Identification of the hiding place of HIV-1

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is very potent in suppressing HIV-1 replication but it is not curative. HIV-1 persistence in reservoirs, and these are the major obstacle to an HIV-1 cure, as viral replication rapidly resumes after cART interruption. This consortium of scientists and industrial partners will set out to develop methods to eliminate the HIV-1 reservoirs as the most important step towards HIV-1 cure.

The focus will be on antigen presenting cells such as dendritic cells and macrophages. These cells are readily infected by HIV-1 and there is evidence that the virus can also persist within these cells. Innovative assays will be developed to detect latent infected dendritic cells and macrophages. Tools developed in the immunotherapy against cancer will be used to eliminate these cells. Moreover, cellular proteins and pathways  will be identified that are specifically expressed in latently infected cells and can serve as novel therapeutic targets to eliminate the myeloid viral reservoir.

The participation of the industry partners, and involvement of clinicians and the HIV-1 infected community ensures translation to clinical methods/treatments.