Human lymphoid tissues are highly diverse and complex in structure, function, and anatomic distribution, and have been shown to function as effective shelters for replication-competent HIV proviruses possibly due to the richness of CD4+ T lymphocytes, the target cells of HIV infection.
Our lab utilizes a rhesus macaque model that permits extensive tissue sampling to study peripheral lymph nodes, mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, the gut-associated lymphoid tissues, and more to investigate the viral latency under antiretroviral therapy as well as the potential origin of rebounding virus during antiretroviral therapy cessation.
The lab also uses one of the leading strategies called “shock and kill” with a combination of latency reversing agents and broad neutralizing antibodies to reduce the size of viral reservoirs in the tissues.