Emory researchers are the first to show unprecedented control of SIV replication and decay of viral reservoirs by combining a stringent model of infection with the interruption of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The success of this immune-based approach follows the research team's identification of the mechanisms of action for PD1 and IL-10, molecules known to regulate HIV persistence and immune dysfunction. The study results are reported in Nature Immunology .
"This is a major advancement in the fight to reach an HIV cure, which will improve life for the 39 million people who live with the disease," says Rafick Sekaly, Ph.D., lead investigator of the study and co-director of a Martin Delaney Collaboratory for HIV Cure Research, "Reversing Immune Dysfunction for HIV-1 Eradication" (the RID HIV Collaboratory).
"Our work on PD1 and IL-10 that started more than 15 years ago led us to develop this in vivo intervention in nonhuman primates (NHPs). Having this increased understanding of PD1 and IL-10 will facilitate our team developing improved approaches to restore a deficient immune system, bolster immune interventions to improve control of chronic infections and even offer hope to better treat certain cancers," he continues. Critical to better understanding PD1 and IL-10 was the NHP component of this study, which included 28 ART-treated, SIV-infected rhesus macaques, an animal model highly characterized for SIV infection.
Mirko Paiardini, Ph.D., and Zachary Strongin led the resear.