Scientists have discovered a way to protect immune cells from the HIV virus using a protein.
The protein, SAMHD1, is found in white blood cells and protects immune cells against HIV by depriving the virus of the material it needs to build DNA and replicate.
The discovery may lead to more effective anti-HIV treatments, and sheds light on other viruses, such as Herpes, that replicate in ways similar to HIV.
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Comments (2)
david daly
Data Analyst (logged in via email @yahoo.com)
So if the protein is already in white blood cells, presumeably the idea is to encourage the body to produce more so effectively fight off viruses like HIV? Apparently a compound called calcium spirulan has been shown to be effective against HIV also http://www.spiralyne.co.uk
jamie jardine
student (logged in via email @optusnet.com.au)
"Scientists have discovered a way to protect immune cells from the HIV virus using a protein."
Calling HIV "the HIV virus" is analogous to calling an ATM "an ATM machine". I'd expect more from a site such as this.