Viral Protein from HIV Enhances Tuberculosis Risk in People with HIV
A recent study reveals how the HIV viral protein Tat impairs cellular defenses, increasing tuberculosis susceptibility in people living with HIV. Research insights highlight new therapeutic avenues to reduce co-infection risks.
According to the World Health Organization, tuberculosis remains a leading cause of mortality among people living with HIV, accounting for approximately one-third of AIDS-related deaths. Despite advances in antiretroviral therapy, individuals with HIV are still significantly more susceptible to tuberculosis, being 15 to 30 times more likely to develop active infection compared to HIV-negative individuals.
Recent research led by CNRS has uncovered a crucial factor contributing to this heightened vulnerability. A study published in PLOS Pathogens highlights the role of the HIV viral protein Tat, secreted by infected cells, in impairing the cellular defense mechanisms. Specifically, the research demonstrates that Tat hampers autophagy, a vital process that helps cells eliminate pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis—the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis.
Experimental investigations using human cells and zebrafish larvae revealed that Tat effectively inhibits autophagy, thereby allowing the tuberculosis bacteria to survive and multiply within host cells. This insight enhances our understanding of the molecular synergy between HIV and tuberculosis, explaining why co-infection leads to poorer health outcomes.
While targeting the Tat protein directly remains challenging, the findings suggest that therapies aimed at restoring or boosting autophagy could potentially offer protective benefits for people living with HIV, reducing their risk of developing tuberculosis. Future strategies might involve developing drugs that can counteract the inhibitory effects of Tat, thereby strengthening the body's natural defenses against tuberculosis.
These discoveries provide a promising pathway for developing innovative treatments to combat tuberculosis among HIV-positive populations and highlight the importance of understanding viral-host interactions at a molecular level.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-tuberculosis-vulnerability-people-hiv-viral.html
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