Medical expert of the article
New publications
Scientists have been able to extract HIV from human DNA
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Experts have discovered that a certain combination of enzymes can locate and neutralize HIV-1, as well as restore sets of cells damaged by the virus.
A research group from Temple University Medical College (Philadelphia) has come up with a method that helps remove the HIV-1 virus from cellular structures. This discovery can confidently be called the first step towards ridding people of such an insidious pathology as AIDS forever.
The discovered therapeutic method can be successfully applied to other latent infections.
The paper, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, details the process and technology used to purify the HIV-1 gene pool.
According to statistics, today more than 33 million of the world's population are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. Despite the fact that the use of specific antiretroviral therapy helps to control the condition of patients to a large extent, it is necessary to constantly carry out such treatment. And the severity of side effects from such therapy is considered extremely high. Patients undergoing repeated courses of antiretroviral treatment often suffer from myocardial weakness, and also acquire chronic pathologies of the skeletal system, urinary system. Many patients are found to have neurocognitive disorders. The listed disorders are often aggravated by intoxication, which increases under the influence of drugs that inhibit the development of the virus.
One of the problems doctors believe is that the AIDS virus is too persistent. It tenaciously penetrates the patient's DNA, and it is almost impossible to expel it. That is why the disease is considered incurable. However, specialists from Temple University claim that they have found a way to finally extract the virus from human cellular structures.
The study was led by Kamel Khalili. The doctor said that a combination of an enzyme that controls DNA (nuclease) and guide RNA fibers (guide RNA) can track and remove the virus genome. After this process, the genetic link is restored: the free edges are sealed with the help of cellular protection, as a result of which the cell becomes completely healthy and free of viruses.
In order to prevent the guide RNA from accidentally linking to another part of the patient's genome, the specialists carefully thought out the nucleotide sequence. Thanks to this, it was possible to prevent damage to healthy cellular structures. At the same time, the scientists were able to correct a number of fundamental cell types that are most often affected by viruses - these are macrophages, microglia and T-lymphocytes.
It is expected that the results of this study will be further developed over the next two to three years. And only after that will it be possible to draw certain conclusions and implement the discovery into global medical practice.
[