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In a paper published in Nature Communications, researchers at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne report developing a new lipid nanoparticle, LNP X, that can deliver mRNA into resting CD4+ T cells where HIV hides.

In a paper published in Nature Communications, researchers at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne report developing a new lipid nanoparticle, LNP X, that can deliver mRNA into resting CD4+ T cells where HIV hides.

According to the research, the mRNA carried by LNP X encodes the HIV Tat protein, which activates viral transcription and forces dormant HIV out of latency. This reveals the virus in white blood cells, where it typically avoids immune detection and antiretroviral drugs.

According to the research, the mRNA carried by LNP X encodes the HIV Tat protein, which activates viral transcription and forces dormant HIV out of latency. This reveals the virus in white blood cells, where it typically avoids immune detection and antiretroviral drugs.

In laboratory tests using cells from HIV patients, the Tat-LNP X treatment led to a 112-fold increase in multiply-spliced HIV RNA transcripts and a 17.2-fold rise in HIV virion production, outperforming current latency reversal methods.

In laboratory tests using cells from HIV patients, the Tat-LNP X treatment led to a 112-fold increase in multiply-spliced HIV RNA transcripts and a 17.2-fold rise in HIV virion production, outperforming current latency reversal methods.

The study was conducted entirely in vitro using donated patient cells. Researchers caution that years of testing are needed to determine if revealing the virus is enough for immune clearance or if it must be combined with other therapies to eliminate HIV.

The study was conducted entirely in vitro using donated patient cells. Researchers caution that years of testing are needed to determine if revealing the virus is enough for immune clearance or if it must be combined with other therapies to eliminate HIV.

The research team initially questioned the results due to their magnitude. Dr. Paula Cevaal said they had "never seen anything close to as good," while emphasizing that the findings remain preliminary and require further validation.

The research team initially questioned the results due to their magnitude. Dr. Paula Cevaal said they had "never seen anything close to as good," while emphasizing that the findings remain preliminary and require further validation.

Globally, nearly 40 million people live with HIV and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/us-aid-cuts-could-trigger-global-hiv-crisis-un-warns">rely on lifelong antiretroviral therapy</a>, with UNAIDS reporting one HIV-related death every minute in 2023. A functional cure has the potential to eliminate drug dependence and reduce transmission risk to nearly zero.

Globally, nearly 40 million people live with HIV and rely on lifelong antiretroviral therapy, with UNAIDS reporting one HIV-related death every minute in 2023. A functional cure has the potential to eliminate drug dependence and reduce transmission risk to nearly zero.

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Researchers at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne have developed a new lipid nanoparticle, LNP X, that can deliver mRNA into resting CD4+ T cells where HIV hides.

Researchers at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne have developed a new lipid nanoparticle, LNP X, that can deliver mRNA into resting CD4+ T cells where HIV hides.

The mRNA carried by LNP X encodes the HIV Tat protein, which activates viral transcription and forces dormant HIV out of latency. This reveals the virus in white blood cells, where it typically avoids immune detection and antiretroviral drugs.

The mRNA carried by LNP X encodes the HIV Tat protein, which activates viral transcription and forces dormant HIV out of latency. This reveals the virus in white blood cells, where it typically avoids immune detection and antiretroviral drugs.

Globally, nearly 40 million people live with HIV and rely on lifelong antiretroviral therapy. UNAIDS reported one HIV-related death every minute in 2023, underscoring the need for curative strategies beyond current treatments.

Globally, nearly 40 million people live with HIV and rely on lifelong antiretroviral therapy. UNAIDS reported one HIV-related death every minute in 2023, underscoring the need for curative strategies beyond current treatments.

This breakthrough represents a monumental step toward finally curing HIV after decades of research. The mRNA technology successfully forces the virus out of hiding where it's been untouchable, offering real hope to 40 million people worldwide who currently face lifelong treatment. The results are unprecedented in HIV research.

This breakthrough represents a monumental step toward finally curing HIV after decades of research. The mRNA technology successfully forces the virus out of hiding where it's been untouchable, offering real hope to 40 million people worldwide who currently face lifelong treatment. The results are unprecedented in HIV research.

While promising, this research remains in early laboratory stages with significant hurdles ahead. Many biomedical discoveries fail to reach patients, and this approach still requires years of testing before human trials. The technology only reveals the virus but doesn't eliminate it, requiring additional therapies for a complete cure.

While promising, this research remains in early laboratory stages with significant hurdles ahead. Many biomedical discoveries fail to reach patients, and this approach still requires years of testing before human trials. The technology only reveals the virus but doesn't eliminate it, requiring additional therapies for a complete cure.

Scientists Use mRNA to Force HIV Out of Hiding in Cells

Health

Medicine & healthcare

Science & technology

This breakthrough by the team in Melbourne is a monumental step toward curing HIV after decades of research. By encasing mRNA in a tiny fat bubble and delivering it into cells where HIV hides — something previously thought impossible — it forces the virus out of hiding, where it's previously remained untouchable. The discovery offers real hope to 40 million people on lifelong treatment and may even have wider applications in cancer and immune-related diseases involving white blood cells.

This breakthrough by the team in Melbourne is a monumental step toward curing HIV after decades of research. By encasing mRNA in a tiny fat bubble and delivering it into cells where HIV hides — something previously thought impossible — it forces the virus out of hiding, where it's previously remained untouchable. The discovery offers real hope to 40 million people on lifelong treatment and may even have wider applications in cancer and immune-related diseases involving white blood cells.

The Melbourne team’s mRNA nanoparticle can reveal latent HIV, but key hurdles remain. Similar mRNA HIV vaccines face challenges like triggering chronic immune reactions, unclear causes of side effects, and the difficulty of training a durable immune response against a rapidly mutating virus. These issues highlight uncertainties about whether revealing HIV alone can lead to clearance, and whether this method is safe and effective in humans.

The Melbourne team’s mRNA nanoparticle can reveal latent HIV, but key hurdles remain. Similar mRNA HIV vaccines face challenges like triggering chronic immune reactions, unclear causes of side effects, and the difficulty of training a durable immune response against a rapidly mutating virus. These issues highlight uncertainties about whether revealing HIV alone can lead to clearance, and whether this method is safe and effective in humans.

There is a 50% chance that a vaccine for HIV will be administered to 10 million people by September 2028, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 50% chance that a vaccine for HIV will be administered to 10 million people by September 2028, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Study: mRNA Forces Hidden HIV Out of Cells

ScientistsStudy: Use mRNA toForces ForceHidden HIV Out of Hiding in Cells

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