Protein found that makes immunity unresponsive to HIV

Scientists have established exactly how the causative agent of HIV infection, the HIV-1 virus, eludes the human immune system. The work of scientists from the University of Montreal was published in the journal Cell Reports.

Experts distinguish between two main types of HIV-infection pathogen - HIV-1 and HIV-2. Both lead to gradual decrease of immunity, but HIV-2 is less pathogenic, it is transmitted less often and does not lead to AIDS so often. Researchers are studying HIV-1 because it poses a greater danger to humans.

Scientists from the University of Montreal proved for the first time that the viral protein Vpu plays a crucial role in protecting the virus from the immune response. In addition, Vpu is involved in the emergence of new viral particles, allowing HIV-1 to affect more and more cells.

As part of the study, virologists conducted an experiment on mice. Animals infected with a virus in which Vpu was not expressed had a reduced viral load and the immune system successfully fought the pathogen. Whereas in animals infected with the naturally occurring virus, the immune system did not respond in any way to the HIV pathogen, allowing the virus to spread.

"The HIV-1 virus used in certain laboratory experiments to create HIV drugs and vaccines does not contain Vpu. However, in the natural virus, this protein actually plays the role of a bodyguard for the infected cell. Once expressed, it allows it to reproduce and helps it protect itself. Perhaps due to the absence of Vpu in laboratory viruses, we are still unable to combat HIV," explained the scientists.

According to the researchers, the discovery could help create an effective vaccine against HIV-1.

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