TY - JOUR
T1 - Models of HIV-1 persistence in the CD4 + T cell compartment
T2 - Past, present and future
AU - Tyagi, Mudit
AU - Romerio, Fabio
PY - 2011/12
Y1 - 2011/12
N2 - The limitations of current anti-retroviral therapies (ART) and the lack of a valid anti-HIV-1 vaccine candidate underscore the need for new therapeutic concepts aiming at the eradication of HIV-1, which represents at the same time an ideal goal and a major challenge for AIDS research. At present, this aim is unattainable due to the existence of cellular and anatomical reservoirs of persistent infection. Memory CD4 + T cells comprise the largest pool of cells harboring silent, stably integrated HIV-1, which remains undetected by the immune system and refractory to conventional anti-retroviral drugs. The eradication of latent HIV-1 reservoirs will require new, potent and specific therapeutic strategies, which in turn must rely upon a deeper understanding of HIV-1 latency. To facilitate the advancement of our knowledge in this new area of research, several in vitro models of HIV-1 latency in CD4 + T cells have been established. Here, we dissect and critically compare the rationale behind each experimental approach. Furthermore, we outline new avenues of research that will benefit from these models, including the push toward the development of new classes of viral eradication drugs.
AB - The limitations of current anti-retroviral therapies (ART) and the lack of a valid anti-HIV-1 vaccine candidate underscore the need for new therapeutic concepts aiming at the eradication of HIV-1, which represents at the same time an ideal goal and a major challenge for AIDS research. At present, this aim is unattainable due to the existence of cellular and anatomical reservoirs of persistent infection. Memory CD4 + T cells comprise the largest pool of cells harboring silent, stably integrated HIV-1, which remains undetected by the immune system and refractory to conventional anti-retroviral drugs. The eradication of latent HIV-1 reservoirs will require new, potent and specific therapeutic strategies, which in turn must rely upon a deeper understanding of HIV-1 latency. To facilitate the advancement of our knowledge in this new area of research, several in vitro models of HIV-1 latency in CD4 + T cells have been established. Here, we dissect and critically compare the rationale behind each experimental approach. Furthermore, we outline new avenues of research that will benefit from these models, including the push toward the development of new classes of viral eradication drugs.
KW - HIV-1
KW - In vitro models
KW - Latency
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U2 - 10.2174/157016211798998754
DO - 10.2174/157016211798998754
M3 - Article
C2 - 22211662
AN - SCOPUS:84856448350
SN - 1570-162X
VL - 9
SP - 579
EP - 587
JO - Current HIV research
JF - Current HIV research
IS - 8
ER -