Gene Editing Removes HIV From Human T-Cells

Note: Scientific Reports released an article outlining the results of a study by researchers at Temple University offers promising new advancements toward a cure for HIV.  Using specialized gene-editing,  researchers were able to effectively and safely eliminate HIV-1 from the DNA of human T-cells. This study is especially promising in that there appear to be very little to no side effects or toxicity.
Read the full article, Elimination of HIV-1 Genomes from Human T-lymphoid Cells by CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing, in Scientific Reports.
The below is an excerpt that was published in the Philly Voice as follow-up summary article. The original release can be read in its entirety here.

In breakthrough, Temple researchers remove HIV-1 from human T-cells
A new study by researchers at Temple University offers promising new advancements toward a cure for HIV.  Using specialized gene-editing,  researchers were able to effectively and safely eliminate HIV-1 from the DNA of human T-cells. This study is especially promising in that there appear to be very little to no side effects or toxicity.
“The findings are important on multiple levels,” said Kamel Khalili, the study’s lead scientist and director of Temple’s Center for Neurovirology and the Comprehensive NeuroAIDS Center. “They demonstrate the effectiveness of our gene editing system in eliminating HIV from the DNA of CD4+ T-cells and, by introducing mutations into the viral genome, permanently inactivate viral replication. Further, they show that the system can protect cells from reinfection and that the technology is safe for the cells, with no toxic effects.”
While the research could still be years away from producing a viable HIV treatment, the effective deployment of CRISPR paves the way toward rodent and human studies.