Physiopathology and Therapeutics of HIV Infection

Dear Colleagues,

HIV primarily targets the immune system, specifically CD4+ T cells, leading to their gradual depletion. This weakens the body's ability to fight infections and diseases, progressing to AIDS if untreated. The physiopathology of HIV infection begins with viral entry into CD4+ cells, followed by integration of its genetic material into the host's DNA. This leads to viral replication, CD4+ cell destruction, and immune system dysregulation. Chronic HIV infection also triggers chronic inflammation, contributing to organ damage over time.

The therapeutics for HIV focus on controlling viral replication through antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART involves a combination of drugs targeting different stages of the HIV life cycle. While ART does not cure HIV, it effectively suppresses the viral load, prevents immune system decline, and allows patients to live healthier lives with a significantly reduced risk of transmitting the virus.

However, HIV resistance to ART remains a significant challenge in the management of the virus. To combat this, new strategies are being developed. These include long-acting injectable therapies, which improve adherence by reducing the need for daily pills, and the use of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) that target multiple strains of HIV, limiting its ability to mutate. Additionally, gene-editing technologies, like CRISPR, are being explored to potentially eradicate latent HIV reservoirs in the body. Combining these innovative approaches with existing ART could improve treatment outcomes and reduce the global impact of drug-resistant HIV.

Dr. Inês Bártolo
Guest Editor

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