One-Time Vaccine Can Treat AIDS, Finds Study

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic fatal condition which is caused by HIV(human immunodeficiency virus). The virus can be transmitted from one person to another through body fluids like blood, vaginal fluid and semen. A person first gets HIV infection that develops into AIDS over time. Since there are no symptoms of this condition, people remain unaware about them being HIV-positive. For decades, this condition remained untreatable but there is a ray of hope now as research finds a vaccine that can treat AIDS.

Vaccine For AIDS

As per a study published in the journal ‘Nature’, a research team from Tel Aviv University, Israel has developed a formula that will be soon administered as vaccines. This breakthrough invention is based on administering anti-HIV antibodies in the person’s body. Type B white blood cells are used in secreting these antibodies to improve life quality and expectancy, if not treat completely.

How a vaccine can treat AIDS?

This vaccine against AIDS utilizes B cells, a type of white blood cells that secrete anti-HIV antibodies to neutralize the virus present in the body. These cells are genetically engineered inside the body to neutralize the AIDS-causing virus.

• Type B white blood cells are formed in the bone marrow. They later move to other body parts through lymph and blood to mature. These B cells generate antibodies when bacteria, viruses and pathogens attack. 
• This vaccine is generated by genetically engineering these B cells with antibodies against HIV. These do not interrupt with the body system other than generating required antibodies.

Scientists used CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) technology to do the genome editing to develop the vaccine. This mechanism helps in inserting desired genes in the body as well disabling unwanted genes to bring about the change. The CRISPR technology introduces the genes and viral carriers to the B white cells to initiate gene editing. Carriers belonging to the Adeno-Associated Virus family were used in making this injection for AIDS. This viral vector is also effective against many chronic diseases.

Summing up, the vaccine made using this viral vector through genome editing can potentially treat HIV-AIDS in one shot. This can improve the health condition of the patient. This has brought a hope that in the coming years, AIDS won’t remain a life-threatening condition. Also, this research has opened up opportunities for developing medication to defeat AIDS virus.

Image credits- freepik