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Plant Parasitic Bacteria May Help Develop HIV Vaccine
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The discovery of two scientists from Simon Fraser University indicates that little-known bacteria will become an important new tool in developing a vaccine against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Pantoflet and and senior researcher of the laboratory Keith Ayuyeng, together with Italian scientists studied the bacterium Rhizobium radiobacter. This microorganism causes the formation of radical tumors in plants and is safe for humans.
It turned out that on the surface of this bacterium there are molecules of lipo-oligosaccharide, which in their structure completely coincide with the structure of molecules on the envelope of the immunodeficiency virus. It covers the envelope glycoprotein gp120, protecting the virus from antibodies produced by cells of the immune system.
This similarity enables scientists to develop preventive vaccines against HIV.
The immunodeficiency virus uses sugar molecules as a disguise while the virus multiplies. When immunity detects it, HIV manages to create several subspecies, deceiving the body.
According to the author of the study, bacterial lipo-oligosaccharide can be used to create an effective vaccine against HIV infection. To do this, it is necessary to combine the molecule with the protein, which after administration into the body will stimulate the production of specific antibodies. Such antibodies can recognize and attack the virus of immunodeficiency during infection.
This type of bacteria stimulates tumor growth on the roots of leguminous plants. In order to create a vaccine against HIV, scientists need to find proteins with which the lipo-oligosaccharide molecule will interact. It is the protein that directs the immune system to molecules located on the surface of various cells. Such antibodies will recognize HIV molecules because they resemble the surface molecules of Rhizobium radiobacter.
The authors note that earlier this technology was used in the development of drugs for vaccination against meningitis and bacterial pneumonia. According to scientists, if they manage to get a grant for further research, the prototype vaccine for HIV will be created within two years.
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