A radical cure for AIDS requires cutting off the HIV virus gene

  HIV is an efficient and diverse retrovirus. When the virus inserts its DNA into the genome of the host cell, it prolongs the incubation period and can remain dormant for several years and hide.

  Doctors can control the virus through a mixture of multiple antiretroviral drugs, but stopping treatment can restore the virus. To inactivate the potential HIV virus, researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (University of Massachusetts Medical School) are using a powerful gene editing system to develop a system that prevents viral DNA from infecting cells Released. I am using Cas9/CRISPR.

  "In short, you can accurately delete all or part of the HIV genome and reconnect the broken ends of the human genome." Lead collaborator Dr. Scott Wolff said in Massachusetts. He said he is an associate professor of molecular biology, cell biology and tumor biology at the university's medical school. "If this can be achieved, it will be an important step in the process of AIDS functional treatment."

  CRISPR sequence is an immune component found in normal bacteria, which can naturally protect them from viruses. can do. Since its discovery, researchers have been actively studying and looking for ways to use the system to quickly and selectively edit specific gene sequences.

  Despite its wide range of uses, the application of CRISPR sequences is still limited to the laboratory. Research progress has shown that Cas9/CRISPR can edit HIV-related genes in cultured infected cells, but this technology is not accurate enough for clinical applications. This is because the position where it cuts the genome is often random and prone to harmful non-target effects. In order to improve the accuracy and accuracy of Cas9/CRISPR to meet the requirements of the project, Wolfe suggests integrating with other technologies to improve the specificity of the method. This allows the CRISPR sequence to accurately edit HIV DNA without accidentally cutting the human genome.

  Cas9 / Another obstacle to using CRISPR to fight HIV. Researchers may know where the virus is hiding, but they still don't know how to find him in cells that the virus may infect.

  The person in charge of the collaborative study said: “Cells infected by HIV always carry the viral genome. They are like time bombs. If patients stop antiretroviral therapy, they can always resume activity.” Dr. Jeremy Rubin Say. He is a memorial professor of David J. Freelander and a professor of molecular medicine at the Center for AIDS Research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. "To attack a latent virus, you need to understand where the virus lives and the conditions needed to survive."

  Uban and Wolfe use a variety of new technologies to host cells. Record and integrate integrated functions. The HIV DNA of HIV is also called the provirus. Explaining the genetic characteristics of these potentially infected cells will help researchers identify sensitive and easily accessible gene sequences, remove certain HIV genes, and remove the HIV virus over a longer period of time. Can be disabled.

  Luban said: "Many scientists are looking for a way to activate the virus so that it can be exposed to the immune system and drugs, but another can directly isolate and remove the provirus from dormant cells. I chose this method." Wolf uses a genetic template that potentially infects cells and can use his genetic coding system to clear the virus from the cell. This is part of the feasibility of the project. It depends on whether the HIV gene excision system in the humanized mouse model can achieve sufficient accuracy, and whether the system also destroys the human genome of the infected patient's cells. Technology is driving the development of the project, but the basic premise of the project is to use genetic engineering to design a system that can remove HIV genes from infected cells. I'm. The medicine can directly reach the human immune system and eliminate hidden dangers. "

  Wolfe said: "We established a research group at the University of Massachusetts to better understand the potential HIV integrated into immune cells, which will allow us to use CRISPR technology for gene editing to target HIV. Because I am sure ."