研究发现攻克HIV病毒的关键蛋白质

Weill  Cornell  Medical  College  scientists  say  they've  determined  a  protein  produced  by  HIV  infected  cells  prevent  immune  B  cells  from  producing  antibodies.

The  finding,  say  the  researchers,  could  alter  the  way  experts  view  HIV,  helping  to  explain  how  the  virus  evades  the  immune  system  during  the  first  days  and  weeks  of  infection.

It  also  helps  unravel  a  paradox  in  HIV  treatment:  The  fact  that  patients  can  have  high  blood  levels  of  immune  T  cells  and  yet  still  be  vulnerable  to  the  virus.

"It's  because  the  virus  produces  this  protein,  negative  factor  (Nef),  which  enters  B  cells  to  prevent  antibodies  being  targeted  to  HIV,"  explained  lead  researcher  Dr.  Andrea  Cerutti,  an  assistant  professor  of  pathology  and  laboratory  medicine.  "This  process  leaves  other,  less  targeted  immune  responses  intact  --  but  since  they  pose  little  threat  to  the  virus,  HIV  proliferates."

The  findings  appear  in  this  month's  issue  of  Nature  Immunology. (责任编辑：泉水)

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研究发现攻克HIV病毒的关键蛋白质