T cells: The key to AIDS vaccine?
According to a study conducted by the US researchers, they have determined the reason of why some people have natural immunity against HIV.
The findings throw light on a small number of people called ‘elite controllers’. These rare set of individuals make white cells that are better equipped to fight HIV infection.
Researchers have identified a protective mechanism produced by a gene called HLA-B57 that is found in elite controllers.
The gene produces large numbers of immune system T cells, a type of infection-fighting white blood cell, that latch on to cells that have been taken over by HIV, including mutated copies of the virus, and contain the damage caused by the disease.
Once activated, the programmed T cells also scour the rest of the body for other HIV-infected cells and kill them.
The researchers say the study has implications for designing an effective vaccine.
Developed computer models of how T cells develop in the thymus
Looked at what happens in people with the HLA B57 gene compared with others
Found individuals with the “protective” gene have T cells that are better at binding HIV
It could help them develop vaccines that provoke the same response to HIV that individuals with “natural immunity” can do on their own.
But they say even if they knew exactly what vaccine they wanted to make, it would take at least a decade to reach the hands of a healthcare worker.
Prof Bruce Walker: “It shows another piece in the puzzle of what we want a vaccine to do.”
Jason Warriner, clinical director at the Terrence Higgins Trust, said “these elite controllers are a tiny proportion of people and they are not immune from HIV-related illnesses.”
“HIV remains the UK’s fastest-growing serious health condition, with 83,000 people affected, so it is vital that people continue to use condoms to protect themselves.”
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