Gladstone scientists identify human proteins that may fuel HIV/AIDS transmission

The article I read shows the research scientists did to narrow down the protein that transmitts HIV/AIDS. Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes have discovered new protein fragments in semen that enhance the ability of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, to infect new cells; a discovery that one day could help kill the global spread of this deadly illness. Earlier, scientists in Germany discovered that HIV transmission is linked to the presence of an amyloid fibril in semen. Warner C. Greene, MD, PhD, found a second type of fibril that also has the ability to spread the disease. This finding may help slow down or in the future stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.

HIV and Semen

This Article talks about how scientists have discovered a new protein fragment in semen that gives the HIV virus an advantage. Although scientists were already aware of the fragment amyloid fibril, the discovery of this new fibril helps the efforts in slowing the spread of HIV. Some women use microbicides in prevention of being infected by the HIV virus. These have been failing lately due to it not blocking the virus from interacting to the natural infection-enhancement components of semen. Studies that have been done have shown the way of the positively charged fibril attracting the HIV virus to semen. By removing these fibrils and other charged components we would eliminate the ability of HIV infecting our white blood cells. The hope of this discovery is to hopefully improve microbicides as well as eliminate the virus.

TRIM5 fights HIV

Thanks to the protein TRIM5, rhesus monkeys are resistant to HIV. The TRIM5 protein prevents the virus from multiplying once it has entered the cell. Scientists discovered the mechanism in the protein, which could help discover ways to fight HIV in humans. We have known about the TRIM5 protein for over six years but the mechanism that it uses to prevent HIV was still largely unknown.

The study showed that the TRIM5 immediatly triggers an immune response if infected with HIV. Humans also have a TRIM5 protein, but it is not as effective at fighting off HIV. But the discovery of this in certain monkeys has opened up new possibilities in fending of the HIV virus in Humans.

I think its really great that such a protein could be immune to a virus that so widely affects our population. Even if the protein of TRIM5 we have isn't as effective, the TRIM5 in monkeys may one day be able with treatment of those who have HIV.