Cells infected by HIV defend themselves, research shows
The study identifies the mechanism on how the cell's innate immune system (known as the interferon response) responds to HIV infection and how the virus affects this interferon response. The viral protein Vpr triggers the interferon response in T cells (as also in dendritic cells, other cells of the immune system which are also infected by HIV). Vpu, another viral protein, suppresses the interferon response. This discovery is the result of research by Dr. Jolien Vermeire and colleagues under supervision of Dr. Bruno Verhasselt at Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital A better understanding of the innate defense against H IV could in the long term allow to complement the current treatment. Because HIV infects and functionally impairs immune cells, untreated patients loose a functional immune system. As a consequence, germs and some cancers are given free rein (AIDS). Even if the virus is kept under control with medication, inflammation and degradation of establishe...