The Evolution of Dendritic Cell Immunotherapy against HIV-1 Infection: Improvements and Outlook

Abstract EN

Dendritic cells (DC) are key phagocytic cells that play crucial roles in both the innate and adaptive immune responses against the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1).

By processing and presenting pathogen-derived antigens, dendritic cells initiate a directed response against infected cells.

They activate the adaptive immune system upon recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) on infected cells.

During the course of HIV-1 infection, a successful adaptive (cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell) response is necessary for preventing the progression and spread of infection in a variety of cells.

Dendritic cells have thus been recognized as a valuable tool in the development of immunotherapeutic approaches and vaccines effective against HIV-1.

The advancements in dendritic cell vaccines in cancers have paved the way for applications of this form of immunotherapy to HIV-1 infection.

Clinical trials with patients infected with HIV-1 who are well-suppressed by antiretroviral therapy (ART) were recently performed to assess the efficacy of DC vaccines, with the goal of mounting an HIV-1 antigen-specific T-cell response, ideally to clear infection and eliminate the need for long-term ART.

This review summarizes and compares methods and efficacies of a number of DC vaccine trials utilizing autologous dendritic cells loaded with HIV-1 antigens.

The potential for advancement and novel strategies of improving efficacy of this type of immunotherapy is also discussed.