New methods make cells resistant to HIV

Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have discovered a way to tie HIV-fighting antibodies to immune cells, producing a cell population resistant to the virus.

The latest experiment shows that resistance cells can replace disease cells quickly and curing the disease in HIV positive patients.

The new TSRI method is better than therapies where the antibodies float freely in the bloodstream at low concentration.

Antibodies in the new method hang on to a cell's surface, preventing HIV from entering cell receptor and spreading infection.

Scientists used rhinovirus as a model, they used lentivirus to deliver a new gene to cultured human cells.

The gene directed cells to produce antibodies that joined with the human cell receptor ICAM-1 that rhinovirus needs, this prevent virus from entering the cell to spread infection.

Researchers tested the same method against HIV. Strains of HIV joined with a cell surface receptor-CD4 on the immune cell that HIV normally kill.

Scientists confirmed that the antibodies prevent HIV in a better way than free-floating, HIV is treatable but not curable.