Researchers at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne have achieved a significant milestone in HIV research by developing a method to expose the virus hidden within white blood cells.
Utilizing a novel lipid nanoparticle (LNP) named LNP X, they successfully delivered mRNA into resting CD4+ T cells—cells that typically resist such delivery. This mRNA prompts the infected cells to reveal dormant HIV, a crucial step toward potential eradication. The study, published in Nature Communications, marks a promising advancement in the pursuit of an HIV cure.
This could potentially allow the immune system or drugs to identify the virus and clear it, meaning researchers are one step closer to a cure.
The approach has been tested in laboratory settings using cells from HIV-positive individuals, with plans for subsequent animal and human trials. If successful, this strategy could not only revolutionize HIV treatment but also have broader applications in diseases involving similar immune cells, such as certain cancers.
Source: Independent
