Lipid nanocarrier targeting activated macrophages for antiretroviral therapy of HIV reservoir.

HIV can infect and hide inside certain types of white blood cells that make up the immune system and help defend our body, such as macrophages. Because these infected cells tend to carry the virus to certain organs where antiviral drugs have a hard time reaching, the virus is able to avoid treatment from the drug. In this study, the authors developed very small devices known as nanocarriers to carry antiviral drugs. These nanocarriers were designed to seek out infected macrophages. The nanocarriers were successfully built with oils and lipids that are safe for patients and could easily deliver antiviral drugs to macrophages infected by HIV. Excellent anti-HIV effects were observed using these nanocarriers. In summary, the authors developed a promising device with the potential to fight HIV in a smart and safe manner.