OREANDA-NEWS Scientists have moved closer to creating a cure for HIV by managing to make the virus come out of hiding inside immune cells. A study published in Nature Communications has shown that a new mRNA—based technology makes the virus visible to the immune system, a step that was previously considered impossible.

A team from the Doherty Institute in Melbourne has created a new type of lipid nanoparticles — tiny fatty shells that can penetrate into those types of white blood cells where HIV usually "hides" in an inactive form. Previously, it was believed that such cells are unable to absorb mRNA messages enclosed in nanoparticles. However, the new formula, called LNP-X, was able to deliver mRNA inside these cells. There, mRNA triggers the synthesis of proteins that cause the virus to manifest. In laboratory experiments on blood samples from HIV-positive patients, this allowed the latent virus to be "awakened", opening the way for its destruction by the immune system or other therapies.

Although clinical use is still far away and animal and human trials will be required, scientists consider this breakthrough to be the most encouraging in the history of HIV research. Moreover, the technology may be useful in the treatment of other diseases, including cancer.

In May 2025, experts said that HIV can hide from the immune system with the help of special ring RNAs. These molecules interfere with the body's defense mechanisms and help the virus remain invisible for a long time.