title: HIV-1 functional cure: will the dream come true?
abstract: The reservoir of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), a long-lived pool of latently infected cells harboring replication-competent viruses, is the major obstacle to curing acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Although the combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) can successfully suppress HIV-1 viremia and significantly delay the progression of the disease, it cannot eliminate the viral reservoir and the patient must continue to take anti-viral medicines for life. Currently, the appearance of the 'Berlin patient', the 'Boston patients', and the 'Mississippi baby' have inspired many therapeutic strategies for HIV-1 aimed at curing efforts. However, the specific eradication of viral latency and the recovery and optimization of the HIV-1-specific immune surveillance are major challenges to achieving such a cure. Here, we summarize recent studies addressing the mechanisms underlying the viral latency and define two categories of viral reservoir: 'shallow' and 'deep'. We also present the current strategies and recent advances in the development of a functional cure for HIV-1, focusing on full/partial replacement of the immune system, 'shock and kill', and 'permanent silencing' approaches.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. liuchao9@mail.sysu.edu.cn.|Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. liuchao9@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. maxc@mail2.sysu.edu.cn.|Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. maxc@mail2.sysu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Xiancai
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. lzlbf@hotmail.com.|Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. lzlbf@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Bingfeng
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. cathy-chencancan@163.com.|Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. cathy-chencancan@163.com.
authors.forename: Cancan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. zhangh92@mail.sysu.edu.cn.|Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. zhangh92@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology; D019468:Disease Management; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D017735:Virus Latency / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents