Are protease inhibitors really suppressing endogenous retroviruses in AIDS?
From Groq Have protease inhibitors been shown to suppress reactivated endogenous retroviruses? Yes, protease inhibitors (PIs) have been shown to suppress reactivated endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) in various studies. ERVs are remnants of ancient retroviruses that are integrated into the human genome and can be reactivated under certain conditions, such as during inflammation, stress, or immune suppression. Reactivated ERVs can produce viral particles and proteins, which can contribute to various diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. PIs are a class of antiretroviral drugs that are commonly used to treat HIV infection. They work by inhibiting the activity of the HIV protease enzyme, which is necessary for the virus to replicate. However, PIs have also been found to have anti-ERV activity, likely due to their ability to inhibit the activity of other retroviral enzymes, such as reverse transcriptase and integrase. Several studies have demonstra