Latent human immunodeficiency virus reservoir (Latent HIV reservoir)

The latent human immunodeficiency virus reservoir refers to a population of long-lived immune cells, primarily resting memory CD4+ T lymphocytes, that harbor transcriptionally silent, integrated HIV DNA (provirus). These latently infected cells are not detected or cleared by the immune system and are not eliminated by standard antiretroviral therapy[1][2][7]. The existence of this reservoir allows HIV to persist indefinitely despite successful ART, and it is the main reason HIV infection cannot currently be cured. Latency is established when activated CD4+ T cells become infected and return to a resting state, at which point the integrated provirus becomes transcriptionally silenced through a combination of epigenetic, transcriptional, and chromatin-based mechanisms[1][2][3]. The latent HIV reservoir is the principal target for novel curative strategies, including both reactivation of latent virus (to allow immune-mediated or pharmacologic clearance) and stabilization of latency to prevent reactivation[1][3][7].

Other names

Latent HIV reservoirHIV-1 latent reservoirHIV latent infectionHIV latency

Latency-reversing agents: Reactivate latent proviruses so infected cells can be eliminated ("shock and kill" strategy). Latency-promoting agents: Deepen viral silencing to prevent reactivation ("block and lock" strategy). Antiretrovirals: Block new rounds of viral replication but do not affect latent proviruses.