The paper shows a novel approach to controlling the spread of HIV.

What is it about?

Our previous studies showed that HIV replication depends on cellular cholesterol content, and that increasing cholesterol efflux from cells, and thus reducing intracellular cholesterol levels, potently suppresses HIV infection in cell culture. Here, we extend this observation to HIV-infected mice that carry human immune cells. We show that treatment of these animals with a chemical that stimulates synthesis of the cholesterol efflux transporters, and thus reduces intracellular cholesterol, lowers HIV viral load by over 2 logs. Cholesterol efflux stimulating drugs are being developed for treatment of athersclerosis, and our study shows that these drugs can be especially beneficial to HIV-infected subjects who suffer from both HIV infection and HIV-associated atherosclerosis.

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Why is it important?

Cholesterol efflux stimulating drugs are being developed for treatment of athersclerosis, and our study shows that these drugs can be especially beneficial to HIV-infected subjects who suffer from both HIV infection and HIV-associated atherosclerosis.

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