Work

Unintegrated HIV-1 DNA recruits cGAS via its histone-binding domain to escape innate immunity

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: To ensure optimal replication and spread, viruses have evolved countermeasures to evade type 1 IFN-mediated antiviral activity. During the early viral replication cycle steps until uncoating, the HIV-1 core protects viral pathogen associated molecular patterns (viral RNA and reverse transcription products) from recognition by innate immune sensors, including cGAS. However, after capsid uncoating, unintegrated viral DNA (uvDNA) becomes accessible. Here, we show that HIV-1 uses chromatin-mediated cGAS inactivation as a mechanism to protect its uvDNA from innate immune activation.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2424465122

Authors: Cyprien Jahan, Lucie Bonnet-Madin, Shinichi Machida, Bijan Sobhian, Suzie Thenin-Houssier, Monsef Benkirane

Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Montpellier, Institut de Génétique Humaine, National Center for Global Health and Medicine

Language: English

Topic: interferon and immune responses

Subfield: Immunology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid