Clearance of HIV infection by selective elimination of host cells capable of producing HIV

Min Li, Wei Liu, Tonya Bauch, Edward A. Graviss, Roberto C. Arduino, Jason T. Kimata, Min Chen, Jin Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

The RNA genome of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is reverse-transcribed into DNA and integrated into the host genome, resulting in latent infections that are difficult to clear. Here we show an approach to eradicate HIV infections by selective elimination of host cells harboring replication-competent HIV (SECH), which includes viral reactivation, induction of cell death, inhibition of autophagy and the blocking of new infections. Viral reactivation triggers cell death specifically in HIV-1-infected T cells, which is promoted by agents that induce apoptosis and inhibit autophagy. SECH treatments can clear HIV-1 in >50% mice reconstituted with a human immune system, as demonstrated by the lack of viral rebound after withdrawal of treatments, and by adoptive transfer of treated lymphocytes into uninfected humanized mice. Moreover, SECH clears HIV-1 in blood samples from HIV-1-infected patients. Our results suggest a strategy to eradicate HIV infections by selectively eliminating host cells capable of producing HIV.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number4051
Pages (from-to)4051
JournalNature Communications
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 13 2020

Keywords

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD34/metabolism
  • Apoptosis/drug effects
  • Autophagy/physiology
  • Azepines/pharmacology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
  • HIV Infections/prevention & control
  • HIV-1/pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Organophosphates/pharmacology
  • Piperazines/pharmacology
  • Pyridines/pharmacology
  • Pyrimidinones/pharmacology
  • RNA, Viral/metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
  • Triazoles/pharmacology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General
  • Physics and Astronomy(all)
  • Chemistry(all)
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)

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