Photoinduced Photosensitizer–Antibody Conjugates Kill HIV Env-Expressing Cells, Also Inactivating HIV

HIV-infected cells persist for decades in patients administered with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Meanwhile, an alarming surge drug-resistant HIV viruses has been occurring. Addressing these issues, we propose the application of photoimmunotherapy (PIT) against not only Env-expressing but also HIV. Previously, showed that a human anti-gp41 antibody (7B2) conjugated to cationic or anionic photosensitizers (PSs) could specifically target and kill cells. Here, our photolysis studies revealed binding photoimmunoconjugates (PICs) on membrane is sufficient induce necrotic cell death due physical damage by singlet oxygen, which independent type PSs. This finding persuaded us study virus photoinactivation PICs using two HIV-1 strains, X4 NL4-3 JR-CSF virus. We observed destroy viral probably via envelope. In conclusion, report PIT as possible dual-tool immunotherapy ART killing HIV-expressing cell-free HIV, respectively.