ADMIN
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SIV Vaccine Breakthrough
11 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Vaccination
Observing SIV Vaccinations for Monkeys Brings Researchers One Step Closer to an HIV Vaccine
Since HIV was first discovered, researchers have been scrambling to find not only a cure, but also a vaccine. The goal is to stop the virus before it can infect healthy human cells. Ongoing experiments have yielded some benefits, and others have led to important discoveries. One such study holds promise. This particular study had a breakthrough with SIV (the simian form of the virus) that may be applied to humans.
Researchers used a vaccine developed for SIV to see if the monkeys that were vaccinated would fight off SIV when exposed. In doing so, they carefully followed the course of action taken by the immune system. This involved tracking certain amino acids and antibody activity. Repeated responses were clear enough to help predict new infections. Also, certain spikes in amino acids helped researchers determine what was crucial in order to trigger effective immune responses.
The monkeys that were vaccinated were then exposed to a mix of SIV strains. These strains were divided into two groups. The first group were targeted by the immune system and immediately neutralized. No infection occurred with these strains of the virus. However, with the next group, the virus was resistant to the antibodies. This, more often than not, resulted in infection. A closer look at the chemical changes that occurred led to some important information.
The breakthrough came when changes in amino acids were noticed and changed the SIV from a resistant form into one that could be neutralized. The opposite could also happen, depending on how the amino acids spiked. Upon testing this on HIV, the same actions resulted. This could mean that these amino acids hold the key to neutralizing HIV. Further investigation will determine if this could indeed be what’s needed in order to create an effective vaccine.
New Approach To An HIV Vaccine
11 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Vaccination
New Spin on an Old Theory Brings Researchers One Step Closer to an HIV Vaccine
Testing and experimentation to find an HIV vaccine has been ongoing for nearly thirty years. Over the past three decades, there have been numerous approaches to the subject in order to find one that might work. One of these includes the thought of targeting how the virus attaches itself to a healthy cell. It is hoped that by doing this, an attack from the immune system would target and eliminate the threat, thereby avoiding infection. Recent experimentation in Europe yielded some promising results.
By taking an envelope protein called gp41—which is part of HIV—and engineering it, researchers were able to come up with one way of slowing or even preventing an infection. What makes this protein so special is that it is responsible for attaching itself to human cells. By preventing this bond, it is hoped a successful vaccine can be developed.
This idea is not a new one. It has been extensively researched. What makes this approach novel, however, is the engineering behind it. How the protein is designed by engineers enables it to potentially alert the immune system. For example, it can attach to T-cells and trigger an immediate response. This, in turn, can aid in ridding the body of the virus.
There is a setback with the design, though. The problem lies in the fact that not all immune cells are infected via the gp41 protein. This leaves certain cells open to attack. While this needs to be addressed, it does not mean all is lost. Researchers are hoping to create a vaccine that tackles the problem in different ways. The use of gp41 is one way, and perhaps when combined with another method, an effective vaccine can be produced. When this does happen, it will be a major victory in the battle against HIV.
Truvada And Sexually Risky Behavior
11 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Prevention
Truvada Proves Effective in HIV Prevention
Researchers have wanted to take a closer look into how and why progress has been made in the battle against HIV. Antiretroviral therapy has helped to lower the viral load for thousands of HIV-positive patients, and life expectancy has also increased dramatically in recent years. Most of this is thanks to Truvada, but medical researchers worry that overconfidence in the therapy might promote an increase in unsafe sexual behavior. Researchers questioned whether patients using Truvada might feel so protected that they would exhibit riskier practices.
Truvada can be used as a protection for those at risk for infection, as well as for treating an existing one. Clinical studies conducted over the last few years looked into the effectiveness of the drug, and discovered that risk of infection was reduced by nearly 90%. While researchers were happy with these findings, they wanted to be sure that this effectiveness did not become a false sense of security for those taking it. This type of behavior is known as risk compensation.
Trials were designed to determine how sexual behaviors changed before and after taking Truvada. 2500 people participated in the trial. Half received Truvada, and the other half a placebo. There was no observed increase in risky behavior. Contrary to what they expected, infections continued decreasing. Researchers believe that the counseling and education that accompanied the therapy helped to increase awareness. This type of education continues to be encouraged, as does the use of Truvada. Overall, scientists are pleased with the positive results so far seen by this pioneer drug treatment. It has proven to be effective without increasing risky sexual behavior in those taking it.
New HIV Treatments
11 years ago
by ADMIN
in Experimental Treatment
New Compounds that Target HIV
The battle against HIV is one in which progress has been slow. Antiretroviral therapies, however, have successfully limited the viral load in patients. More good news has come to light in regards to life expectancy. Statistics show that life expectancies of the HIV-infected are quickly approaching those of the general population. Still, there is more ground to be covered. Researchers have discovered compounds that target HIV and stop it from reproducing. Further research may reveal a new way to treat HIV and perhaps even stop it in its tracks.
Some of these compounds include ribonucleoside analogs 8-azaadenosine, 3-deazauridine, formycin A, 2′-C-methylcytidine, and 5-fluorocytidine. Their jobs are to target the HIV’s DNA and induce a lethal mutation. Prevention of reproduction occurs, thus preventing the spread of the virus throughout the body. By blocking DNA synthesis, some of these compounds create so many mutations that the HIV is completely immobilized. Exactly how the synthesis is so effectively blocked—and the processes the compounds go through to make this happen—are unknown. How the mutations occur is also unknown. Although the discovery came as a surprise, it’s one that has a multitude of potential benefits.
Even though more research is necessary in order to completely understand the functions and processes involved in these reactions, there remains great promise. To begin with, these compounds are relatively inexpensive when compared to the cost of creating the drugs available on the market to treat HIV. Next, these compounds are efficient. This leads researchers to suspect that even drug-resistant forms of the virus can be treated where other forms of therapy have failed. Lastly, these ribonucleoside compounds are likely to at least slow the spread of HIV, which is known to be a quickly-spreading infection.
HIV Trancytosis Provides New Answers
11 years ago
by ADMIN
in HIV Research
New Light on HIV-1 Transcytosis
Researchers have long been working to find ways of eradicating HIV and finding a solution to the viral epidemic. Whether help comes in the form of a vaccine, new treatment or therapy, the goal is to figure out a way to stop transmission and infection. In light of certain scientific breakthroughs, there is promise. One study helped map out the actual transmission and infection of HIV-1 for the first time.
A recently concluded study followed HIV-1 on its journey from transmission from the genital tract to infection. By seeing how the virus traveled, changed and eventually infected its host, scientists hope to find a way to stop HIV before it spread. However, what they found was not what they had anticipated: Seeing as the fluid in the genital tract is acidic, scientists reasoned that lowering pH levels would somehow affect transmission. Also, scientists have always known the virus to be coated with antibodies, especially as it traveled. By neutralizing these antibodies and lowering pH levels, HIV-1 actually performed better. Transcytosis aided these changes almost twentyfold. This was unexpected, but new information is always a step towards finding a cure.
Researchers also found another aide in the transcytosis process: antibodies. A certain receptor was found that bound and then released immune complexes. This receptor binds when the pH level is acidic and releases a neutral pH. Traces of this particular receptor were later found in one the cells of the genital tract, proving that this theory is correct. Scientists now have new information that can allow them to continue in their quest to battle HIV.
