About 30% of patients taking cART do not adequately restore their CD4+ T-cell numbers, leading to an increased risk of AIDS and other infections.
However, recent research points to a promising new treatment: nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN).
This article discusses the potential benefits of NMN in HIV treatment and how it may contribute to improved immune response and recovery of CD4+ T cells.
What is NMN?
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) is a direct precursor of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+), a crucial coenzyme involved in several cellular processes, such as DNA repair and energy metabolism.
As we age, levels of NAD+ in the body decrease, which can contribute to various age-related diseases and impaired immune functions (Medicine.net) (eMedNews).
The Role of CD4+ T cells in HIV
CD4+ T cells, also known as T-helper cells, play an essential role in the immune system by coordinating the immune response against infections.
HIV specifically targets these cells, leading to a weakened immune response and increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections (Medicine.net).
Research on NMN and HIV
Recent research published in EBioMedicine has shown that NMN positively affects immune activation in CD4+ T cells in HIV-infected individuals.
In vitro studies have shown that NMN treatment increases intracellular NAD+ levels and inhibits HIV-1 replication, resulting in a reduction in viral p24 protein production in infected cells without significant cytotoxicity (Medicine.net) (eMedNews).
Mechanisms of NMN
NMN appears to suppress the expression of late T-cell activation markers, molecules present on the surface of activated T cells.
This helps reduce the activation of CD4+ T cells, making these cells less susceptible to HIV infection.
Moreover, NMN appears to affect the proliferation of infected CD4+ T cells by regulating the expression of CD25 receptors and reducing the proliferation of primary p24+ CD4+ T cells (eMedNews) (Classifieds4W Health).
Survey Results
In experiments with both primary CD4+ T cells and in humanized mouse models, NMN treatment showed significantly enhanced CD4+ T-cell reconstitution compared with cART alone.
This combination also led to lower frequencies of apoptotic, hyperactivated, and CD25+ activated CD4+ T cells, indicating a suppressive effect on T-cell hyperactivation and HIV-1 replication.
These findings suggest that NMN, in combination with cART, may improve the efficacy of HIV-1 therapy by modulating CD4+ T-cell activation and proliferation (eMedNews) (Classifieds4W Health).
Conclusion and Future Directions.
The promising results of this study offer hope for a new treatment strategy for HIV/AIDS.
NMN’s ability to reduce CD4+ T-cell activation and suppress the expression of activation markers provides an intriguing opportunity for the development of new therapies.
However, further large-scale clinical trials are needed to definitively establish the safety and efficacy of NMN in human populations.
If these findings are validated, NMN could become a powerful tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS, which could significantly improve the quality of life of millions of people worldwide (Medicine.net) (Ground News) (eMedNews) (Classifieds4W Health).
References
- Wang, S., et al. (2023). Nicotinamide mononucleotide impacts HIV-1 infection by modulating immune activation in T lymphocytes and humanized mice. The Lancet.
By building on this promising research, scientists and medical professionals can continue to strive for more effective treatments and ultimately a cure for HIV/AIDS.
