Monkeys are born with a protective gene against AIDS

• April 23, 2024

Scientists found a specific gene for some macaques that could be used to create a vaccine against him simian immunodeficiency virus (VIS), and help develop one that is effective against the HIV in humans, suggests a study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

The simian immunodeficiency virus has two specific strains that infect humans, HIV-1 and HIV-2, viruses that cause AIDS and that are believed to be the origin of the virus. Human immunodeficiency virus .

The study bovine to a large group of rhesus macaques and then exposed them to the VIS repeatedly for two weeks. Half of the monkeys were infected and the other half were not.

Those who resisted the attack of virus were more likely to have a gene identified as TRIM5. The study author and professor at Harvard Medical School, Norman Letvin , suggests that some humans may also contain certain genes that protect them against HIV.

In 2009, a human AIDS vaccine was tested in Thailand, where they were partially protected against HIV. virus participants. There was a 31% decrease in the risk of infection , however its effectiveness fades after 3 years.

Letvin points out that his study in conjunction with others conducted to other populations of monkeys could discover a better antibody for the vaccination . "Maybe the next generation can achieve levels of Protection between 50% to 60% , and that the protection is more durable, "he said.

Since its discovery in the 1980s, AIDS has taken 25 million lives and infected more than 33 million people worldwide. According to data from CENSIDA, Mexico has accumulated since 1983 more than 140 thousand reported cases .

Source: AFP and CENSIDA.