A special session at the recent Australasian HIV/AIDS conference featured new research from the Kirby Institute. Dr Scott Ledger presented work on HIV gene therapy in mice. The results show blocking of both virus entry into cells and HIV production. He showed that a single stem cell treatment enabled mice to maintain CD4+ T cell…
The Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference (commonly known as ASHM after the organiser, the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine) was held online from 16-20 November 2020. Here are some highlights of cure-related presentations. Understanding HIV latency The HIV Cure presentations commenced with Professor Sharon Lewin (Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity). Professor Lewin introduced some of the…
‘Block and lock’ is an emerging option in the pursuit of an HIV cure. Kirby Institute researchers have developed an animated infographic on ‘block and lock’. This clearly describes the groundbreaking work to develop the approach. Watch the short video here: Professor Tony Kelleher spoke about the ‘block and lock’ strategy at the Australasian HIV&AIDS…
The only confirmed case of HIV cure, and two cases of long-term remission without treatment, are the result of stem cell transplants. In this article, we delve into the world of stem cell transplants and how they are being used in people living with HIV. To help, we have developed a transplantation glossary to explain…
Keystone symposia bring together focused groups of scientists to discuss unpublished research. They provide insights into the current thinking around scientific topics. This year’s Keystone symposium ‘Functional Cures and the Eradication of HIV’ took place in late March. We spoke to Kirby Institute researcher, Chantelle Ahlenstiel to find out what caught her attention. Can latent…
HIV integration into the host genome, forming the HIV reservoir, represents the major barrier to HIV eradication. It is not clear, however, how the HIV reservoir changes during long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART). Kevin Einkauf and colleagues have performed the first comprehensive study analyzing the intact integrated HIV virus. Profound changes in the structure and composition…
Yale researchers have highlighted the role of APOBEC3A (A3A) in sustaining HIV latency. A3A is typically found in immune cells such as macrophages. The new study shows that A3A is also found in CD4 T cells. Detailed experiments in lab models of HIV latency show that A3A blocks HIV reactivation. A3A binds directly to HIV,…
What might a functional cure for HIV look like? In a recent study, researchers assumed that HIV reactivation from latency occurs about once per week. They assessed three cure strategies: reducing the HIV reservoir, removing susceptible targets and eliciting immune control. A 1000-fold reservoir reduction would delay viral rebound by 20 years if treatment stopped….
Harvard researchers have published exciting results on a combination approach to tackling latent HIV. In a monkey model of HIV infection, the group combined the innate immune activating compound GS-9620 (a toll-like receptor 7 agonist) with the broadly neutralising antibody PGT121. The combination was given while infected monkeys were on treatment. When treatment stopped, the…
Reducing the persistent stigma and discrimination related to HIV infection drives clinician scientist Jintanat Ananworanich. Her research interests range from HIV infection in children to dissecting the very early stages of HIV infection in adults. We caught up with Dr Ananworanich while she was in Melbourne to deliver a public lecture at the Doherty Institute….
This beautiful photographic essay was compiled by The Alfred in Melbourne, and all credit for this article goes to their amazing teams and the people they care for. This article is shared with permission of The Alfred.
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Working together with researchers and clinicians at The Alfred, members of the community of people living with HIV in Victoria have been integral to progressing ...
