BREAKTHROUGH (HIV): Immune-boosting DNA Protein Found

[DeSwiss]

Source: Yahoo News (Planet Out)

Immune-boosting DNA Protein Found

Yahoo News (Planet Out)
Tue Mar 4, 7:27 PM ET

A protein found in some people's DNA can shield them from viral attacks such as HIV, a North American research team has discovered. "Our group has found how the key protein, FOX03a, is vital to the survival of central memory cells that are defective in HIV-infected individuals even if they are treated," lead researcher Rafick-Pierre Sékaly said in a press release.

The breakthrough emerged after studying three groups of men: one HIV-negative sample, a second HIV-positive group whose infection was successfully controlled through tritherapy, and a third group whose HIV did not show any symptoms. Members of the third group avoided infection without treatment because their immune systems, which would normally be attacked by HIV, stayed resilient through the regulation of the FOX03a protein.

"Given their perfect resistance to HIV infection, elite controllers represent the ideal study group to examine how proteins are responsible for the maintenance of an immune system with good antiviral memory," said research team member Elias El Haddad in the press release. "This is the first study to examine in people rather than animals what shields the body's immune system from infection and to pinpoint the fundamental role of FOX03a in defending the body."

Public support for the research came through Genome Canada and Génome Québec as well as other public funds and private contributions.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/po/20080305/co_po/immuneboostingdnaproteinfound

---

- I love everything about this story except the name FOX.

On the other hand, just think how pissed the bird-brained Fundies who watch that Repuke propaganda sewerhole will be, if they conclude that the FOX channel was in some way responsible for helping to find a cure against "God's Disease." The resounding clicks of remotes as they start turning off their idiot boxes will be heard around the world - right through the masses of hair in Rupert's ears.

Poetic justice if there ever was any......
========================================================================
DeSwiss



on edit: spelling (@#$!$!@$)

[moobu2]

1. I hope so but

I’ve heard dozens of HIV breakthrough stories over the years that later disappear. I hope this is solid.

[DeSwiss]

4. I agree...

...I've seen quite a few of those as well. But this one's different.

From the beginning of the research, they've wondered why some people seemed immune to the effects of the virus, or had much less complications. This discovery is what they've been searching for. How HIV turns-off the body's defenses seems to be by affecting its ability to produce this protein. If it can be synthesized, it promises to be a large leap toward finding a permanent cure.

- At least this time I'm very encouraged and hopeful....

[BigBearJohn]

2. Thanks for posting this! K/R

[DeSwiss]

5. You're welcome!!!

:hi:

[Up2Late]

3. And only about 2 years too late to save my best friend who died in July 2006.

Oh well, it turns out he died from his addiction to the deadly, but completely legal pain-killing drug Vicodin. I don't know if he would still be alive today (due to his HIV/AIDS), but he sure wouldn't have died as suddenly as he did because of this terrible drug.

PLEASE AVOID THIS DRUG!

READ MORE HERE: <http://www2.hawaii.edu/~destinyj/pain_killers/vicoden/vicoden.htm>

[DeSwiss]

6. I'm sorry for your loss...

...I know one hears that often, but I know how hard it can be.

I don't like taking much medicine at all. I'm forced to make my peace with steroids and antihistamines to maintain control of my chronic hives. But painkillers I especially try to avoid when I can.

- Thanks for the headsup....

[Demeter]

7. I Wonder If MS Victims Could Benefit From This Protein.

[DeSwiss]

14. While the article didn't mention MS....

...I recall another article from this week that spoke of medical trials which make use of parasitic worms to treat Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and MS. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/03/AR2008030303200_pf.html">LINK

[skepticscott]

8. I'm instantly skeptical

when the article leads off "A protein found in some people's DNA..." DNA does not contain proteins, so it leaves me wondering exactly what they mean and, if they really know what they're talking about, why they weren't more accurate.

[HereSince1628]

10. Being that the report is from research of a genome project

I assumed that a gene was being reported. But this does read strangely.


With respect to DNA and associated proteins, don't forget that in eukaryotes DNA gets wrapped around histones which are proteins.

[Alcibiades]

12. You see this a lot in science reporting

If the science reporter doesn't really understand the details of what they are reporting. No doubt the researchers gave the journalist the correct information, but the reporter then flubbed it due to the fact that they don't really understand what DNA is.

Most likely they identified the protein itself and the associated gene.

[DeSwiss]

15. I agree that the wording is confusing....

...in this article. I found another (Yahoo-India), however, about the same group that is more precise. http://in.news.yahoo.com/ani/20080304/r_t_ani_hl/thl-scientists-uncover-protein-that-figh-3b18f0d.html">LINK

[mike_c]

16. FOX 03a is a transcription regulator that apparently serves multiple...

...genes, so it's a regulatory protein or gene activator for apoptosis pathways (cell death). Evidently the phosphorylated protein does not trigger T-cell death.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/562091

Rafick Sekaly<11> presented studies aimed at identifying mechanisms of T-cell survival and exhaustion. FOX03A has been identified as a transcriptional factor important for the regulation of survival pathways in T cells. Nonphosphorylated FOX03A is translocated to the nucleus to activate proapoptotic genes. However, cytokines interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-7 trigger phosphorylation of FOX03A, and this phosphorylated FOX03A is retained in the cytoplasm. Dr. Sekaly demonstrated that central memory cells from HIV-1-infected long-term nonprogressors have a lower level of apoptosis and increased cell survival compared with cells from individuals with progressive disease; this correlated with an increase in phosphorylated FOX03A in long-term nonprogressors. These studies point to molecular strategies aimed at manipulating and extending cell survival in infected individuals.

[nealmhughes]

9. Here is a better story from Edmonton on 3 March on a genetic discovery that stops HIV replication.

http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2008/02/28/4883240.html

In RE: original story, there are some known "non-progressors" who have been infected with HIV for a very long time, but do no have their HIV levels increase beyond a certain static low point.

[DeSwiss]

17. It would appear we have two breakthroughs....

...one which addresses how to increase the survival of HIV-fighting T-cells (central memory cells) which are defective in HIV-infected individuals, through the use of the FOX03a protein. The article stated that this protein "helps the immune systems maintain its resilient immune memory through the regulation of the FOX03a protein." This research is being conducted at both the Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal, and the French Institut national de la sante et de la recherche medicale.

And then the research reported in the article that you linked, reports on the discovery of the actions of the TRIM22 gene (which doesn't work properly in patients with HIV). The TRIM22 gene acts upon HIV by trapping the virus inside the cell it infects, thus stopping its replication. And this research is being conducted University of Alberta’s department of medical microbiology and immunology.

- Both of these articles are really great news!

[xchrom]

11. i lost my partner and virtually all of my friends to this epidemic -- so i NEVER lose hope.

:applause: recommend

[LibertyLover]

13. What great news this discovery is

I hope that, with more research and development, it can be developed into, even if not a cure (although I hope it does show a way to cure AIDS), a better way of treating AIDS. The number of lives it could save in Africa alone is staggering.

[Lance_Boyle]

18. Odd. Is it standard of care to not treat asymptomatic HIV infection?

I'm wondering how they justified inclusion of the third arm (infected, untreated) in this trial.

[DeSwiss]

19. Science nor medicine certainly aren't in my field....

....but from what I understood the article said that the "third HIV group did not show any symptoms...."

So I'm not sure if they would be candidates for the tritherapy anyway if they didn't have symptoms, yet were infected with HIV. Others here would most likely know.

[FloridaJudy]

21. Back in the 1990's

There was a school of thought about HIV that advocated "Hit it early, hit it hard!". It was believed that treating HIV early in the course of infection - when viral load was low and T-cell counts were high - with triple therapy would delay progression and improve outcome.

Now we know that didn't work as well as expected, and - in fact - contributed to drug resistant strains. They could be referring to patients treated this way earlier. There are also patients with high viral loads and grim T-cell counts who nevertheless appear to be in good health. They aren't common, but I've met one of two.

HIV is one of those medical fields where information about treatment has to be updated almost daily the discoveries are coming so fast, and I haven't worked in it for years. Maybe someone who's active in the field would know more.

[closeupready]

20. I am not a doctor, but I think that this is a decision which

is more left up to the infected patient (after consultation with his/her doctor), due to side effects, etc.

I have read that commencement of treatment (with cocktail therapy) is generally advised at a certain point in the progression of AIDS (a certain virus level, T cell count, and so forth), so as not to incur drug resistance in an early stage of infection when treatment is less likely to make any difference in terms of extending lifespan; in other words, the "biggest bang for the buck", if you will, is just after the virus has begun to impact quality of life.

This is a terrific story! :)