HIV/AIDS remains a persistent global epidemic, affecting thousands of new individuals annually. A critical challenge in HIV treatment is the virus's ability to lie dormant in infected T cells, evading immune responses and existing antiretroviral therapies (ART). This latent HIV can reactivate unpredictably, leading to viral rebound and disease progression.
Dr. Rohan Fernandes, a professor at George Washington University, has pioneered an innovative solution using Prussian Blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) functionalized with latency-reversing agents (LRAs) and broadly neutralizing antibodies. This patented "shock and kill" approach specifically targets latent HIV reservoirs, reactivating the dormant virus and enabling its eradication.
Central to this breakthrough is the use of Poly(I:C), a synthetic analog of double-stranded RNA, conjugated to PBNPs. This design significantly enhances the reactivation of latent HIV compared to free Poly(I:C), effectively "shocking" the virus out of latency. Following reactivation, a second wave of PBNPs or complementary ART can "kill" the reactivated cells, eliminating the infection at its source.
This cutting-edge nanoparticle-based therapy has the potential to revolutionize HIV treatment by addressing latent reservoirs, representing a significant step toward a functional cure.
Figure 1: (A) Overview of the production process for Prussian Blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) conjugated with Poly(I:C) to reactivate latent HIV infection. (B). Enhanced reactivation of latent HIV-infected cells achieved using PBNPs conjugated with Poly(I:C).
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