Scientists have been able to clear cells of HIV

Geneticists have found that cells infected with the immunodeficiency virus can be cleared of "extra" components, in particular HIV. New technologies allow cutting out viral genes from immune cells, while the risk of secondary development of the virus is practically absent.

A group of researchers led by Kamel Khalili announced a technology that allows detecting virus genomes embedded in cells several years ago. At that time, scientists managed to clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the new system, called CRISPR/Cas9 – the virus genomes have a characteristic difference, by which the system recognizes them in the cell and destroys them. Now, specialists have once again used the CRISPR/Cas9 technology to destroy the immunodeficiency virus in cells and have proven that it is possible to completely remove the virus from the cell, in addition, the technology blocks the repeated integration of HIV into the chromosomes of immune cells.

The scientists worked with cells that are most often affected by the immunodeficiency virus - T-lymphocytes, in the genome of which there were hundreds of copies of the modified immunodeficiency virus. In addition, to better track the results of the work, the experts replaced one of the HIV genes with a fluorescent protein, which led to the production of luminous molecules after the activation of the virus in the cell. The introduction of Cas9 genes did not affect the vital activity of the virus, but the removal of the immunodeficiency virus from the T-lymphocyte genome occurred during the expression of RNA guides. During the research, the scientists found that initially there were 4 HIV-related inclusions in the cell, but all of them were destroyed using the new system of the Khaleel group. The specialists also found that continued expression of the Cas9 genes and RNA guides prevents the re-introduction of HIV into the cell's DNA.

The researchers themselves noted that their work will help develop new methods of treating HIV, which will be based on the removal of viral DNA from immune cells; scientists also admit that such a method of treatment will make it possible to completely get rid of the disease.

Currently, the immunodeficiency virus remains the main problem in a number of countries, and treatment today is based on antiretroviral therapy, which only stops the development of the virus and helps to prolong the life of patients for several decades, however, such treatment does not allow to destroy the virus in the body completely. The immunodeficiency virus is distinguished by the fact that it is able to quickly integrate into the genome of human cells, where it “settles” and causes relapses. Today, all hopes are pinned on genetic engineering, and experts hope that new methods will allow to get rid of HIV forever.

The CRISPR/Cas9 system was developed based on the antiviral defense of cells and is capable of recognizing “unnecessary” sections of DNA and removing everything unnecessary from the cell without damaging it.

Now, specialists have only conducted the first stage of testing and the CRISPR/Cas9 system has proven its effectiveness. The research group plans to study the principle of the new system in order to understand whether it is effective only at the initial stage or at all stages of the disease.

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