Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.07.24.220012v1?rss=1 Authors: Jefferys, S. R., Burgos, S. D., Peterson, J., Selitsky, S. R., Turner, A.-M., James, L. I., Margolis, D. M., Parker, J., Browne, E. P. Abstract: Transcriptional silencing of HIV generates a reservoir of latently infected cells, but the mechanisms that lead to this outcome are not well understood. We characterized a primary cell model of HIV latency, and observed that latency is a stable, heritable viral state that is rapidly reestablished after stimulation. Using Assay of Transposon-Accessible Chromatin sequencing (ATACseq) we found that latently infected cells exhibit reduced proviral accessibility, elevated activity of Forkead and Kruppel-like factor transcription factors (TFs), and reduced activity of AP-1, RUNX and GATA TFs. Latency reversing agents caused distinct patterns of chromatin reopening across the provirus. Furthermore, depletion of a chromatin domain insulator, CTCF inhibited HIV latency, identifying this factor as playing a key role in the initiation or enforcement of latency. These data indicate that HIV latency develops preferentially in cells with a distinct pattern of TF activity that promotes a closed proviral structure and inhibits viral gene expression. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info