Wensing Nijhuis
Our Translational Virology research team which include virologists, biomedical scientists, and clinicians, collaborates with experts in immunology, pharmacology, mathematical modelling, and social sciences to develop better treatments and ultimately a cure for HIV. We work closely with people living with HIV and other key stakeholders to ensure our research is both meaningful and inclusive.
A major focus of our work is understanding how HIV can evade antiretroviral therapy and persist in the body. Even when treatment is effective, the virus can “hide” in certain cells and tissues, forming what is known as the viral reservoir. These hidden viruses can cause a viral rebound when treatment is stopped. Through the SPIRAL program, we are creating a global "atlas" of HIV reservoirs by studying blood and tissue samples from people in sub-Saharan Africa, including women and men living with different HIV-1 subtypes as compared to the Netherlands. To investigate these reservoirs in more detail we are developing several in vitro model systems that reflect the unique characteristics of these HIV subtypes. These models will also allow us to test different cure strategies in a controlled and relevant setting.
One of our key areas of focus is the central nervous system (CNS), a compartmentalized part of the body with a unique, immune-privileged environment. We investigate how HIV persists in the CNS and the impact it has on the CNS by analyzing post-mortem brain tissue and employing advanced CNS model systems. These tools allow us to explore how HIV hides in specific brain cell types and help us develop safe and effective strategies to target and eliminate these persistent viral reservoirs.
An exciting frontier in our research is the development of gene therapies, including CRISPR-Cas technology, which have the potential to inactivate or even eradicate HIV hidden within human cells. By combining these cutting-edge tools with immune-based therapies, we aim to create powerful new strategies to eliminate HIV from the body.
While we strive for a cure, we are equally committed to improving current HIV treatments, particularly in regions with limited access to care. Through the ITREMA project, we explore cost-effective strategies like drug exposure testing to identify individuals who would benefit most from early detection of drug-resistant HIV. We also study how different HIV-1 subtypes develop resistance or escape treatment. Complementing this, the ROSETTA study is building a valuable repository of samples from people experiencing virological failure while on second-generation integrase inhibitors. Together, these efforts help us better understand treatment challenges and guide more effective and equitable HIV care strategies.
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