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A virus is created that traces HIV-infected cells
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Professor Ping Wang from the University of Southern California (USA) and colleagues created a virus that traces HIV- infected cells.
The developed lentiviral vector is attached to HIV-infected cells, weakening them through so-called suicidal gene therapy. The cells marked in this way are later easily destroyed by medicines (the same is done by a soldier lighting an object with the laser, so that aviation can strike an exact blow).
Lentivirus performs precisely targeted attacks on HIV-infected cells without causing collateral damage, that is, leaving cells untouched by the human immunodeficiency virus intact. To provide this with medicines alone can not.
While the new lentiviral vector was tested only on cell cultures in the laboratory, destroying about 35% of the existing HIV-infected cells. The indicator seems small, but, according to the authors, using the "on man" method, its effectiveness can be significantly increased. By the way, the next stage scientists are going to try lentivirus in sick mice.
Mr. Pinh Wang is confident that his work is a breakthrough, but it is too early to consider the proposed method as a means of treatment. "The research is at an early stage, but the work is being done in the right direction," the scientist explains.
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