Despite combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-1 continues to form reservoirs in lymphoid, gut and central nervous system (CNS). The HIV-1 brain reservoir is a pool of long-lived cells, which include perivascular macrophages and microglia that can harbor replication-competent virus. Therapeutic interventions that can effectively eliminate HIV in these CNS cells are urgently needed. FOXO3a, a powerful transcription factor critical for aging and immune homeostasis, offers hope to eliminate HIV-1 reservoirs. Our previous publications have demonstrated that FOXO3a and cytokine TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) target HIV-1-infected macrophages for apoptosis. Interestingly, there is an apparent lack of FOXO3a and TRAIL signaling in the CNS during HIV-1 invasion. The deficiency of FOXO3a signaling and TRAIL expression may inadvertently facilitate the forming of HIV-1 brain reservoirs. Therefore, FOXO3a may serve as a drug target to clear HIV-1-infected macrophage and microglia during HIV-1 infection of the CNS. Our long-term objective is to target FOXO3a/TRAIL pathway and make drug discoveries to improve treatment for people living with HIV-1. We will take advantage of a recent drug development that provided ONC201 as a potent and stable small molecule activator of FOXO3a/TRAIL pathway. ONC201 is orally active, has a wide safety margin, and can cross the blood-brain barrier with favorable pharmacokinetics. Moreover, ONC201 has shown efficacious antitumor effect in numerous solid tumors and hematological malignancies in preclinical models and in clinical trials. We have obtained ONC201 and shown for the first time that ONC201 has anti-viral effects in vitro and in a murine HIV-1 encephalitis model (Zhao et al, Antiviral Research, 2019). Furthermore, we have performed preliminary studies demonstrating that ONC201 potentiates the anti-viral effect of ART drug and delays viral rebound in vitro in macrophage cultures. We hypothesize that modulation of FOXO3a through the first-in-class anti-tumor drug ONC201 will induce TRAIL and facilitate ART leading to HIV-1 elimination in CNS reservoirs.
In Aim 1, we will determine the utility of ART and ONC201 in HIV CNS eradication in the humanized CD34-engrafted IL-34-transgenic mice as a model for neuroHIV.
In Aim 2, we will elucidate the pathways (mechanisms) responsible for ONC201-mediated viral clearance in macrophages, microglia, and T cells in relation to FOXO3a/TRAIL during ART. To achieve these aims, we will use a ?state of the art? humanized mouse model and in vitro macrophage and T cell cultures and evaluate whether ONC201 and the standard ART can synergistically reduce the CNS viral load and delay viral rebound. The proposed studies will provide important proof-of-concept that endogenous FOXO3a could be harnessed by ONC201 to combat persistent and latent HIV-1 infection. Understanding the interactions between immune control of HIV-1 infection and ART will reveal new insights for the treatment of HIV-1 infection and its CNS complications.
HIV-1 brain reservoir is a pool of long lived cells primarily perivascular macrophages and microglia that persist despite treatment. This proposal is aimed at understanding a novel molecular mechanism to curtail HIV-1 persistence in the central nervous system. ONC201, a newly developed anti-tumor drug that activates transcription factor FOXO3a, will be investigated for its therapeutic potential to eradicate HIV-1-infected cells in the brain.
