Gene scissors have the potential to treat AIDS, and the disease will eventually be conquered by science
Source：ROYAL BIOTECHTime：02/11/2023
It is reported that scientists in Hamburg, Germany are using new gene and cell therapy to fight against AIDS. With the support of Hamburg biotechnology startup Provirex, researchers are developing a new therapy based on "gene scissors" that "cuts out" the original HIV virus from the genome of infected cells and eliminates the virus.
If it is clinically successful, it will be the first time in human history that HIV is completely removed from the body, while the previous treatment of AIDS only inhibits the replication and reproduction of the virus.
Like other retroviruses, AIDS virus's genetic material will be integrated into the human host genome for replication when it proliferates.
Although the current antiretroviral therapy can effectively inhibit the reproduction of AIDS virus, it cannot eradicate this kind of integrated virus. Therefore, the virus can remain dormant during treatment and resume replication once treatment is discontinued
According to a recent announcement from the Max Planck Institute in Germany, the basic concept of this therapy comes from three German research institutions, namely the Heinrich Petr Institute (HPI), the Max Planck Institute's Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, and the Dresden University of Technology.
They jointly developed and optimized the "gene scissors": a recombinant enzyme called Brec1 was designed. Brec1 recombinase can recognize the common AIDS virus strains in clinic, and can safely and accurately "cut" the integrated protovirus in the genome of infected cells. The so-called proto virus refers to the potential viral genome that exists within the host chromosome.
Previously, they conducted cell experiments and experimental mouse experiments. The experiment shows that this recombinant enzyme can locate and identify more than 90% of clinical common AIDS virus strains, and can safely and accurately "cut" the integrated protovirus in the genome of infected cells.
The internationally authoritative academic journal Nature Biotechnology (NBT) also published research results in 2016, showing that this method does not damage the function of host cells and normal genes.
Katharina Fergebank, a science senator, said: "The start-up Provirex in Hamburg may make a decisive contribution to the fight against HIV and AIDS. This new form of treatment can liberate patients' cells from HIV permanently and accurately for the first time, which will be a medical, social and historical breakthrough in the treatment of HIV and AIDS."
If it is clinically successful, it will be the first time in human history that HIV is completely removed from the body, while the previous treatment of AIDS only inhibits the replication and reproduction of the virus.
Like other retroviruses, AIDS virus's genetic material will be integrated into the human host genome for replication when it proliferates.
Although the current antiretroviral therapy can effectively inhibit the reproduction of AIDS virus, it cannot eradicate this kind of integrated virus. Therefore, the virus can remain dormant during treatment and resume replication once treatment is discontinued
According to a recent announcement from the Max Planck Institute in Germany, the basic concept of this therapy comes from three German research institutions, namely the Heinrich Petr Institute (HPI), the Max Planck Institute's Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, and the Dresden University of Technology.
They jointly developed and optimized the "gene scissors": a recombinant enzyme called Brec1 was designed. Brec1 recombinase can recognize the common AIDS virus strains in clinic, and can safely and accurately "cut" the integrated protovirus in the genome of infected cells. The so-called proto virus refers to the potential viral genome that exists within the host chromosome.
Previously, they conducted cell experiments and experimental mouse experiments. The experiment shows that this recombinant enzyme can locate and identify more than 90% of clinical common AIDS virus strains, and can safely and accurately "cut" the integrated protovirus in the genome of infected cells.
The internationally authoritative academic journal Nature Biotechnology (NBT) also published research results in 2016, showing that this method does not damage the function of host cells and normal genes.
Katharina Fergebank, a science senator, said: "The start-up Provirex in Hamburg may make a decisive contribution to the fight against HIV and AIDS. This new form of treatment can liberate patients' cells from HIV permanently and accurately for the first time, which will be a medical, social and historical breakthrough in the treatment of HIV and AIDS."
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