Tussle between host immunity and HIV-1

Host antiviral restriction factors and HIV1 proteins are engaged in a dynamic evolutionary arms race, driving sophisticated adaptations on both sides. 

Intrinsic antiviral defenses target distinct phases of the HIV-1 life cycle including viral entry (SERINC, IFITM, and CH25H), reverse transcription (apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3G, and SAM domain and HD domain containing protein 1), nuclear import and viral DNA sensing (TRIM5α, MxB, and cyclic GMP-AMP synthase), integration and viralRNA sensing (human silencing hub complex, RIG-I-like receptors), and gene expression to virion release (zinc finger antiviral protein, Schlafen, guanylate-binding protein, membraneassociated RING-CH, and tetherin).

HIV-1 efficiently antagonizes these host factors using a limited but highly specialized set of accessory proteins, primarily Nef, Vif, and Vpu, demonstrating an intricate functional division of labor.

Recently, new therapeutic approaches are being developed by utilizing host– virus interactions, driving increasingly sophisticated research to uncover novel HIV-1 vulnerabilities.

https://www.cell.com/trends/immunology/fulltext/S1471-4906(25)00202-9

https://sciencemission.com/arms-race-between-host-immunity-and-HIV-1