RNomics of viral infections

Coordinator:		Prof. Dr. Lutz Walter
Institution:		Deutsches Primatenzentrum - Leibniz-Institut für Primatenforschung
Homepage:		dpz.eu

In this project we have studied small RNA molecules, which are regulated upon infection with the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1). These small RNAs are known to regulate the activity of genes (up or down-regulation) and, therefore, impact the various proteins that a single cell can produce. Using experimental in-vitro infection of cells, we could demonstrate changes in these small RNAs that are expressed by infected cells and that a particular small RNA was exploited by HIV to „hide“ inside cells, a reversible condition termed latency. Such latently infected cells are not targeted by the regular therapy to treat HIV infection and are a major source of virus reappearance upon transient discontinuation or abortion of drug therapy. Our studies showed that latency of experimentally infected cells in vitro can be abrogated by manipulation of this particular small RNA. In further studies we are trying to use this knowledge on manipulating HIV latency for future therapeutic improvements. Such a therapy should envisage keeping the reservoir of latently infected cells as small as possible in order to achieve longer intervals of the conventional anti-HIV drug treatment, which is frequently accompanied by strong side effects.