ABT-263, a BCL-2 inhibitor, selectively eliminates latently HIV-1-infected cells without viral reactivation.

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) is a hazardous pathogen responsible for causing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV-1 provirus survives in latently infected cells for a long time, despite treatment with combinational anti-retroviral therapy (cART); therefore, it is considered as a...

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Main Authors: Jeong Eun Kang, Hyun Wook Seo, Dong-Eun Kim, Young Hyun Shin, Songmee Bae, Cheol-Hee Yoon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322962
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author Jeong Eun Kang
Hyun Wook Seo
Dong-Eun Kim
Young Hyun Shin
Songmee Bae
Cheol-Hee Yoon
author_facet Jeong Eun Kang
Hyun Wook Seo
Dong-Eun Kim
Young Hyun Shin
Songmee Bae
Cheol-Hee Yoon
author_sort Jeong Eun Kang
collection DOAJ
description Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) is a hazardous pathogen responsible for causing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV-1 provirus survives in latently infected cells for a long time, despite treatment with combinational anti-retroviral therapy (cART); therefore, it is considered as a major obstacle in HIV-1 treatment. Several strategies have been developed to selectively eliminate latently HIV-1-infected cells; however, clinical success has not yet been reported. Here, we identified several key factors associated with cell apoptosis, which were upregulated in latently infected cells. Subsequently, we screened compounds targeting these factors to selectively kill latently HIV-1-infected cells. Among these, ABT-263 (Navitoclax), a BCL-2 inhibitor, exhibited a potent and selective killing effect on latently HIV-1-infected cells and exerted synergistic effects with combinations of other compounds targeting myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1), X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), and BAX. In an ex vivo model, latently HIV-1-infected memory CD4+ T cells were efficiently eliminated via treatment with ABT-263 alone and its combinations with other modulatory compounds. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the balance of pro- and anti-apoptotic factors is crucial for the survival of latently HIV-1-infected cells. Thus, disrupting this balance using ABT-263 or combinations having ABT-263 without proviral reactivation may be useful for developing a novel strategy to eliminate latently infected cells in individuals infected with HIV-1.
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spelling doaj-art-976ab57e4e4e45579ead19ec1a316e932025-08-20T01:52:54ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01205e032296210.1371/journal.pone.0322962ABT-263, a BCL-2 inhibitor, selectively eliminates latently HIV-1-infected cells without viral reactivation.Jeong Eun KangHyun Wook SeoDong-Eun KimYoung Hyun ShinSongmee BaeCheol-Hee YoonHuman immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) is a hazardous pathogen responsible for causing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV-1 provirus survives in latently infected cells for a long time, despite treatment with combinational anti-retroviral therapy (cART); therefore, it is considered as a major obstacle in HIV-1 treatment. Several strategies have been developed to selectively eliminate latently HIV-1-infected cells; however, clinical success has not yet been reported. Here, we identified several key factors associated with cell apoptosis, which were upregulated in latently infected cells. Subsequently, we screened compounds targeting these factors to selectively kill latently HIV-1-infected cells. Among these, ABT-263 (Navitoclax), a BCL-2 inhibitor, exhibited a potent and selective killing effect on latently HIV-1-infected cells and exerted synergistic effects with combinations of other compounds targeting myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1), X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), and BAX. In an ex vivo model, latently HIV-1-infected memory CD4+ T cells were efficiently eliminated via treatment with ABT-263 alone and its combinations with other modulatory compounds. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the balance of pro- and anti-apoptotic factors is crucial for the survival of latently HIV-1-infected cells. Thus, disrupting this balance using ABT-263 or combinations having ABT-263 without proviral reactivation may be useful for developing a novel strategy to eliminate latently infected cells in individuals infected with HIV-1.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322962
spellingShingle Jeong Eun Kang
Hyun Wook Seo
Dong-Eun Kim
Young Hyun Shin
Songmee Bae
Cheol-Hee Yoon
ABT-263, a BCL-2 inhibitor, selectively eliminates latently HIV-1-infected cells without viral reactivation.
PLoS ONE
title ABT-263, a BCL-2 inhibitor, selectively eliminates latently HIV-1-infected cells without viral reactivation.
title_full ABT-263, a BCL-2 inhibitor, selectively eliminates latently HIV-1-infected cells without viral reactivation.
title_fullStr ABT-263, a BCL-2 inhibitor, selectively eliminates latently HIV-1-infected cells without viral reactivation.
title_full_unstemmed ABT-263, a BCL-2 inhibitor, selectively eliminates latently HIV-1-infected cells without viral reactivation.
title_short ABT-263, a BCL-2 inhibitor, selectively eliminates latently HIV-1-infected cells without viral reactivation.
title_sort abt 263 a bcl 2 inhibitor selectively eliminates latently hiv 1 infected cells without viral reactivation
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322962
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