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Gene therapy may have the potential to eradicate HIV in people infected with the virus, new animal research suggests. The science centers around the use of “chimeric antigen receptor” (CAR) genes. In laboratory work with monkeys, these engineered cells have destroyed HIV-infected cells for more than two years, scientists reported.
T-cells are the cells that are largely responsible for human ability to fight off pathogens and get rid of infections in the body. Every T-cell has a unique receptor, or molecule, on it. That receptor allows the cell to recognize a specific target-a bacteria, or fungus or virus. And when it recognizes that target, it’s called into duty to clear it from the body. Taking artificial receptors- CAR that can go on to these cells and allow them to recognize what we want them to recognize,” he noted. “In this case that’s HIV.”
First, the team genetically engineered CAR to find and bind to simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV), a lab-engineered HIV hybrid composed of human virus and monkey virus. Then the researchers modified the DNA of certain blood-forming stem cells so they would carry SHIV-killing CAR. The resulting cells were introduced into the bloodstream of four male juvenile SHIV-infected macaque monkeys.
The engineered cells successfully took up residence in each monkey’s bone marrow. The cells moved widely throughout the body, targeting and killing SHIV-infected cells, without producing any notable adverse side effects. The advantage of the stem cell-based approach is that once these cells are grafted into the body, they continuously produce new T-cells that have this gene in them that can target HIV cells.
Plans are underway for a human trial, this study shows both that these cells will respond to HIV and that it’s safe. This strategy is unlikely to fully work on its own, CAR will most likely need to be used with antiretroviral therapy. CAR therapy is already leading to impressive results in cancer and holds promise for HIV eradication.
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