The Human Immunodeficiency Virus is spreading almost like wildfire. Countries that had minimal HIV cases now see those numbers growing. There is no doubt that the urgency to find a cure is pressing. Fortunately, a group of scientists, from the University of Oxford, are developing a cure that will not only stop the spread of HIV, but will also kill HIV cells.
The treatment was first caught on by a British company, which scientists at the University of Oxford have expounded on. According to Nature World News, the study centers around modified protein cells called the immune-mobilizing T cell receptors-based drugs (ImmTAVs). These cells are two-headed proteins that, when provided to an HIV-positive individual, could help his or her immune system eradicate the HIV cells.
One head of the ImmTAV is meant to locate these HIV-infected cells. Even at low levels, it is possible. The other head contains the antibody that attaches to CD3 and kills the cells. CD3, or cluster of differentiation 3, is a multimeric protein complex.
As ABC News adds, scientists were surprised by how well the treatment worked. In fact, Associate Professor Harrich, who heads the HIV molecular virology laboratory at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, says that it exceeded his expectations. "The protein didn't just inhibit the virus' ability to produce virus particles and spread to other cells, it shut it down completely."
He explains that the protein would not actually kill the HIV-infected cells. However, the cells would be "essentially switched off," almost making them irrelevant. Further, spreading would be stopped as well. Professor Harrich admits that there is definitely still a lot of work to be done. In fact, he refuses to say that the study will definitely lead to the cure to HIV. At this point, the scientists are just thrilled at the prospects.
As Lucy Dorrel from the University of Oxford explains, "ImmTAVs are likely to be one part of an HIV eradication strategy, rather than a complete cure."
