Evidence for the cure of HIV infection

[and-justice-for-all]

Submitted September 23, 2010; accepted December 2, 2010.

Evidence for the cure of HIV infection by CCR5{Delta}32/{Delta}32 stem cell transplantation
Kristina Allers1,*, Gero Hütter2, Jörg Hofmann3, Christoph Loddenkemper4, Kathrin Rieger2, Eckhard Thiel2 and Thomas Schneider1

1 Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases, and Rheumatology, Medical Clinic I, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charite - University Medicine Berlin, Germany; 2 Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Transfusion Medicine, Medical Clinic III, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charite - University Medicine Berlin, Germany; 3 Institute of Medical Virology, Helmut-Ruska-Haus, Campus Mitte, Charite - University Medicine Berlin, Germany; 4 Institute of Pathology/Research Center ImmunoSciences (RCIS), Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charite - University Medicine Berlin, Germany

* Corresponding author; email: [e-mail]

Abstract:

HIV entry into CD4+ cells requires interaction with a cellular receptor, generally either CCR5 or CXCR4. We have previously reported the case of an HIV-infected patient in whom viral replication remained absent despite discontinuation of antiretroviral therapy after transplantation with CCR5{Delta}32/{Delta}32 stem cells. However, it was expected that the long-lived viral reservoir would lead to HIV rebound and disease progression during the process of immune reconstitution. In the present study, we demonstrate successful reconstitution of CD4+ T cells at the systemic level as well as in the gut mucosal immune system following CCR5{Delta}32/{Delta}32 stem cell transplantation, while the patient remains without any sign of HIV infection. This was observed although recovered CD4+ T cells contain a high proportion of activated memory CD4+ T cells, i.e. the preferential targets of HIV, and are susceptible to productive infection with CXCR4-tropic HIV. Furthermore, during the process of immune reconstitution, we found evidence for the replacement of long-lived host tissue cells with donor-derived cells indicating that the size of the viral reservoir has been reduced over time. In conclusion, our results strongly suggest that cure of HIV has been achieved in this patient.

http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary.org/cgi/content/abstract/blood-2010-09-309591v1?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=hiv+cure&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT

[xchrom]

1. recommend -- though for the foreseeable future -- it's too expensive for mass application. nt

[and-justice-for-all]

2. I will kindly disagree..nt

[phleshdef]

3. Sounds like what once could have been said about every single part in a personal computer.

With the leaps and bounds we have taken in all aspects of science and technology, just in the last 20 years, the next 10 years are the equivalent of a technological lifetime.

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. Could our nation have been the leader in this were it not for the Bush Bullshit and..

the political theater of the Xtian Right in terms of anti-abortion/pro-life? Could our resources of people, science and equipment have made this happen sooner? Also wonder how much of a role in not making this happen here has to do with PhRMA, and its continuation of producing and selling expensive drugs, as well as the insurance industry.

[and-justice-for-all]

5. Yes, you are right in all aspects...

Xtian Right loves to see people suffer because they think it is divine punishment and big PhRMA makes millions of dollars off the drugs. I know some one who takes them, and a months supply of what he needs is $2500.00; that is just one person.

[and-justice-for-all]

6. kick