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Emerging Infectious Diseases Jun 2021June 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of the first description of AIDS. On the 30th anniversary, we defined priorities as improving use of existing interventions,... (Review)
Review
June 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of the first description of AIDS. On the 30th anniversary, we defined priorities as improving use of existing interventions, clarifying optimal use of HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy for prevention and treatment, continuing research, and ensuring sustainability of the response. Despite scientific and programmatic progress, the end of AIDS is not in sight. Other major epidemics over the past decade have included Ebola, arbovirus infections, and coronavirus disease (COVID-19). A benchmark against which to compare other global interventions is the HIV/AIDS response in terms of funding, coordination, and solidarity. Lessons from Ebola and HIV/AIDS are pertinent to the COVID-19 response. The fifth decade of AIDS will have to position HIV/AIDS in the context of enhanced preparedness and capacity to respond to other potential pandemics and transnational health threats.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; COVID-19; HIV Infections; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola; Humans; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34013858
DOI: 10.3201/eid2706.210284 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2023Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and HIV-induced acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) continue to represent a global health burden. There is currently... (Review)
Review
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and HIV-induced acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) continue to represent a global health burden. There is currently no effective vaccine, nor any cure, for HIV infections; existing antiretroviral therapy can suppress viral replication, but only as long as antiviral drugs are taken. HIV infects cells of the host immune system, and it can establish a long-lived viral reservoir, which can be targeted and edited through gene therapy. Gene editing platforms based on the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeat-Cas system (CRISPR-Cas) have been recognized as promising tools in the development of gene therapies for HIV infections. In this review, we evaluate the current landscape of CRISPR-Cas-based therapies against HIV, with an emphasis on the infection biology of the virus as well as the activity of host restriction factors. We discuss the potential of a combined CRISPR-Cas approach that targets host and viral genes to activate antiviral host factors and inhibit viral replication simultaneously. Lastly, we focus on the challenges and potential solutions of CRISPR-Cas gene editing approaches in achieving an HIV cure.
Topics: Humans; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; CRISPR-Cas Systems; HIV Infections; Gene Editing; Viruses; Antiviral Agents
PubMed: 36675077
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021563 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Mar 2018The goal of ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic is theoretically achievable and would require addressing this global health catastrophe on individual and global levels by... (Review)
Review
The goal of ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic is theoretically achievable and would require addressing this global health catastrophe on individual and global levels by providing optimal prevention strategies and treatment regimens for individual persons living with or at risk for HIV, as well as ending the pandemic as an epidemiologic and global health phenomenon. However, from a practical standpoint, the pathway to ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic will be difficult and will require aggressive implementation of the biomedical research advances that have been made in the areas of treatment and prevention; development of additional tools, such as a moderately effective HIV vaccine; and attention to critical behavioral and social determinants. An end to the HIV/AIDS pandemic can be achieved only with provision of sustained and additional resources at the local, regional, national, and global levels.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Global Health; HIV Infections; Humans; Pandemics
PubMed: 29460740
DOI: 10.3201/eid2403.171797 -
Journal of Leukocyte Biology Apr 2020The morbidity and mortality of HIV type-1 (HIV-1)-related diseases were dramatically diminished by the grounds of the introduction of potent antiretroviral therapy,... (Review)
Review
The morbidity and mortality of HIV type-1 (HIV-1)-related diseases were dramatically diminished by the grounds of the introduction of potent antiretroviral therapy, which induces persistent suppression of HIV-1 replication and gradual recovery of CD4 T-cell counts. However, ∼10-40% of HIV-1-infected individuals fail to achieve normalization of CD4 T-cell counts despite persistent virological suppression. These patients are referred to as "inadequate immunological responders," "immunodiscordant responders," or "immunological non-responders (INRs)" who show severe immunological dysfunction. Indeed, INRs are at an increased risk of clinical progression to AIDS and non-AIDS events and present higher rates of mortality than HIV-1-infected individuals with adequate immune reconstitution. To date, the underlying mechanism of incomplete immune reconstitution in HIV-1-infected patients has not been fully elucidated. In light of this limitation, it is of substantial practical significance to deeply understand the mechanism of immune reconstitution and design effective individualized treatment strategies. Therefore, in this review, we aim to highlight the mechanism and risk factors of incomplete immune reconstitution and strategies to intervene.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Immune Reconstitution
PubMed: 31965635
DOI: 10.1002/JLB.4MR1019-189R -
Cell Oct 2020The human immunodeficiency virus, the lentivirus that causes AIDS, is responsible for the most prevalent epidemic in the history of mankind. Here in this Timeline, we...
The human immunodeficiency virus, the lentivirus that causes AIDS, is responsible for the most prevalent epidemic in the history of mankind. Here in this Timeline, we have attempted to illustrate a short history of HIV-1, from its identification in landmark papers published by Robert Gallo, Myron Essex, and Luc Montagnier, to the numerous drug and vaccine trials as well as the stride toward a possible cure. Even today, a vaccine and cure against HIV-1 remains elusive. In spite of this, in the space of 30 years, from the time when being HIV positive meant an instant death sentence, to today where millions of HIV positive people are living normal lives, the progress we have made in such a short period of time should be celebrated. To view this Timeline, open or download the PDF.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; HIV Infections; HIV-1; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans
PubMed: 33064990
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.09.004 -
Current HIV/AIDS Reports Feb 2020The introduction of the National Free Antiretroviral Therapy Program (NFATP) in 2003 by the China National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention has led to dramatic... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The introduction of the National Free Antiretroviral Therapy Program (NFATP) in 2003 by the China National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention has led to dramatic increases in antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage among HIV-infected Chinese patients. Despite limitations in the number of available free antiretroviral drugs, the overall mortality associated with HIV/AIDS has dropped from 39.3 per 100 person-years in 2002 to 3.1 in 2014. In this review, we summarize the challenges, responses, and achievements of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in China over the past 20 years.
RECENT FINDINGS
Continuous optimization of the Chinese National Guidelines for HIV/AIDS Diagnosis and Treatment has been guided by data from serial domestic multi-center studies aimed at evaluating efficacy and toxicity of available ART regimens among Chinese patients with HIV, with the goal of maximizing adherence, access, and efficacy. In addition, increasing attention has been focused on the importance of continuity in the HIV care cascade to promote linkage to care, and address the multidisciplinary chronic care needs HIV/AIDS patients on lifelong ART. Great progress has been achieved in the past 20 years in terms of access to and optimization of antiretroviral treatment in China. As the number of patients receiving long-term ART continues to grow, the focus of HIV/AIDS treatment has gradually transitioned from urgent care to the management of non-AIDS-related chronic complications and control of chronic inflammation.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Adult; Anti-Retroviral Agents; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; China; Continuity of Patient Care; Female; HIV; Humans; Male; National Health Programs; Patient Compliance
PubMed: 31939111
DOI: 10.1007/s11904-019-00478-x -
Chinese Medical Journal Nov 2021In the past 37 years, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has undergone various major transmission routes in China, with the world...
In the past 37 years, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has undergone various major transmission routes in China, with the world most complex co-circulating HIV-1 subtypes, even the prevalence is still low. In response to the first epidemic outbreak of HIV in injecting drug users and the second one by illegal commercial blood collection, China issued the Anti-Drug Law and launched the Blood Donation Act and nationwide nucleic acid testing, which has avoided 98,232 to 211,200 estimated infections and almost ended the blood product-related infection. China has been providing free antiretroviral therapy (ART) since 2003, which covered >80% of the identified patients and achieved a viral suppression rate of 91%. To bend the curve of increasing the disease burden of HIV and finally end the epidemic, China should consider constraining HIV spread through sexual transmission, narrowing the gaps in identifying HIV cases, and the long-term effectiveness and safety of ART in the future.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; China; Disease Outbreaks; HIV Infections; Humans; Prevalence
PubMed: 34759226
DOI: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000001842 -
Annals of the New York Academy of... Dec 2016It has long been known that aging, at both the cellular and organismal levels, contributes to the development and progression of the pathology of many chronic diseases.... (Review)
Review
It has long been known that aging, at both the cellular and organismal levels, contributes to the development and progression of the pathology of many chronic diseases. However, much less research has examined the inverse relationship-the contribution of chronic diseases and their treatments to the progression of aging-related phenotypes. Here, we discuss the impact of three chronic diseases (cancer, HIV/AIDS, and diabetes) and their treatments on aging, putative mechanisms by which these effects are mediated, and the open questions and future research directions required to understand the relationships between these diseases and aging.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Aging; Chronic Disease; Diabetes Mellitus; Humans; Neoplasms
PubMed: 27943360
DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13299 -
European Review For Medical and... Dec 2015Neuro-AIDS is becoming a major health problem among AIDS patients who experience improved survival under combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Neuronal injury and loss... (Review)
Review
Neuro-AIDS is becoming a major health problem among AIDS patients who experience improved survival under combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Neuronal injury and loss are the critical issues of neuro-AIDS that need the entry of HIV into the central nervous system (CNS) via peripheral infected monocyte/macrophage carriers or viral direct penetration of blood-brain barrier (BBB). The mechanisms of HIV enhancing BBB permeability and entering CNS and the effect of drug abuse in HIV traffic across BBB are discussed. In addition, the current anti-HIV drugs, although they are effective in reducing plasma viral level, cannot eradicate the viruses completely from CNS. The possible mechanism of BBB hindrance and anti-HIV drug efflux by transport proteins, and general methods used to deliver antiretroviral drugs into brain are also discussed.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Anti-HIV Agents; Blood-Brain Barrier; Drug Delivery Systems; Humans; Nanoparticles
PubMed: 26744885
DOI: No ID Found -
Cells Dec 2023The treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) has evolved since the establishment of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the 1990s, providing... (Review)
Review
The treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) has evolved since the establishment of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the 1990s, providing HIV-infected individuals with approaches that suppress viral replication, prevent acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) throughout their lifetime with continuous therapy, and halt HIV transmission. However, despite the success of these regimens, the global HIV epidemic persists, prompting a comprehensive exploration of potential strategies for an HIV cure. Here, we offer a consolidated overview of cell-based therapies for HIV-1, focusing on CAR-T cell approaches, gene editing, and immune modulation. Persistent challenges, including CAR-T cell susceptibility to HIV infection, stability, and viral reservoir control, underscore the need for continued research. This review synthesizes current knowledge, highlighting the potential of cellular therapies to address persistent challenges in the pursuit of an HIV cure.
Topics: Humans; HIV Infections; HIV; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
PubMed: 38201268
DOI: 10.3390/cells13010064