Scientists identify molecular signals that rouse dormant HIV infection

[Tadeys]

Perhaps the single greatest barrier to curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS is the dormant, or "latent," reservoir of virus, which is out of reach of even the most potent medications. But now, scientists at the Gladstone Institutes have uncovered new clues that may help researchers awaken HIV from its slumber—laying the foundation for purging all trace of the virus, and for one day finding a cure for the more than 34 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS.

In a paper being published today in PLOS One, researchers in the laboratory of Gladstone Investigator Warner C. Greene, MD, PhD, have uncovered the molecular signals that guide the activation of latent HIV. Specifically, they showed how molecular crosstalk between calcium and an enzyme called calcineurin, along with a molecule called prostratin, switch on members of the NF-κB family of proteins—thereby activating latent HIV. These findings point to a new strategy of artificially activating HIV—a process that experts believe is key to flushing out all evidence of infection and developing a cure for HIV/AIDS.

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-10-scientists-molecular-rouse-dormant-hiv.html

[Mishma]

Good thing too because they now estimate our reservoirs to be at least 60% larger than previously thought. I am flabbergasted that this hasn't been determined earlier with PCR and Histology.

A cure is one thing estimating the "enemies strength," is something you do at the beginning.


http://www.hiv-reservoir.net/index.php/the-news/432-mechanisms-of-hiv-persistence.html