Thiostrepton Reactivates Latent HIV-1 through the p-TEFb and NF-κB Pathways Mediated by Heat Shock Response

Abstract

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppresses HIV-1 replication but fails to cure the infection. The presence of an extremely stable viral latent reservoir, primarily in resting memory CD4 + T cells, remains a major obstacle to viral eradication. The “shock and kill” strategy targets these latently infected cells and boosts immune recognition and clearance, and thus, it is a promising approach for an HIV-1 functional cure. Although some latency-reversing agents (LRAs) have been reported, no apparent clinical progress has been made, so it is still vital to seek novel and effective LRAs.

Topics & Concepts