A key role played by RORC2, the transcription factor in HIV infection: the molecule that attaches itself to parts of the virus’s genome yet doesn’t prevent it from replicating.
About AIDS/HIV - Prevention And Transmission
Encyclopedia section of medindia explains in brief about the prevention for AIDS/HIV
Encyclopedia section of medindia explains in brief about the prevention for AIDS/HIV
‘New study shows how the molecule RORC2 allows the HIV virus to persist in the immune cells, thereby making it possible to control.’
During infection, HIV hides in immune cells, called CD4+ T cells, which shelter it and allow it to continue to multiply. Among the CD4+ T cells, Th17 cells, responsible for defending and protecting the integrity of mucous membranes, are particularly permissive in allowing the virus to replicate, actually participating in its persistence.
Until now, there was no explanation for this phenomenon.
Quiz on HIV Symptoms
Do you know that there are symptoms for each stage of HIV/AIDS? Learn more from our HIV Symptom Quiz but here’s a disclaimer – never go by symptoms alone. Symptoms only indicate the progression of the disease, while only a medical test can confirm it.
Do you know that there are symptoms for each stage of HIV/AIDS? Learn more from our HIV Symptom Quiz but here’s a disclaimer – never go by symptoms alone. Symptoms only indicate the progression of the disease, while only a medical test can confirm it.
“In the laboratory, we succeeded in inhibiting its action using small pharmacological molecules, she said. ‘We were thus able to prevent replication of the virus in the CD4+ T cells of healthy participants. In the same type of cells, this time from participants with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy, we managed to limit viral expansion.”
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Doctoral student Tomas Raul Wiche Salinas, a member of Ancuta’s team, and postdoctoral researcher Yuwei Zhang, who trained in Ancuta’s laboratory, are the two co-first authors of the study. The CRCHUM research team also worked closely with that of Dr. Jean-Pierre Routy of the McGill University Health Centre.
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Children With HIV Fail to Achieve Viral Suppression: Lancet
Children and adolescents unable to achieve viral suppression. However, people with HIV who achieve viral suppression protect their immune health and prevent transmitting HIV to others.
Children and adolescents unable to achieve viral suppression. However, people with HIV who achieve viral suppression protect their immune health and prevent transmitting HIV to others.
In previous work, Ancuta’s team showed that Th17 cells represent one of the first targets of HIV infection. In the immune system’s battle, these cells are among the first victims of HIV. Their loss creates a breach in the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier and leads to systemic inflammation.
As for the surviving Th17 cells, they contribute to HIV reservoir persistence by allowing the virus to replicate. This is what is known as residual viral transcription—chronic inflammation leading to complications which are not directly related to AIDS—in antiviral-treated patients. Cardiovascular disease is an example of the possible complications.
“Our goal is to limit residual viral transcription in Th17 cells,” said Ancuta. “At this time, our priority is to test the antiviral effects of RORC2 inhibitors in a preclinical model.”
To that end, the researcher’s team recently received a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research totalling nearly $900,000 over four years. Ancuta, Fassati and Routy will be joined in their work by Éric Cohen of the Montreal Clinical Research Institute and by Elie Haddad of the CHU Ste-Justine children’s hospital, affiliated with UdeM.
Source-Eurekalert
