Targeted lipid nanoparticles deliver Brec1 mRNA to CD4 T cells in laboratory study
Published in Drugs development & discovery, Immunology, Journals, Nanomedicine, Tools.
Published October 30, 2026.
Researchers report a laboratory platform that combines CD4-targeting single-domain antibodies, lipid nanoparticles and messenger RNA encoding the Brec1 recombinase. The goal is to deliver genome-editing machinery to cells relevant to the persistent HIV reservoir.
In primary human blood immune cells, the targeted nanoparticles transfected 44% of CD4 T cells under the tested conditions, with greater selectivity than for CD8 T cells or B cells. Cell viability was maintained in these assays.
Three reporter-cell systems demonstrated that delivered Brec1 messenger RNA could produce an active enzyme capable of excising DNA containing its target sequence. These experiments support the delivery platform as a proof of concept.
The study does not demonstrate elimination of the HIV reservoir in patients or a cure. Reporter-system excision and transfection of blood cells do not establish access to all reservoir-bearing cells throughout the body. Further preclinical and clinical validation would be needed to assess effectiveness and safety.
Source: Wittner et al., Scientific Reports. Published October 30, 2026. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-71799-2.