HIV particles don't cause Aids; our immune cells do

[Ptrk3]

This article builds on earlier studies that indicate immune cell "suicide" kills off T-cells, and this latest finding adds to that record.  Now, if medical science could just find a way to block cell-to-cell transmission, a treatment breakthrough could be established:

Link removed by Joe K

[tednlou2]

Here is an article, which says this misrepresents the study results.  It also says it will surely help AIDS denialists.

http://www.thebodypro.com/content/76379/attempt-to-oversell-new-findings-on-pyroptosis-in-.html

[Joe K]

Here is an article, which says this misrepresents the study results.  It also says it will surely help AIDS denialists.

http://www.thebodypro.com/content/76379/attempt-to-oversell-new-findings-on-pyroptosis-in-.html

Ted,

Thanks for the quick catch on the article.

Ptrk3

I have removed the link to the article in question as we do not allow any links that support AIDS denialists.

Joe

[bocker3]

I simply don't understand how ANYONE, despite decades of evidence, can entertain the idea that HIV is not the cause of AIDS??? 
Just a little logic should make one ask, "well, if this is true, what caused the immune cell to "commit" suicide?".  Oh, yeah, the HIV!!!!

SMH.............   

Mike

[tryingtostay]

I'm surprised it made it's way to research pages. Where are the chief editors of publications like this?

It's like they threw all rational thought out the window.  Or it's like the perspective of an HIV sympathizer

[Ptrk3]

I don't think the article fits the aids denialist paradigm, but, of course, feel free to remove if it offends (which has been done).

I think the relevant research explores the subtle cell biology behind the progression of HIV disease.  The research hypothesis, if I'm understanding it correctly, is that it is the cell-to-cell transfer of the virus/infection rather than free-floating HIV particles themselves that causes disease progression.

Other studies have indicated that the T-cell destruction and inflammation is of a self-destructive nature (a mass suicide, so to speak) and that's what causes the loss of T-cells.  Practically speaking, if one reads the article, there are treatment implications to this hypothesis, if the hypothesis is true (i.e., if the cell to cell transmission of the virus can be somehow thwarted, the "suicidal" reaction could be stopped and the disease stopped in its tracks before too much damage to the immune system).  Perhaps that could lead to a "functional" cure.

Perhaps a better title would be that it's not the HIV particles themselves that cause the disease progression but how those HIV particles that infect the cells cause the cells to react and how that inter and intra-cellular reaction causes the disease to progress.

Truly, I don't think the research lets the virus "off the hook" in a denialist fashion. I, too, have no patience in "denialism."  Obviously, absence of the virus in the first place would keep the virus from entering cells.  However, I'm not a biologist, so I don't have the wherewithal to engage in a back and forth on the merits of the research. 

The purpose of my posting was to document research that may add to solving the HIV disease puzzle (and, perhaps, explain why some people are long term non-progressors:  it's in their cell biology) and charting a permanent treatment path forward, if found to be viable--if the hypothesis of the research is correct.

It sounds like this particular research will go forward, so perhaps future discoveries along these lines will bear fruit of some sort and the subtleties can be better understood.  In the alternative, the hypothesis may prove false.  The facts will out.

Perhaps, someone with a cell-biology background could explain whether this particular strand of research has worthwhile implications.

[bocker3]

Any researcher who sensationalizes their paper's title is suspect in my mind.  HIV causes AIDS!!  The biological mechanism that gets us there is important, for sure.  However, this title is not only misleading,  it is dangerous and false!

Mike

[Ptrk3]

I ran across this version of the story today (with a much more accurate headline, one that is less likely to be misconstrued to support "HIV denialism").  I hope this version of the story does not offend anyone.  At this point, I believe it remains a hypothesis but versions of the research have appeared in numerous current publications, so it is worth a look-see.

HIV is the culprit, of course, but the research, if borne out, implies HIV may cause Aids in a different way than previously thought.  The story also details some of the implications of this research:

http://aids.about.com/od/aidsfactsheets/fl/HIV-Does-Not-Cause-AIDS-in-the-Way-That-We-Thought.htm

[Joe K]

Thanks for the update.  The referenced article does present some interesting ideas on how HIV can progress to AIDS.  Here's hoping it leads to new thoughts on how to develop an effective vaccine.

Joe

[drewm]

Interesting read.

[freewillie99]

That article is a bit of a mind bender and seems like it might be a big deal some day. Gladstone is made up of brilliant people.

[Grasshopper]

Here it is again, this time by Aidsmeds :

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/cell_transfer_1667_27791.shtml

In their article they refer to Science Daily :

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150827141911.htm

The title is : "HIV particles do not cause AIDS, our own immune cells do

The virus turns host immune cells into suicide machines, using them to spread the virus and cause the progression from HIV to AIDS"