Recent advances targeting innate immunity-mediated therapies against HIV-1 infection

Microbiol Immunol. 2012 Aug;56(8):497-505. doi: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2012.00485.x.

Abstract

Early defence mechanisms of innate immunity respond rapidly to infection against HIV-1 in the genital mucosa. Additionally, innate immunity optimises effective adaptive immune responses against persistent HIV infection. Recent research has highlighted the intrinsic roles of apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing, enzyme-catalytic, polypeptide-like 3G, tripartite motif-containing protein 5, tetherin, sterile α-motif and histidine/aspartic acid domain-containing protein 1 in restricting HIV-1 replication. Likewise, certain endogenously secreted antimicrobial peptides, namely α/β/θ-defensins, lactoferrins, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, trappin-2/elafin and macrophage inflammatory protein-3α are reportedly protective. Whilst certain factors directly inhibit HIV, others can be permissive. Interferon-λ3 exerts an anti-HIV function by activating Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription-mediated innate responses. Morphine has been found to impair intracellular innate immunity, contributing to HIV establishment in macrophages. Interestingly, protegrin-1 could be used therapeutically to inhibit early HIV-1 establishment. Moreover, chloroquine inhibits plasmacytoid dendritic cell activation and improves effective T-cell responses. This minireview summarizes the recently identified targets for innate immunity-mediated therapies and outlines the challenges that lie ahead in improving treatment of HIV infection.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / therapy*
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology*
  • Immunotherapy / methods*

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors