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Monday, 17 March 2014 12:41

Gene mutation in the fight against HIV

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mouseResearch conducted at the laboratory of the University of Pennsylvania, provides data to the first change in the targeted gene, which leads to the creation of genetically modified immune cells impermeable to the HIV virus.

The study focuses on the use of a technique known as targeted gene editing.

The aim is to change conformation of the CC chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) delta32, which represents a protein on the surface of T - cells that HIV uses to connect to and infect healthy cells.

If the protein is changed even slightly, the virus is unable to continue its development. Although the modification of the protein is not able to kill the virus, its ability to proliferate is suppressed, generally used in drugs used for treatment of patients diagnosed with HIV.

Only a small portion of the world population carries an allele that cause this conformational change in CCR5 - delta32.

Basically everyone should copy inherited from both parents, which therefore does not allow inoculation with the virus. The fact is, however, that allele is owned by only 14% of the European population and carriage in African and Asian populations is even more rare.

It is this mutation serves as inspiration for the study.

There are involved only 20 subjects diagnosed as HIV positive by 2 persons they fell, due to the very low levels of T cells.

In the remaining 18 patients, the T cells are subjected to the modification, and then monitor their response to the match, and the virus.

In 6 th patient has seen a sharp rise in resistance to the virus, which even led to the discontinuation of drug therapy.

Although immune cell lives on average about six weeks, the modified cells can be detected several months later.

These changes have not eradicated the virus from the body, and although best results patients are not cured.

Yet to be made additional tests and studies, the researchers, however, have an optimistic attitude and better predict outcome.

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