Scientists at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) have described a new therapeutic approach to restore the effectiveness of immune cells.

According to Eurek Alert, this discovery is important for HIV treatment.

Patients with HIV infection take antiretroviral drugs daily, which keep the disease under control, but can cause serious side effects without restoring the normal functioning of the immune system.

But there is also a group of patients called elite controllers who can live with the infection without any drug intervention. It's all about their energy metabolism in CD8 lymphocytes. According to scientists, cells require the energy produced in the mitochondria to protect the body and perform their functions. However, this energy is not used effectively in people on antiretroviral therapy. Due to the dysregulation of metabolism, the immune function of cells is weakened.

But this energy deficit is not permanent. CD8 lymphocytes can be altered with a soluble protein, interleukin-21, which optimizes their energy intake and immune function. This protein restores the energy metabolism of mitochondria through the cellular processing process, autophagy.

The destruction of lipid stores through autophagy or lipophagy is very effective for elite controllers. By initiating this process, cells begin to respond better to vaccination and treatment. All of the immune defense associated with CD8 lymphocytes is provided by the presence of CD4 lymphocytes. These cells act as host cells for the immune system.