AIDS' Vulnerable Site Found

AIDS virus handshakes with the cells it attacks - this was revealed by scientists who managed to capture the image of such biological handshaking. The scientists say this discovery gives them a hope to find a vaccine against the deadly disease which very easily transmits through sexual intercourse. They revealed that there is a place on the outside of the HIV which might be vulnerable to antibodies that can prevent it from infecting human cells.

The study on this matter published in the journal Nature is said to be likely to reveal the long-sought „site of vulnerability“ of the human immunodificiency virus. This vulnerable site can be targeted with a special vaccine which prevents infection. According to U. S National Institutes of Health researcher Peter Kwong, the discovery definitely means that a vaccine against AIDS is no more only a dream. It is really possible, though it is not found yet.

Scientists agree that nothing but a vaccine can stop the spread of AIDS which is to blame of death of more than 25 million people throughout the world since it was for the first time in 1981. Today there are about 40 million people living with HIV, the majority being concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa.

Thought today dozens of possible vaccines are in development, there are only two AIDS vaccine candidates today. These are vaccines made by Merck and Co. and by Sanofi-Aventis SA.

The main difficulty in finding a vaccine against HIV is that the virus attacks immune systém cells. Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases managed to make images of the virus and to reveal the structure of protein on the virus' s surface.This protein called gp120 is bound to an infection-fighting antibody and seems to be susceptible to this antibody's attacks. This antibody is called b12 and it can neutralize the virus.

Scientists revealed a definite interaction. The virus tries to grab the cells sent by the body to protect it and to infect them. The first contact between the cells and the virus is like cautions handshake which than becomes like bear hug.

HIV uses gp120 to get entry into the cells it infects. The scientists found that antibody gp120 is capable to block this process.

The worst thing is that HIV mutates very quickly and neutralizes the immune systém's efforts to target it. As well it prevents antibodies from blocking the proteins which the virus uses to infect a cell.

This makes it clear that though the findings are of very great importance, much work in human studies is needed. Any vaccine against AIDS is years away, so all measures to prevent it, like use of condoms, must be taken.