• Metabolic restoration in HIV-infected pa

    From ScienceDaily@1:317/3 to All on Thu Oct 14 21:30:42 2021
    Metabolic restoration in HIV-infected patients as a therapeutic approach


    Date:
    October 14, 2021
    Source:
    Institut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS
    Summary:
    Medical researchers have shown that optimizing the energy metabolism
    of key cells enables people with HIV-1 to better defend themselves
    against the virus.



    FULL STORY ==========================================================================
    The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) particularly attacks CD4
    lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell considered to be the conductor
    of the immune system.

    Hamza Loucif, a doctoral student in virology and immunology, and Julien
    van Grevenynghe, a professor at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), have shown that optimizing the energy metabolism
    of these key cells enables people with HIV-1 to better defend themselves against the virus.

    Indeed, with better metabolism, the role of these white blood cells in protecting against the virus, and thus in improving the overall immune
    system response, becomes more important.


    ==========================================================================
    A combined action This metabolic optimization exploits the cell
    recycling process, called "autophagy." It would have a positive double
    effect! Autophagy in CD4 cells provides amino acids, including glutamine,
    to fuel the mitochondria, which serves as a cell's energy powerhouse. This energy is then used to secrete the protein interleukin-21 (IL-21),
    which plays a key role in the defense against HIV-1.

    Researchers have shown in a previous study that IL-21 can "retrain" the
    immune system of HIV patients. In fact, the protein optimizes the energy
    supply of CD8 immune cells and, by the same token, their defense system.

    A promising way forward "It is important that a single treatment act
    positively on the entire immune system, not just on a subpopulation of
    cells. Since these cells help each other and communicate with each other,
    the beneficial effect of autophagy on different cell populations supports
    the importance of this pathway from a therapeutic point of view," said Professor van Grevenynghe.

    "Our results corroborate and consolidate the therapeutic utility of
    autophagy in HIV-1 and potentially in other viral infections. This
    molecular mechanism has the potential to orchestrate an effective
    antiviral response by providing various energetic substances to fuel
    the mitochondrial metabolism," reports Hamza Loucif.

    The majority of people infected with HIV-1 must take daily antiretroviral treatments, which do not completely restore the proper functioning of
    their immune system. Acting on the metabolic pathway could eventually
    provide natural protection against the virus.

    ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Institut_national_de_la_recherche_scientifique_-_INRS.

    Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


    ========================================================================== Journal Reference:
    1. Hamza Loucif, Xavier Dagenais-Lussier, Daina Avizonis, Luc
    Choinie`re,
    Cherifa Beji, Le'na Cassin, Jean-Pierre Routy, Jo"rg H. Fritz,
    David Olagnier, Julien van Grevenynghe. Autophagy-dependent
    glutaminolysis drives superior IL21 production in HIV-1-specific
    CD4 T cells. Autophagy, 2021; 1 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2021.1972403 ==========================================================================

    Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211014100126.htm

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