Effect of TRAIL on HIV Burden
Author Information
Author(s): Shepard Brett D., De Forni Davide, McNamara David R., Foli Andrea, Rizza Stacey A., Abraham Roshini S., Knutson Keith, Wettstein Peter J., Lori Franco, Badley Andrew D.
Primary Institution: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
Hypothesis
All cells that contain virus, including those productively- and latently-infected, have necessarily been 'primed' by gp120 and remain TRAIL-sensitive.
Conclusion
TRAIL treatment may be an important adjunct to antiretroviral therapy, even in patients with suppressed viral replication.
Supporting Evidence
- TRAIL treatment reduced viral burden in lymphocytes from HIV-infected patients.
- TRAIL did not alter the cytokine milieu of treated cells.
- TRAIL treatment had no adverse effect on immune cell quantity or function.
Takeaway
This study found that a treatment called TRAIL can help reduce the amount of HIV in the body without harming healthy immune cells.
Methodology
The study evaluated the effects of TRAIL on peripheral blood lymphocytes from HIV-infected patients with suppressed viral replication using various assays.
Limitations
The study does not address the long-term effects of TRAIL treatment or its efficacy in patients with unsuppressed viral loads.
Participant Demographics
Participants were HIV-infected individuals with suppressed viral replication and CD4+ counts greater than 150 cells/mL.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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