH) were evaluated for RV (detectable viremia <50 cp/mL) and blips (isolated viral loads [VLs] 50-499 cp/mL between measurements <50 cp/mL). All medical records were reviewed and regimens in which a VL ≥ 50 cp/mL was deemed to result from non-adherence (based on the documented conclusion by the treating physician) were excluded. Factors associated with blips and RV were identified using generalized linear mixed models. In total, 24 518 VLs from 1658 PWH were analyzed. VLs were measured during INSTI- (n = 5119; 20.9%), PI- (n = 8935; 36.4%), and NNRTI-use (n = 10 464; 42.7%). VLs were categorized as blips in 1.4% (n = 332). The 24,186 non-blip VLs were RNAneg (no RV) (n = 15 326; 63.4%), 1-19 cp/mL (n = 6318; 26.1%), 20-49 cp/mL (n = 1620; 6.7%), or <50 cp/mL with an unknown RV level (n = 922; 3.8%). In 193/1658 PWH (11.6%), the RV level was RNAneg in all VLs assessed. RV 1-19 cp/mL and 20-49 cp/mL (vs. RNAneg ) were significantly associated with subsequent viral blips (respective odds ratio 2.66 and 4.90 [95% confidence intervals: 1.98-3.58 and 3.41-7.04]). Zenith VL and use of PIs (vs. INSTIs/NNRTIs) were associated with higher RV and blip odds. This large cohort study showed that blips were associated with higher preceding RV. Both the anchor type and factors previously linked to the latent viral reservoir were associated with RV, suggesting blips having a multifactorial origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick G A Oomen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Suzan Dijkstra
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - L Marije Hofstra
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Translational Virology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Monique M Nijhuis
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Translational Virology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Annelies Verbon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tania Mudrikova
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Annemarie M J Wensing
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Translational Virology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Ezintsha, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Andy I M Hoepelman
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Berend J Van Welzen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Neary J, Fish CS, Cassidy NAJ, Wamalwa D, Langat A, Ngugi E, Benki-Nugent S, Moraa H, Richardson BA, Njuguna I, Slyker JA, Lehman DA, John-Stewart G. Predictors of intact HIV DNA levels among children in Kenya. AIDS 2023; 37:871-876. [PMID: 36723512 PMCID: PMC10079608 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We determined predictors of both intact (estimate of replication-competent) and total (intact and defective) HIV DNA in the reservoir among children with HIV. DESIGN HIV DNA in the reservoir was quantified longitudinally in children who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) at less than 1 year of age using a novel cross-subtype intact proviral DNA assay that measures both intact and total proviruses. Quantitative PCR was used to measure pre-ART cytomegalovirus (CMV) viral load. Linear mixed effects models were used to determine predictors of intact and total HIV DNA levels (log 10 copies/million). RESULTS Among 65 children, median age at ART initiation was 5 months and median follow-up was 5.2 years; 86% of children had CMV viremia pre-ART. Lower pre-ART CD4 + percentage [adjusted relative risk (aRR): 0.87, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 0.79-0.97; P = 0.009] and higher HIV RNA (aRR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.06-1.39; P = 0.004) predicted higher levels of total HIV DNA during ART. Pre-ART CD4 + percentage (aRR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.65-0.89; P < 0.001), CMV viral load (aRR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.01-1.34; P = 0.041), and first-line protease inhibitor-based regimens compared with nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase-based regimens (aRR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.04-1.77; P = 0.025) predicted higher levels of intact HIV DNA. CONCLUSION Pre-ART immunosuppression, first-line ART regimen, and CMV viral load may influence establishment and sustainment of intact HIV DNA in the reservoir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian Neary
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington
| | | | | | - Dalton Wamalwa
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Agnes Langat
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Evelyn Ngugi
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Hellen Moraa
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Barbra A Richardson
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Global Health
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Irene Njuguna
- Department of Global Health
- Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jennifer A Slyker
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington
- Department of Global Health
| | - Dara A Lehman
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Global Health
| | - Grace John-Stewart
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington
- Department of Global Health
- Department of Medicine
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Pasternak AO, Berkhout B. HIV persistence: silence or resistance? Curr Opin Virol 2023; 59:101301. [PMID: 36805974 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2023.101301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades of suppressive antiretroviral therapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reservoirs in infected individuals persist and fuel viral rebound once therapy is interrupted. The persistence of viral reservoirs is the main obstacle to achieving HIV eradication or a long-term remission. The last decade has seen a profound change in our understanding of the mechanisms behind HIV persistence, which appears to be much more complex than originally assumed. In addition to the persistence of transcriptionally silent proviruses in a stable latent reservoir that is invisible to the immune system, HIV is increasingly recognized to persist by resistance to the immune clearance, which appears to play a surprisingly prominent role in shaping the reservoir. In this review, we discuss some emerging insights into the mechanisms of HIV persistence, as well as their implications for the development of strategies towards an HIV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander O Pasternak
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Ben Berkhout
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Qualitative plasma viral load determination as a tool for screening of viral reservoir size in PWH. AIDS 2022; 36:1761-1768. [PMID: 36172869 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Suppression of viral replication in patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is determined by plasma viral load (pVL) measurement. Whenever pVL reaches values below the limit of quantification, the qualitative parameter 'target detected' or 'target not detected' is available but often not reported to the clinician. We investigated whether qualitative pVL measurements can be used to estimate the viral reservoir size. DESIGN The study recruited 114 people with HIV (PWH) who are stable on ART between 2016 and 2018. The percentage of pVL measurements qualitatively reported as 'target detected' (PTD) within a 2-year period was calculated. METHODS t-DNA and US-RNA were used to estimate viral reservoir size and were quantified on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using droplet digital PCR. RESULTS A median of 6.5 pVL measurements over a 2-year period was evaluated for each participant to calculate PTD. A positive correlation was found between t-DNA and PTD (r = 0.24; P = 0.011) but not between US-RNA and PTD (r = 0.1; P = 0.3). A significantly lower PTD was observed in PWH with a small viral reservoir, as estimated by t-DNA less than 66 copies/106 PBMCs and US-RNA less than 10 copies/106 PBMCs, compared with PWH with a larger viral reservoir (P = 0.001). We also show that t-DNA is detectable whenever PTD is higher than 56% and that ART regimen does not affect PTD. CONCLUSION Our study shows that PTD provides an efficient parameter to preselect participants with a small viral reservoir based on already available pVL data for future HIV cure trials.
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Adams P, Berkhout B, Pasternak AO. Towards a molecular profile of antiretroviral therapy-free HIV remission. Curr Opin HIV AIDS 2022; 17:301-307. [PMID: 35938464 DOI: 10.1097/coh.0000000000000749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To summarize the current status and highlight recent findings on predictive biomarkers for posttreatment HIV control (PTC) and virological remission. While historically, many studies focused on virological markers, there is an increasing tendency to enter immune and metabolic factors into the equation. RECENT FINDINGS On the virological side, several groups reported that cell-associated HIV RNA could predict time to viral rebound. Recent data hints at the possible importance of the genic location and chromatin context of the integrated provirus, although these factors still need to be assessed in relation to PTC and virological remission. Evidence from immunological studies highlighted innate and humoral immunity as important factors for prolonged HIV remission. Interestingly, novel metabolic markers have emerged, which offer additional angles to our understanding of latency and viral rebound. SUMMARY Facilitating PTC and virological remission remain top priorities for the HIV cure research. We advocate for clear and precise definitions for both phenomena in order to avoid misconceptions and to strengthen the conclusions that can be drawn. As no one-size-fits-all marker has emerged yet, more biomarkers are on the horizon, and viral rebound is a complex and heterogeneous process, it is likely that a combination of various biomarkers in cohesion will be necessary for a more accurate prediction of antiretroviral therapy-free HIV remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Adams
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Loos NHC, Beijnen JH, Schinkel AH. The Mechanism-Based Inactivation of CYP3A4 by Ritonavir: What Mechanism? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179866. [PMID: 36077262 PMCID: PMC9456214 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ritonavir is the most potent cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitor in clinical use and is often applied as a booster for drugs with low oral bioavailability due to CYP3A4-mediated biotransformation, as in the treatment of HIV (e.g., lopinavir/ritonavir) and more recently COVID-19 (Paxlovid or nirmatrelvir/ritonavir). Despite its clinical importance, the exact mechanism of ritonavir-mediated CYP3A4 inactivation is still not fully understood. Nonetheless, ritonavir is clearly a potent mechanism-based inactivator, which irreversibly blocks CYP3A4. Here, we discuss four fundamentally different mechanisms proposed for this irreversible inactivation/inhibition, namely the (I) formation of a metabolic-intermediate complex (MIC), tightly coordinating to the heme group; (II) strong ligation of unmodified ritonavir to the heme iron; (III) heme destruction; and (IV) covalent attachment of a reactive ritonavir intermediate to the CYP3A4 apoprotein. Ritonavir further appears to inactivate CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 with similar potency, which is important since ritonavir is applied in patients of all ethnicities. Although it is currently not possible to conclude what the primary mechanism of action in vivo is, it is unlikely that any of the proposed mechanisms are fundamentally wrong. We, therefore, propose that ritonavir markedly inactivates CYP3A through a mixed set of mechanisms. This functional redundancy may well contribute to its overall inhibitory efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy H. C. Loos
- The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Division of Pharmacology, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jos H. Beijnen
- Faculty of Science, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
- The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Division of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alfred H. Schinkel
- The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Division of Pharmacology, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-205122046
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