Researchers at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) have developed a therapeutic approach to restore the effectiveness of immune cells. The study, led by Professor Julien van Grevenynghe and doctoral student Hamza Loucif, was published in the journal,Autophagy.
Typically, HIV-1 patients require daily antiretroviral therapy to control the infection. It is common for significant side effects to occur without fully restoring the normal functioning of the immune system. However, a group of patients, known as "elite controllers", are able to live with the infection without any drug intervention.
"They represent an incredible model for detecting, at the molecular level, what needs to be improved for other patients," says Professor Julien van Grevenynghe. "That's why the team of immunologists wanted to find out what differentiates them from conventionally treated patients to develop new weapons against infection."
Energy metabolism within CD8 Lymphocytes is the main reason elite controllers are capable of such strength against the virus.
"Cells require energy, produced in the mitochondria to protect the body and carry out their functions. However, this energy is not used effectively by treated patients. Due to a deregulation of the metabolism, the cells are weakened in their immune function," explains Professor van Grevenynghe, who has worked on HIV for 15 years.
"These results have an undeniable therapeutic interest, as the protein already exists! Moreover, the mere fact that elite controllers exist is proof in itself that we will one day be able to survive the infection without aggressive treatment," Professor van Grevenynghe continues. "We might ultimately be thinking about ending the treatment. The cells could also respond better to vaccination and treatment with better energy efficiency."