Novel strategies for eliminating HIV reservoirs in lymphoid tissues

Tulane University Of Louisiana, New Orleans LA

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Abstract

? DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Highly active antiretroviral therapy has dramatically reduced HIV-1 replication and viremia below the clinical limit of detection, and slows the rate of progression to AIDS. However, residual viral reservoirs still persist in a latent state in the formof integrated and transcriptionally silent proviruses, despite long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART), resulting in lifelong infection and viral rebounds in HIV-1-infected individuals upon ART cessation. The major obstacle to a cure for HIV infection is how to purge the persistently and latently HIV- infected cells in recessed tissues, especially in germinal centers (GC) of organized lymphoid tissues. With our novel-modulatory therapeutic strategy, we will reverse latently virus-infected cells, block replenishment of new reservoirs in GC, while simultaneously eliciting subdominant IgM responses in macaques on suppressive ART. To accomplish this we will sequentially administer ART, combined with the PKC activator prostratin (PRO) and immunomodulatory mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (RAPA) followed by anti-HIV-1 envelope antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) to eliminate residual infected cells. We hypothesize this comprehensive shock and kill strategy will also result in restoration of CTL function and improved antibody responses in infected hosts, which combined, may result in a sterilizing, or at least a functional cure for HIV in patients. The feasibility, safety, and efficacy of this cure strategy will be tested in the highly relevant SHIV model of HIV infection in rhesus macaques. Our long-term goal is to develop a sterilizing cure for HIV infected patients, and these studies will provide critical information as to the feasibility and practicality of this ambitious goal.