Mechanism of HIV spread has potential for future drug therapy
23-Apr-2012 - (Boston) - A new understanding of the initial interactions of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and
dendritic cells is described by Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) researchers in a study currently featured in
the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). With over 2.5 million new HIV infections diagnosed
annually and earlier detection becoming more common, better understanding of early virus-host interactions could
have a great impact on future research and drug therapy.
In this study, the researchers describe a novel mechanism of HIV-1 spread by dendritic cells. These cells, which are present
at the body's mucosal surfaces, are the focus of research because they are among the first cells to encounter HIV-1 and trigger the immune
system. While previous work has focused on the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein method of interactions, this research details the role of a
molecule called GM3, which arises from the host itself and is used by the virus for attachment and spread.
Since this virus invasion method depends on the molecules originating from the host, "it is a stealth entry mechanism, likely
not detected by the cell, so HIV can spread quickly," says Dr. Rahm Gummuluru, associate professor in the department of microbiology at
BUSM and senior author of the study.
Despite the cleverness of the virus, this unique contact between HIV-1 and dendritic cells may offer a new direction for
anti-viral therapies. "Resistance to therapy, which often challenges physicians, is unlikely to occur in drugs that target this
interaction, as these drugs would have the benefit of acting on the host, instead of the virus," Gummuluru. Further research
in this field may identify specific targets and offer hope for preventing HIV infections.
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The research was led by Dr. Wendy Blay Puryear, post-doctoral fellow in the department of microbiology at BUSM, in
collaboration with Dr. Björn Reinhard, assistant professor of chemistry and the photonics center at Boston University.
Source: Eurekalert!
Contact:
Gina DiGravio
gina.digravio@bmc.org
617-638-8480
Boston University Medical Center
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