The Role of the BCL-2 Family of Proteins in HIV-1 Pathogenesis and Persistence.

The Role of the BCL-2 Family of Proteins in HIV-1 Pathogenesis and Persistence.
Clin Microbiol Rev. 2019 Dec 18;33(1):
Authors: Chandrasekar AP, Cummins NW, Badley AD
Abstract
SUMMARYAdvances in HIV-1 therapy have transformed the once fatal infection into a manageable, chronic condition, yet the search for a widely applicable approach to cure remains elusive. The ineffectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in reducing the size of the HIV-1 latent reservoir has prompted investigation into the mechanisms of HIV-1 latency and immune escape. One of the major regulators of apoptosis, the BCL-2 protein, alongside its homologous family members, is a major target of HIV-1-induced change. Recent studies have now demonstrated the association of this protein with cells that support proviral forms in the setting of latency and have helped identify BCL-2 as a novel and promising therapeutic target for HIV-1 therapy directed at possible cure. This review aims to systematically review the interactions of HIV-1 with BCL-2 and its homologs and to examine the possibility of using BCL-2 inhibitors in the study and elimination of the latent reservoir.
PMID: 31666279 [PubMed - in process]

Source: Clinical Microbiology Reviews - November 1, 2019 Category: Microbiology Authors: Chandrasekar AP, Cummins NW, Badley AD Tags: Clin Microbiol Rev Source Type: research