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Inhibition of Stemness Pathways during Acute SIV Limits Infection of Central Memory CD4+ T Cells and Alters Viral Reservoir Activity in Macaques

Hamid, R.; Ruiz-Salinas, I.; Schoof, N.; Colvin, A.; Tao, S.; Hurwitz, S. J.; Lin, A.; Goldy, J.; Tharp, G. K.; Bosinger, S. E.; Schinazi, R. F.; Silvestri, G.; Chahroudi, A.; Mavigner, M.

2026-07-03 microbiology
10.64898/2026.07.02.734630 bioRxiv
Show abstract

The establishment of a reservoir of latently infected CD4+ T cells that persist on antiretroviral therapy (ART) through proliferation represents the main barrier to HIV cure. Here, we evaluated in macaques a therapeutic approach targeting Wnt and Notch pathways that regulate T cell proliferation and differentiation during acute SIV infection, when the viral reservoir is seeded. The combination of PRI-724 and LY3039478 led to reprogramming of central memory CD4+ T cells away from quiescence and stemness toward a metabolically active effector profile resulting in reduced infection of central memory CD4+ T cells. Following sustained ART, levels of SIV RNA in CD4+ T cells were higher in the PRI-724 + LY3039478-treated group compared to controls, although SIV DNA was similar. These findings suggest that stemness pathway inhibition promotes memory T cell differentiation leading to a more transcriptionally active reservoir and has potential to synergize with "shock-and-kill" approaches to reduce HIV persistence.

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