Compositions and methods for treating retrovirus infections
The present invention relates to at least one nucleic acid (i) comprising or consisting of or (ii) encoding a nucleic acid comprising or consisting of, a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 1) SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, and SEQ ID NO: 4, and 2) a sequence derived from SEQ ID NO: 1 to 4 by substitution deletion or insertion of at least one nucleotide, provided that a nucleic acid consisting of the sequence derived from SEQ ID NO: 1 to 4 is liable to induce HIV-1 expression in latent HIV-1-infected cells, for use as a medicament, in particular for treating retrovirus infections.
1. A method for inducing HIV- 1 expression in latent HIV-1-infected cells in an individual in need thereof comprising administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of
at least one nucleic acid comprising or encoding a nucleic acid comprising:
a sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4, and a combination thereof.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one nucleic acid consists of a RNA molecule.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one nucleic acid comprises a RNA molecule consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, a RNA molecule consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2, a RNA molecule consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3, and a RNA molecule consisting of SEQ ID NO: 4.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one nucleic acid is used in combination with at least one other anti-retroviral compound.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the individual is an asymptomatic patient infected by HIV-1.
6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the at least one other anti-viral compound is selected from the group consisting of a reverse transcriptase inhibitor and a protease inhibitor.
7. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the individual is under Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART).
8. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the individual is an elite HIV-1 controller.
9. An in vitro method for the production of retroviral particles, comprising:
contacting cells harbouring a retroviral vector with a nucleic acid as defined in claim 1 ;
letting the cells express the retroviral vector;
whereby retroviral particles are produced from the cells.
10. The in vitro method of claim 9 , involving no step of culturing the cells with T cells.