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Itisha Arya

Can CRISPR Cure HIV? Scientists Say Virus Removed From Cells In New Research

hiv cure crispr

Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, scientists, doctors, and public health experts have spent decades trying to understand the virus and control its spread. Modern treatments now allow people living with HIV to reduce the virus in their bodies to undetectable levels, helping them stay healthy while also preventing transmission to others. Still, these treatments do not eliminate the virus entirely. Now, new research exploring the use of CRISPR gene-editing technology has shown promising results. This raises a question that has lingered for years: are we any closer to a cure for HIV?

CRISPR, short for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, is a powerful gene-editing tool adapted from a natural defense system found in bacteria. It works by acting like precise molecular scissors that can cut, remove, or alter specific sections of DNA inside living cells. Scientists use a guide RNA to direct an enzyme, such as Cas9, to a targeted stretch of genetic material, allowing them to make exact changes. 

According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, CRISPR has transformed genetic research because it is faster, more accurate, and more affordable than older gene-editing methods, with applications across medicine, science, and agriculture.

<h2>CRISPR Slices HIV Out Of Infected Cells Completely</h2>

Researchers at Amsterdam UMC have used Nobel Prize-winning CRISPR gene-editing tools to remove HIV DNA from infected T cells. Their work focused on targeting the virus where it hides inside immune cells known as reservoirs. By attacking parts of the HIV genome that remain stable across different strains, the researchers were able to target the virus in several types of cells, as per BBC.

In laboratory studies, the team successfully eliminated HIV from T cells that typically allow the virus to resurface once antiretroviral treatment is stopped. Unlike current HIV medications, which keep the virus under control but do not remove it, CRISPR physically cuts the viral DNA out of dormant reservoir cells. These hidden cells have been one of the biggest obstacles to finding a cure for HIV for decades.

According to the National Institutes of Health, CRISPR can fight HIV in several ways.

Removing the virus: CRISPR can cut out HIV DNA that has integrated into a person’s own genetic material, effectively removing the virus from the cell. This approach has been demonstrated in studies highlighted by the NIH, the World Economic Forum, and other research bodies.

Blocking viral activity: The technology can also disrupt viral genes or target host cell receptors, such as CCR5, which HIV needs to enter cells. This helps prevent new infections from taking hold.

Multiple-target strategies: Scientists are developing approaches that use more than one guide RNA to attack different parts of the virus at the same time. This reduces the chances of HIV mutating and escaping treatment, according to reports from the NIH, Aidsmap, and the World Economic Forum.

Led by Dr Elena Herrera-Carrillo, the research team tested a CRISPR-Cas system using two guide RNAs aimed at conserved regions of the HIV genome. By focusing on these shared genetic sequences, the scientists hoped to create a treatment effective against many HIV variants. One major challenge they identified was the size of the delivery system used to transport the CRISPR components into cells. The vector carrying the gene-editing tools was initially too large.

To address this, the team tested different methods to shrink the CRISPR cassette and improve delivery. They compared several CRISPR-Cas systems derived from different bacteria in HIV-infected CD4+ T cells. Among them, saCas9 showed especially strong results. With one guide RNA, it completely shut down HIV activity, and with two guide RNAs, it fully removed viral DNA from the cells.

Reducing the vector size improved delivery efficiency, and the researchers were also able to target hidden HIV reservoir cells by focusing on proteins found on the surface of CD4+ and CD32a+ cells.

The researchers stated: “We have developed an effective combined CRISPR approach that attacks HIV in different cell types and in the locations where it hides. We also showed that these treatments can be delivered specifically to the cells that matter. This work marks an important step toward designing a cure strategy.”

Looking ahead, the authors explained that their next goal is to improve how the treatment is delivered so it reaches most HIV reservoir cells in the body. They plan to combine CRISPR-based therapies with receptor-targeting tools and move into preclinical testing to closely examine safety and effectiveness.

They added: “This will help ensure that CRISPR-Cas is delivered mainly to reservoir cells while avoiding healthy cells. Our aim is to make the system as safe as possible for future use in patients. Finding the right balance between effectiveness and safety is essential. Only then can clinical trials begin to explore whether this cure strategy can disable HIV reservoirs in humans.”

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Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, scientists, doctors, and public health experts have spent decades trying to understand the virus and control its spread. Modern treatments now allow people living with HIV to reduce the virus in their bodies to undetectable levels, helping them stay healthy while also preventing transmission to others. Still, these treatments do not eliminate the virus entirely. Now, new research exploring the use of CRISPR gene-editing technology has shown promising results. This raises a question that has lingered for years: are we any closer to a cure for HIV?What Is CRISPR?CRISPR, short for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, is a powerful gene-editing tool adapted from a natural defense system found in bacteria. It works by acting like precise molecular scissors that can cut, remove, or alter specific sections of DNA inside living cells. Scientists use a guide RNA to direct an enzyme, such as Cas9, to a targeted stretch of genetic material, allowing them to make exact changes. According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, CRISPR has transformed genetic research because it is faster, more accurate, and more affordable than older gene-editing methods, with applications across medicine, science, and agriculture.CRISPR Slices HIV Out Of Infected Cells CompletelyResearchers at Amsterdam UMC have used Nobel Prize-winning CRISPR gene-editing tools to remove HIV DNA from infected T cells. Their work focused on targeting the virus where it hides inside immune cells known as reservoirs. By attacking parts of the HIV genome that remain stable across different strains, the researchers were able to target the virus in several types of cells, as per BBC.In laboratory studies, the team successfully eliminated HIV from T cells that typically allow the virus to resurface once antiretroviral treatment is stopped. Unlike current HIV medications, which keep the virus under control but do not remove it, CRISPR physically cuts the viral DNA out of dormant reservoir cells. These hidden cells have been one of the biggest obstacles to finding a cure for HIV for decades.How CRISPR Works Against HIVAccording to the National Institutes of Health, CRISPR can fight HIV in several ways.Removing the virus: CRISPR can cut out HIV DNA that has integrated into a person’s own genetic material, effectively removing the virus from the cell. This approach has been demonstrated in studies highlighted by the NIH, the World Economic Forum, and other research bodies.Blocking viral activity: The technology can also disrupt viral genes or target host cell receptors, such as CCR5, which HIV needs to enter cells. This helps prevent new infections from taking hold.Multiple-target strategies: Scientists are developing approaches that use more than one guide RNA to attack different parts of the virus at the same time. This reduces the chances of HIV mutating and escaping treatment, according to reports from the NIH, Aidsmap, and the World Economic Forum.Study Details And Key FindingsLed by Dr Elena Herrera-Carrillo, the research team tested a CRISPR-Cas system using two guide RNAs aimed at conserved regions of the HIV genome. By focusing on these shared genetic sequences, the scientists hoped to create a treatment effective against many HIV variants. One major challenge they identified was the size of the delivery system used to transport the CRISPR components into cells. The vector carrying the gene-editing tools was initially too large.To address this, the team tested different methods to shrink the CRISPR cassette and improve delivery. They compared several CRISPR-Cas systems derived from different bacteria in HIV-infected CD4+ T cells. Among them, saCas9 showed especially strong results. With one guide RNA, it completely shut down HIV activity, and with two guide RNAs, it fully removed viral DNA from the cells.Reducing the vector size improved delivery efficiency, and the researchers were also able to target hidden HIV reservoir cells by focusing on proteins found on the surface of CD4+ and CD32a+ cells.The researchers stated: “We have developed an effective combined CRISPR approach that attacks HIV in different cell types and in the locations where it hides. We also showed that these treatments can be delivered specifically to the cells that matter. This work marks an important step toward designing a cure strategy.”What Happens Next?Looking ahead, the authors explained that their next goal is to improve how the treatment is delivered so it reaches most HIV reservoir cells in the body. They plan to combine CRISPR-based therapies with receptor-targeting tools and move into preclinical testing to closely examine safety and effectiveness.They added: “This will help ensure that CRISPR-Cas is delivered mainly to reservoir cells while avoiding healthy cells. Our aim is to make the system as safe as possible for future use in patients. Finding the right balance between effectiveness and safety is essential. Only then can clinical trials begin to explore whether this cure strategy can disable HIV reservoirs in humans.”

can crispr cure hiv? scientists say virus removed from cells in new research

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