Identifying and triggering apoptotic markers in HIV latent CD4+ T cells

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a global disease that has yet to be cured. Its most popular outbreak was in the 1980s. Current treatment involves holding the virus in its dormant phase using Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). By keeping the virus dormant, patients are able to live their lives normally without worry of the disease progressing. Although their quality of life and length improve, they are still limited by the daily medications they are required to take. Mishaps in following the medical plan can result in the virus spreading and gaining tolerance to the medication, deeming it ineffective. Genuine elimination of the virus will remedy this issue and truly give patients a better quality and length of life. In order to accomplish this goal, current research has been investigating ways to target the latent population of HIV. This study was aimed at understanding the role of BCL-2 in HIV latent immune cells, specifically CD4+ T cells. This was mainly accomplished by isolating Rhesus Macaque monkey peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Once the cells were isolated, they were stained with the appropriate antibodies to help in identifying specific subpopulations. These subpopulations were Monocytes, B cells, and T cells. BCL-2. OX40 and p27 levels of expression were analyzed and measured on these subsets. OX40 and p27 were also of interest because of the similar roles they play when viruses infect healthy cells. The results of this study showed high correlation between all three proteins (BCL-2, OX40, and p27) on latent infected CD4+ T cells. These correlations were transient through all subpopulations of PBMCs, as well as, Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) infected and non-infected specimens. Although no statistical test to prove significance was completed, these preliminary findings were promising for further studies.