Genomic-Regulation of Active Retroviral Elements as a Model for HIV Cure

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is a recently emerged retrovirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Whereas the human genome is comprised in large by remnants of retroviral genomes representing evolutionary-foot-prints of ancient retroviral activity, humans and non-human primates (NHP) alike have evolved a constellation of innate mechanisms to either silence or disable those still active genomic retroviral (L1) elements. In light of the global pandemic wrought by human infection with a retroviral member-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the challenges faced by attempts to eradicate integrated latent HIV provirus, we argue here that it is evidenced to postulate that those natural mechanisms for regulating active retroviral elements in man can artificially be harnessed to functionally cure HIV.