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Review
. 2024 May 1;19(3):141-149.
doi: 10.1097/COH.0000000000000848. Epub 2024 Feb 28.

Harnessing natural killer cells to target HIV-1 persistence

Vinita R Joshi  1 , Marcus Altfeld  2
Affiliations
Review

Harnessing natural killer cells to target HIV-1 persistence

Vinita R Joshi et al. Curr Opin HIV AIDS. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: The purpose of this article is to review recent advances in the role of natural killer (NK) cells in approaches aimed at reducing the latent HIV-1 reservoir.

Recent findings: Multiple approaches to eliminate cells harboring latent HIV-1 are being explored, but have been met with limited success so far. Recent studies have highlighted the role of NK cells and their potential in HIV-1 cure efforts. Anti-HIV-1 NK cell function can be optimized by enhancing NK cell activation, antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity, reversing inhibition of NK cells as well as by employing immunotherapeutic complexes to enable HIV-1 specificity of NK cells. While NK cells alone do not eliminate the HIV-1 reservoir, boosting NK cell function might complement other strategies involving T cell and B cell immunity towards an HIV-1 functional cure.

Summary: Numerous studies focusing on targeting latently HIV-1-infected cells have emphasized a potential role of NK cells in these strategies. Our review highlights recent advances in harnessing NK cells in conjunction with latency reversal agents and other immunomodulatory therapeutics to target HIV-1 persistence.

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