A new study shows that people with AIDS might soon be able to be treated with just a single vaccine dose, which potentially acts as a unique new AIDS/HIV treatment.
The early findings are coming from researchers at the Tel Aviv University (School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry & Biophysics and the Sackler Faculty of Medicine) in collaboration with other international research institutions including Rockefeller University; St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis; and The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla.
The main aim of the study was to map out whether it is possible to use in-vivo B cell engineering to secrete broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) for injection into the blood of people suffering from AIDS/HIV. Previous research has shown that bNAbs are effective in two ways, both as a treatment derived from their ability to target HIV-infected cells, and as a preventative measure for limiting the spread of HIV infections owing to their inhibition of virus transmission from infected cells across boundaries.
White cells are formed inside the bone marrow and then move into the blood and lymphatic system once they mature, spreading throughout the body.
Type B white blood cells generate antibodies against bacteria and other viruses as well as the virus responsible for AIDS/HIV.
Until this study, trying to use bNAbs as a clinical therapy was impractical, due to the need to investigate the major histocompatibility complex compatibility of donor cells and recipients in each treatment. This would demand specialized medical centers, technically demanding protocols and significant resource dedication.
The goal of the research team was to genetically engineer type B white blood cells that would be able to secrete neutralizing antibodies against the HIV virus responsible for AIDS without having to be fully histocompatible.
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