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Scientists have discovered a gene that can cure HIV
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021
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Scientists have discovered a gene that can be a key in the treatment of HIV infection. With its help it is possible to treat chronic diseases, for example, tuberculosis and hepatitis.
A gene called Arih2 is important for the immune system; it is activated when an infection occurs. Just knowing the mechanisms of its inclusion and deactivation and could help in the development of anti-HIV drugs that crush the immune system, and it would help in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, which is characterized by autoimmune inflammation in the body.
A team of scientists from the Walter Research Institute and Eliza Hall, Australia, led by study leader Mark Pelegrini, found the gene in dendritic cells. These cells detect an infection at an early stage and sound an alarm if a virus enters the body .
"Arih2 is responsible for very important functions, alerting the body to the onset of chronic inflammation or an autoimmune disease," says Professor Pelegrini. "If the work of the gene is broken for some reason, then the body can be attacked by simply passing dangerous pathogens that cause disease."
According to scientists, our immune system copes well with many types of infections, but some organisms have developed mechanisms that help them bypass our protective system and remain in the body.
"Some pathogens have evolved and managed to avoid the barrier of our body. When the causative agents of hepatitis, tuberculosis or HIV get infected, the immune system simply turns off. This is due to the constant stimulation of T cells, which leads to the fact that the cells just get tired and do not react anymore. "Arih2 has a unique structure. We hope that we can manipulate it and influence the diseases to which the immune response is inadequate, "says Dr. Pelegrini. - Arih2 is crucial for human survival. We want to look at the short-term effect of switching on and off the gene. "
If you initiate the cells for a while, you can try to cure the infection. According to scientists, it will take a lot of time for further research.
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