Research Highlights
Harmless Virus Helps HIV by Boosting Immune Proteins
June 1, 2004
A study at the Iowa City VA Medical Center and University of Iowa sheds light on the workings of a harmless virus, GBV-C, that has been shown to slow the progression of HIV and prolong survival for many patients. An earlier study involving the same team found that HIV-infected men with long-term GBV-C survived considerably longer than HIV-positive men who were initially infected with GBV-C but cleared the virus over time. In the new study, the scientists infected white blood cells with GBV-C and HIV, or with HIV alone. The cells with GBV-C showed an increase in immune-system proteins that bind to the same white-blood-cell receptors, or molecular "docking sites," used by HIV. When the receptors aren't available, HIV is unable to infect the cells and spread through the body.
Xiang J, George SL, Wunschmann S, Chang Q, Klinzman D, Stapleton JT.
Inhibition of HIV-1 replication by GB virus C infection through increases in RANTES, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and SDF-1.