Robust and persistent reactivation of SIV and HIV by N-803 and depletion of CD8⁺ cells.

ABSTRACT: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) persists indefinitely in individuals with HIV who receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) owing to a reservoir of latently infected cells that contain replication-competent virus^1-4. Here, to better understand the mechanisms responsible for latency persistence and reversal, we used the interleukin-15 superagonist N-803 in conjunction with the depletion of CD8⁺ lymphocytes in ART-treated macaques infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). Although N-803 alone did not reactivate virus production, its administration after the depletion of CD8⁺ lymphocytes in conjunction with ART treatment induced robust and persistent reactivation of the virus in vivo. We found viraemia of more than 60 copies per ml in all macaques (n = 

SUBMITTER: McBrien JB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7580846 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature