{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Emerging PCR-Based Techniques to Study HIV-1 Reservoir Persistence.
{Author}: Lambrechts L;Cole B;Rutsaert S;Trypsteen W;Vandekerckhove L;
{Journal}: Viruses
{Volume}: 12
{Issue}: 2
{Year}: 01 2020 28
{Factor}: 5.818
{DOI}: 10.3390/v12020149
{Abstract}: While current antiretroviral therapies are able to halt HIV-1 progression, they are not curative, as an interruption of treatment usually leads to viral rebound. The persistence of this stable HIV-1 latent reservoir forms the major barrier in HIV-1 cure research. The need for a better understanding of the mechanisms behind reservoir persistence resulted in the development of several novel assays allowing to perform an extensive in-depth characterization. The objective of this review is to present an overview of the current state-of-the-art PCR-based technologies to study the replication-competent HIV-1 reservoir. Here, we outline the advantages, limitations, and clinical relevance of different approaches. Future HIV-1 eradication studies would benefit from information-rich, high-throughput assays as they provide a more efficient and standardized way of characterizing the persisting HIV-1 reservoir.