Human brain organoids to investigate HIV infection and accelerate cure

University Medical Center Utrecht and Single Cell Discoveries will together evaluate the use of our novel human brain organoid model as an alternative to post-mortem human brain tissue in the investigation of HIV infection, persistence and cure.

Globally 38 million people are estimated to be living with HIV and need access to daily therapy. Implementation of antiretroviral therapy resulted in effective suppression of viral replication but does not cure HIV that can persist in cellular and anatomical reservoirs. The role of the central nervous system as a viral reservoir is still debated and an important reason for this knowledge gap is related to the inherent difficulties associated with (post-mortem) sampling of this unique tissue compartment and lack of a clinically relevant model system.

The proposition is that the novel human cerebral organoids, often referred to as ‘mini-brains’ may serve as a clinically relevant model system to investigate HIV infection of the brain. The impact of HIV infection on the central nervous system in post-mortem tissue will be investigated and compared to HIV infection and persistence in the ‘mini-brains’.

Together, organoids, including the human brain organoids are emerging as pivotal systems to reduce the number of animal experiments, to increase our understanding of disease development and provide an opportunity for personalised medicine.