title: Gene therapy strategies to block HIV-1 replication by RNA interference.
abstract: The cellular mechanism of RNA interference (RNAi) plays an antiviral role in many organisms and can be used for the development of therapeutic strategies against viral pathogens. Persistent infections like the one caused by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) likely require a durable gene therapy approach. The continuous expression of the inhibitory RNA molecules in T cells is needed to effectively block HIV-1 replication. We discuss here several issues, ranging from the choice of RNAi inhibitor and vector system, finding the best target in the HIV-1 RNA genome, alternatively by targeting host mRNAs that encode important viral cofactors, to the setup of appropriate preclinical test systems. Finally, we briefly discuss the relevance of this topic for other viral pathogens that cause a chronic infection in humans.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Center for Infection and Immunity Amsterdam (CINIMA), Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam, K3-110 Meibergdreef 15, Amsterdam, 1105 AS, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Herrera-Carrillo
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Berkhout
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D034741:RNA, Small Interfering