Once inside the cell, HIV remains there forever. The virus injects its deadly genome into the victim's DNA, forcing her to take medicine for the rest of her life. However, scientists have found a way to completely remove this infection from the human body.
A team of researchers from the University of Philadelphia School of Medicine in the city of Philadelphia (Pennsylvania, USA) stated that they had made the first successful attempt to purify human cells from the latent HIV-1 virus. Scientists hope to treat other hidden infections in the same way. An article published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences gives a detailed description of the creation and operation of molecular tools for the removal of HIV-1 genetic material.
This is an important step towards creating a cure for a complete cure for HIV. Although the medication itself is not yet ready, our discovery is proof that we are moving in the right direction, ”said Kamel Khalili, the head of the department of neurology at Temple University, research director.
The combination of Cas9 nuclease and a 20-nucleotide-length leading RNA strand made it possible to trace and remove the HIV-1 proviral DNA. The subsequent connection of the free ends of the genetic material formed virus-free cells.
Since the immune system cannot cleanse the body of HIV-1, the disease can be cured only by removing the virus, the researcher explained, adding that the same molecular tools can be used as a therapeutic vaccine - HIV infection is not able to penetrate into a protected cell.
There are more than 33 million people living with HIV in the world. Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) that has existed for 15 years, allows you to monitor the health of infected people, the disease requires constant treatment. In addition, according to Khalili, HIV-positive patients are more likely to suffer from age-related diseases. These include diseases of the kidneys, bones, cardiomyopathy (weakening of the heart muscle) and neurocognitive disorders. The problem is also exacerbated by toxic substances contained in the preparations of the control of human immunodeficiency virus.
The article is based on materials .
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