Author Type

Undergraduate Student

Date of Award

Spring 4-25-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

July 2026

College Granting Degree

Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Andia Chaves-Fonnegra

Abstract

HIV remains a significant challenge due to its ability to establish latent reservoirs in CD4+ T cells, requiring lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART). As part of the general effort to find a functional cure for HIV, this study investigated the effects of spironolactone (SP) and dehydro-cortistatin A (dCA) on HIV expression, both individually and in combination, using J-Lat 10.6 cell models. Cells were treated with SP (10 μM), dCA (20 nM), and a combination of both drugs in a longitudinal study, with samples collected at multiple time points. Results indicate that both SP and dCA individually suppress HIV expression compared to the control. The combination treatment demonstrated enhanced HIV suppression and synergistic effects. These findings suggest that SP and dCA may have therapeutic potential individually, with even better suppression when used in concert.

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