Our laboratories birthed the field of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) theranostics. The new field allows simultaneous detection (diagnostics) and treatment (therapeutic) for the identification and ultimate elimination of viral tissue compartments and cellular reservoir sites with a focus on the central nervous system. By employing theranostics viral entry sites in lymph nodes, gut and brain can be tracked during antiretroviral therapy (ART). Cellular viral targets including CD4+ T cell populations and mononuclear phagocytes (MP; monocytes, macrophages, microglia and dendritic cells) subcellular endosomal structures can now be targeted for drug delivery in sites of active viral growth. The advantage of theranostics rests in that any steps towards improved HIV therapeutics and elimination strategies that requires precise targeted delivery of antiviral drugs. Bringing virus-combating agents to anatomically privileged tissues of latent viral infection can be defined through magnetic resonance and single photon emission computed tomography imaging facilitated by multimodal antiretroviral drug (ARV) probes. To deploy such technologies, as virus detectors we have successfully mirrored HIV infection in both the human brain and in lymphoid tissue by creating a first in kind completely humanized ?microglial? mouse. The animal is populated by human CD4+ T cells and MPs and as such contains the principal ?human? HIV-1 target cells in a murine model background. Thus, in the current proposal we plan to advance a theranostic nanosystem through improvements in the physical and chemical properties of particles that resemble a complete HIV-1 virion. The realization of the projects? goals can result in the accurate assessment of viral biodistribution and optimal antiretroviral responses. To achieve this outcome we will employ two different nanoparticle formats. The first is bismuth sulfur nanorods and the second is a pseudovirus. Each of the made particles will be detector-tagged and ARV loaded. The combinations of a bioimaging detector and payload deliverer defines our multimodality system that enables unique insights into virus compartmentalization, drug biodistribution and hidden viral reservoirs. The long-term goal is to improve current therapeutic regimens with an emphasis on those that target the nervous system. The research brings together a group of chemists, biologists, pharmacologists, virologists, radiologists and immunologists with a long successful track record of working effectively as a team with singular goals to develop products that facilitate HIV-1 control.
We propose to develop a nanoparticle platform which enables bioimaging tissue distribution of antiretroviral drugs while simultaneously serving to attenuate viral infection in tissue reservoirs that include, but are not limited to, the central nervous system. This research area, called theranostics, was birthed for HIV/AIDS and neuroHIV by our own group during the past granting cycle. We plan to use these research findings to improve clinical outcomes by engineering antiretroviral drug particles that will seek and eliminate virus in its reservoirs.
