HIV-1 infection can be controlled but not cured by combination antiretroviral therapy. Indeed, the virus persists in treated individuals in viral reservoirs, the best described of which consisting in latently infected central memory CD4⁺ T cells. However, other cell types in other body compartments than in the peripheral blood contribute to HIV-1 persistence. Addressing the molecular mechanisms of HIV-1 persistence and their cell-specific and tissue-specific variations is thus crucial to develop HIV-1 curative strategies. CRISPR/Cas9 editing technologies have revolutionized genetic engineering by their high specificity and their versatility. Multiple applications now allow to investigate the molecular mechanisms of HIV-1 persistence. Here, we review recent advances in CRISPR-based technologies in deciphering HIV-1 gene expression regulation during persistence.

联合抗逆转录病毒疗法可以控制但不能治愈HIV-1感染。的确，该病毒在病毒库中的治疗个体中持续存在，其中最能描述的就是潜在感染的中央记忆CD4 ⁺T细胞。但是，除外周血以外，其他人体隔室中的其他细胞类型也会导致HIV-1持久性。因此，解决HIV-1持久性的分子机制及其细胞特异性和组织特异性变异对于开发HIV-1治愈策略至关重要。CRISPR / Cas9编辑技术以其高特异性和多功能性彻底改变了基因工程。现在有多种应用可以研究HIV-1持久性的分子机制。在这里，我们回顾了基于CRISPR的技术在持久性过程中破译HIV-1基因表达调控方面的最新进展。