The study authors focused on plasma stem cells (pDCs), a rare type of immune cell that plays a pivotal role in early defense against viruses. During chronic HIV infection, these cells become overactive, causing persistent immune inflammation. This constant activation weakens antiviral T cells, allowing HIV to remain dormant in reservoirs.
Experiments in mice have shown that suppressing the overactivity of plasma stem cells helps restore antiviral T cell function and reduce viral reservoirs. When this approach is combined with the use of an immune checkpoint inhibitor—a treatment that "activates" depleted immune cells—the immune response improves significantly.
Researchers indicate that the interferon pathway in plasma stem cells is crucial for antiviral defense, but its overactivation may impair immune control of HIV. This finding helps explain the persistence of immune inflammation in infected patients, even those undergoing treatment, and accounts for the failure to completely eliminate the virus.
The research supervisor, Professor Lou Lishan, said: "This research is the result of our 10 years of work studying the complex role of plasma stem cells in HIV-related diseases. The research has shown that the immune system's attempts to fight infection can sometimes turn against the body itself, and we have discovered new ways of treatment by restoring balance to this system."
Although most of the research was conducted on laboratory and animal models, the main findings were confirmed on blood samples taken from patients infected with HIV.
Immunologist Li Guangming added: "Future research will need to determine whether the temporary effect on these immune cells can safely restore immune balance and contribute to the development of HIV treatment strategies."
The research findings were published in the journal Science Translational Medicine
