About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

An 'Adapter Plug' to Convert Antibodies into HIV Killers

by Rajashri on August 13, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Font : A-A+

 An 'Adapter Plug' to Convert Antibodies into HIV Killers

Scientists have developed an "adapter plug" molecule that transforms spare antibodies into HIV killers, in what could be a major step in the fight against AIDS.

In this novel way to treat AIDS and other viruses, the molecule targets the antibodies, called anti-gal, which are naturally present in humans and constitute 1 percent of all antibodies in the blood.

Advertisement

The anti-gals help to fight Salmonella and Escherichia coli by binding to a sugar on the bacteria's surfaces. However, they fail when it comes to fighting a serious infection.

"Most of the time these antibodies don't do much, so we thought it would be useful if we could teach them to recognise HIV," the New Scientist quoted Anders Vahlne at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, as saying.
Advertisement

The researchers created a molecule with one end having the sugar group recognised by anti-gal. And on the other hand, they attached a string of atoms that imitates part of a receptor, found on human immune cells, that binds to HIV.

The resultant molecule binds to anti-gal and HIV, and behaves like a kind of adapter plug for the antibodies, enabling their inherent cell-destroying machinery to kill HIV-infected cells.

"The antibodies block the interaction between virus and host cell, recruit molecules that will destroy infected cells, and alert killer cells that will eat them," said Vahlne.

The researchers added HIV viruses to human cells that had been primed with the adapter molecules and anti-gal antibodies and found that nearly 90 percent of the viruses failed to infect the cells.

While there was a need to test the adapters in HIV-infected mice, Rowena Johnston of AIDS research foundation amfAR said that the work demonstrates how "we might be able to use the innate immune system in a surprising and intriguing way."

Source: ANI
RAS/S
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Reading

Latest AIDS/HIV News

 HIV Antibody Response Raised in Patients With Tuberculosis Disease
A new study has found that the co-localization of tuberculosis disease and HIV in lymphatic tissues leads to the emergence of potent HIV antibodies.
Exploring the Consistent Outcomes of an Antiviral Drug
Specific antiviral drug that is widely used to treat smallpox patients since last summer's outbreak is found to produce similar outcomes regardless of the patient's HIV status.
Why Is STI and HIV Screening Decreased While Positive Test Results Increase?
In susceptible communities because of poverty, and racism, the effects of inadequate STI and HIV screening may be more profound.
Who Is Responsible for the Blunting of AIDS Epidemic?
In India, annual HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths continue to drop. Between 2010 and 2021, new HIV infections dropped by 46%.
Are Countries Missing on HIV Self-Testing?
Globally, all countries have promised to end AIDS by 2030, for which it is essential to safeguard individuals living with HIV to complete HIV care services.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

An 'Adapter Plug' to Convert Antibodies into HIV Killers Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests