Interleukin-7 induces expression of latent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 with minimal effects on T-cell phenotype.

Latent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) persists even in patients treated with antiretroviral therapy. New treatment strategies are therefore needed to eradicate this latent viral reservoir without reducing immune cell function. We characterize the interleukin-7 (IL-7)-induced stimulation of primary human T cells and thymocytes and demonstrate, using the SCID-hu model, that IL-7 induces substantial expression of latent HIV while having minimal effects on the cell phenotype. Thus, IL-7 is a viable candidate to activate expression of latent HIV and may facilitate immune clearance of latently infected cells.