Strand-specific detection of cell-associated sense and antisense HIV-1 RNAs in splenocytes and PBMC from PLWH

This study demonstrates that HIV-1 antisense RNAs are expressed in spleen and blood of untreated HIV-1-infected individuals, of at least B and CRF02 subtypes, and that the level of antisense transcription can be significant and even predominant, as compared to sense transcription. These data, along with the protocols we described, will enable a more thorough analysis of HIV-1 sense and antisense expression dynamics in vivo, which could pave the way for novel strategies to control HIV-1 infection.