HIV Virion Source: www.commons.wikimedia.org |
This recent update is being rendered
as a wonderful discovery that may help fight HIV infection without affecting
the immune system.
The WHO has estimated that about 35
million are affected by HIV and 25 million of them have been killed in the last
30 years.
How HIV infects the body?
The Mechanism of HIV is that it attacks
the T cells, important part of our immune system. The virus attaches CD4 T cells,
enters into them and takes away every controlling function of the cells into
its own processes. HIV virus causes what is called AIDS.
What are the two mechanisms of HIV infection?
In the recent study, Wei and his
colleagues observed the adhesion and degranulation-promoting adaptor protein
(ADAP). They noted that ADAP helps carry out two main mechanisms of HIV
infection:
- Replicating virus and affecting T cells
- Spreading it from one affected T cell to another unaffected T cell
The above two mechanisms of HIV-1 are
regulated with the help of ADAP.
The major discovery that Wei et al
made is that the mutation of ADAP may stop both the mechanisms. So, targeting
ADAP may stop the progression of HIV infection without hurting the immune
system.
The AIDS treatment that has been suggested
is that HIV-infected individuals should be given T cells expressing the mutant
protein. Doing so will halt the progression of HIV infection, reducing AIDS
symptoms.
Reference
Wei B, Han L, Abbink TE, Groppelli E, Lim D,
Thaker YR, et al. Immune adaptor ADAP in T cells regulates HIV-1 transcription
and cell-cell viral spread via different co-receptors. Retrovirology 2013, 10:101.
Written by:
Wajiha Hassan
Keywords: HIV infection, HIV news, ADAP, mutant protein, AIDS symptoms
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