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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