Sex hormone receptors regulate HIV latency
New research suggests that the estrogen receptor (ESR-1) is important in controlling HIV latency. In lab models of latent HIV and in cells from people living with HIV, researchers studied the effects of compounds binding to ESR-1. The sex hormone estradiol strongly blocked HIV reactivation. Non-hormonal drugs that bind ESR-1 were weak HIV activators that sensitised cells to other latency-reversing agents. While ESR-1 is present and affects HIV latency in both sexes, women are more responsive to estradiol. This means less HIV that can be reactivated. Cure trials must address this so that a cure will work for women too!
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