Three studies probe secrets of HIV virus
Source: Agencies |
May 2, 2011, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
RESEARCHERS in the United States are trying to unlock some of the mysteries surrounding the virus that causes AIDS with a trio of studies addressing unusual cases involving a set of twins, a failed vaccine and a protein "stop sign."
The identical baby boys received a tainted transfusion and both became HIV-positive a few years ago.
Today, one of the twins has a near-normal immune system and pretty good health, while the other boy is five years behind him on the growth chart and has experienced a number of complications.
That difference became the foundation of one of the studies at the Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City, as researchers led by biology department chairman Keith Crandall try to figure out how the virus changed in each twin. They've been joined in the study by scientists at the National Cancer Institute.
Crandall said there are competing theories about the differences in their clinical outcomes. One theory is that natural selection drives it, so the results should be similar. The other holds that random genetics plays a role and it cannot be predicted.
Vaccine scientists
A second study focuses on an HIV vaccine scientists in Thailand were trying to develop that proved ineffective. Crandall said they hope samples from that case will help them learn more about how the virus evolved and whether vaccinations to guard against HIV show promise.
"I think the HIV community is still split in terms of how to pursue treatment against HIV infection," Crandall said. "There is a strong camp that thinks vaccine is still the way to go. We need to do more intelligent vaccine design," carefully considering everything they've learned in other attempts to create a vaccine that works.
"Others say no way," he said. "The focus needs to be on drug therapy. But the virus tends to hide out in places where drugs can't get to them."
The final study is led by Greg Burton, chairman of the university's department of chemistry and biochemistry, and Xueyuan Zho, a student at the University of Colorado's Health Sciences department.
They confirmed an earlier report that a natural protein prevents HIV multiplying. But they've gone further to explain just how it works. "The importance of this study is that we moved ahead from earlier research. The effect was known, but we showed the mechanism," Burton said.
The identical baby boys received a tainted transfusion and both became HIV-positive a few years ago.
Today, one of the twins has a near-normal immune system and pretty good health, while the other boy is five years behind him on the growth chart and has experienced a number of complications.
That difference became the foundation of one of the studies at the Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City, as researchers led by biology department chairman Keith Crandall try to figure out how the virus changed in each twin. They've been joined in the study by scientists at the National Cancer Institute.
Crandall said there are competing theories about the differences in their clinical outcomes. One theory is that natural selection drives it, so the results should be similar. The other holds that random genetics plays a role and it cannot be predicted.
Vaccine scientists
A second study focuses on an HIV vaccine scientists in Thailand were trying to develop that proved ineffective. Crandall said they hope samples from that case will help them learn more about how the virus evolved and whether vaccinations to guard against HIV show promise.
"I think the HIV community is still split in terms of how to pursue treatment against HIV infection," Crandall said. "There is a strong camp that thinks vaccine is still the way to go. We need to do more intelligent vaccine design," carefully considering everything they've learned in other attempts to create a vaccine that works.
"Others say no way," he said. "The focus needs to be on drug therapy. But the virus tends to hide out in places where drugs can't get to them."
The final study is led by Greg Burton, chairman of the university's department of chemistry and biochemistry, and Xueyuan Zho, a student at the University of Colorado's Health Sciences department.
They confirmed an earlier report that a natural protein prevents HIV multiplying. But they've gone further to explain just how it works. "The importance of this study is that we moved ahead from earlier research. The effect was known, but we showed the mechanism," Burton said.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔＄粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
