Humanized Mice for Studies of HIV-1 Persistence and Elimination

A major roadblock to achieving a cure for human immunodeficiency virus type one (HIV-1) is the persistence of latent viral infections in cells and tissue compartments an infected host. Latent HIV-1 proviral DNA persists resting memory CD4+ T mononuclear phagocytes (MPs; macrophages, microglia, dendritic cells). Tissue reservoirs both cell types reside gut, lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen, liver, kidney, skin, adipose tissue, reproductive organs, brain. However, despite identification virus-susceptible cells, several limitations persist identifying broad persons. The include their relatively low abundance, precise latently lack biomarkers cells. While primary MP transformed lines are used interrogate mechanisms persistence, they often fail accurately reflect host environments that carry infections. Given specificity HIV-1, there few animal models replicate natural course infection with any precision. These needs underlie importance humanized mouse as valuable cost-effective tools studying latency subsequently means eliminating it. In this review, we discuss advantages mice studies eye toward using these test antiretroviral excision therapeutics. goals research use address how under which circumstances can be detected eliminated. Targeting ultimate task at hand.