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Efficient mRNA Delivery Reactivates Latent HIV in T Cells
- Researchers have developed an efficient mRNA delivery method to reactivate latent HIV in resting T cells, offering a potential path to reversing HIV latency for a cure.
- HIV latency, where the virus hides in dormant state within resting T cells, has been a barrier to complete cure efforts due to its ability to evade current therapies.
- The study published in Nature Communications showcases how mRNA delivery can awaken latent infected cells without broadly activating the immune system, a critical advancement.
- Utilizing lipid nanoparticle platforms, the researchers optimized mRNA delivery into resting T cells, overcoming challenges of low metabolic activity and stringent membrane controls.
- The delivered mRNA encodes viral proteins that selectively activate latent HIV genomes, offering precision reactivation without triggering harmful immune responses.
- Experiments on HIV-positive individuals showed successful viral gene expression reactivation from resting T cells without causing cellular exhaustion or apoptosis.
- The modular nature of mRNA constructs allows for fine-tuning of latency reversal strength and duration, promising personalized therapeutic approaches for HIV.
- Safety assessments demonstrated minimal inflammatory responses to mRNA-loaded nanoparticles, indicating a potential for safe human application.
- The study's insights into intracellular mRNA release pathways in resting T cells provide crucial knowledge for refining delivery systems in difficult cell types.
- The research opens possibilities beyond HIV, offering potential applications in treating other chronic infections and advancing immunotherapy and vaccine development.
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