Detection of peptides in the blood inhibits HIV / AIDS virus

According to a study published in the journal Cell, a natural peptide in the blood can help find new therapies to fight HIV / AIDS. Currently, there are about 20 drugs to treat HIV / AIDS, but this human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is more likely to adapt, causing resistance in patients.

Model of HIV / AIDS virus (Photo: HTV)

Some inhibitors of HIV / AIDS virus have been detected in human blood. The team led by Dr. Frank Kirchhoff of the University of Ulm (Germany) screened isolated blood peptides to detect new inhibitors.

The researchers isolated the inhibitory peptide (peptide) and noted that it proved to be very effective in inhibiting the activity of HIV virus on cells. They also found that altering some amino acids that make up this peptide reduces its inhibitory ability.

VIRIP plays an important role in the ability of viruses to attach to cells. It binds to the gp41 protein that is present on the virus surface. The virus normally uses this protein when first exposed to host cells. VIRIP prevents this contact.

The first test in animals gave promising results. VIRIP is not harmful to cells. However, researchers do not know how this peptide works in the body.

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