New hope for HIV-immunisation

Genetically engineered cells made resistant against HIV-strain Scientists have succeeded in engineering cells resistant to the HI-Virus. For the first time the cells that are responsible for the growth of the human immune system, were genetically engineered to be resistant against the most common HIV-strain. But the results will not work for every patient, report scientists from Sangamo BioSciences in New Scientist magazine.

The scientists based their work on blocking the HI-Virus from infecting cells. The virus uses the surface of a carrier protein, the CCR5, to enter human cells. Some people produce a mutated, shortened form of CCR5, which doesn’t get onto the surface of the cell.

These people display more resistance against HIV-infections and show more resistance against developing symptoms.

Researchers have now proved that it is possible to induce a similar mutation within human cells. The scientists say their findings reveal new approaches that could be used to fight HIV.

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