Researchers Have Discovered The Achilles' Heel Of HIV

[pinto]

1. More background on the research here -

from Infection Control Today

Scientists Discover Why Human Body Cannot Fight HIV Infection

University of Washington researchers have made a discovery that sheds light on why the human body is unable to adequately fight off HIV infection.

The work, directed by Dr. Michael Gale, Jr., a professor in the Immunology Department, will be featured in the August print issue of the Journal of Virology.

The researchers discovered that the viral protein vpu, which is created by HIV during infection, directly interferes with the immune response protein IRF3 to dampen the ability of the immune system to protect against virus infection.

"By understanding exactly what HIV does to hamper the innate immune response during early infection, we can develop a clearer picture of how the virus is able to evade immunity to establish a long-term infection," says Brian Doehle, a postdoctoral fellow and lead author of the article.

http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/news/2012/07/scientists-discover-why-human-body-cannot-fight-hiv-infection.aspx