VITN Blog Post #1

For HIV-infected individuals, RNA expression inhibitors may help reduce inflammation and restore immune function, reducing the risk of developing complications associated with inflammation and chronic immune activation. HIV-infected people are more likely to develop certain conditions such as cardiovascular atherosclerosis, cognitive dysfunction, cancers, renal disorders, and more due to chronic immune activation. Researchers discovered HIV-1 as a potential culprit in chronic immune activation and T-cell dysfunction by infecting macrophages with HIV-1 and subsequently observing these conditions even in the absence of infectious virus. This study will help shed light on the mechanism of chronic inflammation and immune activation in HIV-infected individuals, as well as reduce the number of disorders caused by these HIV-related complications.
Link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180827102648.htm
 - Avery Muniz, Viruses in the News