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HIV antibodies offer vaccine hope
4 September 2009: Two new antibodies found by scientists in blood from a donor who was infected with the virus in Africa.
Researchers have discovered two new antibodies that could potentially be used to develop an HIV vaccine.
The study, published in the journal Science, has uncovered two antibodies called PG9 and PG16. Antibodies are proteins that are part of the immune system. They act as a defence mechanism to prevent viruses causing infections in the body.
The antibodies were found by scientists in blood from a donor who was infected with the virus in Africa. A small number of people with HIV react to the infection and produce these antibodies.
The antibodies are able to bind to an HIV-1 protein and deactivate the virus, preventing it from causing further infection. When compared to antibodies previously found, PG9 and PG16 were found to be much more effective against the virus.
HIV is difficult to target because its outer surface changes so it can ‘hide’ from the immune system. If a vaccine containing the antibodies could be developed, it could be used to prevent HIV-1 infection if a person is exposed to the virus.
Dr Sneh Khemka, medical director for Bupa International, said: “This research offers future hope for what has so far been an elusive hunt for an HIV vaccine. These are the first new antibodies to be found in a decade, which is a significant discovery. They seem more potent and work on a broader spectrum than other potential HIV vaccines, offering much hope for the future.”
Related information
Key facts
- HIV affects the immune system, gradually reducing the body’s ability to fight infections.
- Over four million adults worldwide are infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) each year.
- There are two types of HIV – HIV-1 and HIV-2. Both are transmitted in the same way but affect people differently and are occur in different parts of the world.
- HIV can be passed from person to person via unprotected sex, from needles contaminated with infected blood, through blood transfusion or organ donation from people with the virus, and from mother to baby during pregnancy, when giving birth and during breast feeding.
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There is no cure for HIV infection, but treatment with anti-HIV medicines slows the progress of the disease.
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