Viral latency and potential eradication of HIV-1

Abstract

Keystone Symposium on Frontiers in HIV Pathogenesis, Therapy and Eradication

Whistler, BC, Canada, 26–31 March 2012

Although HAART can suppress plasma viral loads to undetectable levels, individuals infected with HIV-1 harbor latent reservoirs of integrated proviruses that re-emerge upon the cessation of drug treatment. The 2012 Keystone Symposium on Frontiers in HIV Pathogenesis, Therapy and Eradication highlighted the current understanding of latent infection and new methods to activate and target these reservoirs for eradication. This report focuses on a select few aspects of the discussion, including the extent that ongoing replication might contribute to the persistent viral reservoir, recent advances in activating the expression of latent proviruses, progress in developing effective animal models and potential avenues to eradicate the cells that constitute the latent reservoir.

Keywords::

• HAART
• HIV/AIDS
• HIV-1 activation
• HIV-1 replication
• viral latency

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to apologize to meeting speakers whose work was not covered due to space constraints.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, the NIH (EO Freed) and by NIH grants AI039394 and AI052014 (A Engelman). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.