Scientists have found a way to detect HIV in the blood
The study was performed on patients with HIV patients
Photo: giovanni_cancemi/depositphotos
One of the main problems for scientists seeking HIV medicine was that the virus is able to « hide » within certain leukocytes in the blood. Now scientists have managed to « illuminate » the pathogen, which is why it is easier to detect and potentially completely remove from the body of patients.
This is stated in the study, Posted In Nature Communication, informs The Guardian.
The possibility of human immunodeficiency virus to « hide » in leukocytes means that in the body there is a reservoir of the pathogen. So HIV acquires the ability to be re -activated in the body, but at the same time it can defeat neither the immune system nor the medicine.
Now researchers at the Institute of Infection and Peter Dogerti’s Immunity in Melbourne (Australia) have found a way to make the virus visible, which will potentially help completely remove it from the body.
The method was based on MRNA technology, which is used in some vaccines against Covid-19. Scientists were able to deliver mRNA through the fat bubble to the cells where HIV is hidden – and thus « illuminated » the pathogen for the body.
Previously, it was considered impossible to deliver mRNA to this type of leukocytes, since such cells did not absorb fat bubbles or lipid nanoparticles (LNF) that are used for their transfer. Breakthrough changes were made because scientists develop a new type of LNF.
« We hope this new nanoparticles design can be a new way to treat HIV »– the authors of the work wrote.
Researchers have admitted that they did not believe in the test results, because they were too successful to be true. Later, additional tests confirmed the conclusions.
« We were amazed at how much (huge) the difference was – from what was not working before, and now suddenly started. We all agitated »– said the co -author of the study, Dr. Paul Sevaal.
How do the discoveries evaluate scientists?
Scientists point out that additional testing is needed to check whether it is enough to « illuminate » the virus in order for the body’s immune system to overcome it, whether the technology will need to be combined with other treatments.
A new study was conducted on cells of patients with HIV, so scientists need to test the method on animals and then on humans. It is likely that years will take place before the study of the effectiveness of such therapy will begin.
« In the field of biomedicine, much does not fall in the hospital – it’s a sad truth. I don’t want to portray a better picture than what is happening in reality.
But in the field of HIV treatment in the field of virus detection there was still nothing close to what we see now « – added the scientist.
The co -author of the study, Michael Rosh, says that discovery can help not only in the treatment of HIV, because leukocytes also play a role in other diseases, including cancer.
Retrovirusologist Jonathan Stoy, who did not participate in the work, said that the approach of Australian scientists is a significant step forward compared to other ways of detecting the virus. The scientist noted that further research was needed to help you learn how to overcome HIV.
« There is one big unknown. It is necessary to destroy the whole tank for success (in the fight against the virus – ed.) Is it only a major part of it?– said the scientist.
Recall in the world seven people cured From HIV, two of them managed to overcome the disease due to the transplantation of stem cells, not resistant to the virus.
