An intrinsic capacity to destroy HIV is held by human cells. The virus has however evolved to contain a gene that blocks this ability. When this gene is removed from the virus, the innate human immune system destroys HIV by mutating it to the point where it can no longer survive.
This phenomenon has been shown in test tube laboratory experiments, but now researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine have demonstrated that the same phenomenon occurs in a humanized mouse model, suggesting a promising new target for tackling the virus, which has killed nearly 30 million people worldwide since it first appeared three decades ago.
AIDS/HIV - Prevention And Transmission
Encyclopedia section of medindia explains in brief about the prevention for AIDS/HIV
Advertisement
A family of human proteins called APOBEC3 effectively restrict the growth of HIV and other viruses, but this action is fully counteracted by the viral infectivity factor gene (vif) in HIV. In the study, researchers intravenously infected humanized mice with HIV. They found that the most commonly transmitted strains of HIV are completely neutralized by APOBEC3 proteins when vif is removed from the virus.
"Without the vif gene, HIV can be completely destroyed by the body's own immune system," said J. Victor Garcia, PhD, professor of medicine at the UNC School of Medicine and senior author on the study. "These results suggest a new target for developing drugs fully capable of killing the virus."
Garcia and his colleagues pioneered the humanized mouse model used for these studies. The aptly named "BLT" mouse is created by introducing human bone marrow, liver and thymus tissues into animals without an immune system of their own. The mice have a fully functioning human immune system and can be infected with HIV in the same manner as humans. In previous research, Garcia and his team have effectively prevented intravenous, rectal, vaginal and oral transmission of HIV in the mice with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
![AIDS/HIV - Clinical Features]( "AIDS/HIV - Clinical Features")
Encyclopedia section of medindia gives general info about HIV Clinical Features
For the current study, Garcia and his colleagues also infected BLT mice with another, highly harmful strain of the virus. The results show that this strain of HIV does continue to replicate, even without vif, but at a much slower rate and without harming the human immune system. Further, the researchers found that virus replication in this case was limited to one tissue-the thymus-in the entire body.
"These findings demonstrate a fundamental weakness in HIV," said John F. Krisko, PhD, lead author on the study. "If this weakness can be exploited, it might eventually lead to a cure for HIV/AIDS," Krisko said.
The study appears March 28 in the online journal PloS Pathogens.
Source: Newswise
AIDS/HIV - Clinical Features
Encyclopedia section of medindia gives general info about HIV Clinical Features
Advertisement
For the current study, Garcia and his colleagues also infected BLT mice with another, highly harmful strain of the virus. The results show that this strain of HIV does continue to replicate, even without vif, but at a much slower rate and without harming the human immune system. Further, the researchers found that virus replication in this case was limited to one tissue-the thymus-in the entire body.
"These findings demonstrate a fundamental weakness in HIV," said John F. Krisko, PhD, lead author on the study. "If this weakness can be exploited, it might eventually lead to a cure for HIV/AIDS," Krisko said.
The study appears March 28 in the online journal PloS Pathogens.
Source: Newswise
AIDS and Pregnancy
The Acquired immune deficiency syndrome is brought about by the deadly human immunodeficiency virus. In the USA alone an estimate of 120,000 - 160,000 women are HIV- infected.
Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Readings
Latest AIDS/HIV News
The 35th World AIDS Day (WAD) marks an opportunity to review strides in HIV prevention, control, and management, acknowledging achievements.
World AIDS Day 2023 focuses on the theme 'Let Communities Lead,' emphasizing the power of the communities most affected by HIV in bringing an end to AIDS.
Young men involved in sexual activity with other guys are less aware and stigmatized to access PrEP, an HIV prevention drug.
Though monkeypox can affect anyone, CDC research states that approximately 40% of people diagnosed with monkeypox in the US also test positive for HIV.
The Phase 1 trial for a preventive HIV vaccine candidate has initiated enrollment in both the United States and South Africa.