AIDS Defeated? Discovered Protein Makes HIV Vaccine Possible
by Cathy Cudmore
Back in the 1980s HIV/AIDS became the acronym on everyone’s tongue. Since then, the fight against AIDS has been one of the great battles in the field of science. Every year there are countless tests and research being done to help create a way to prevent AIDS, which is caused by HIV. A recent genetic discovery made public on February 14th, 2007 may be our answer. Peter Kwong, Ph.D., of The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease’s (NIAID) Vaccine Research Center (VRC) led a research team to this discovery. Kwong discovered that on the atomic-level view, the interaction between a rare B12 antibody and HIV virus surface proteins suggests a possibility for an HIV vaccine.
One of the main reasons it has been difficult to create an HIV vaccine thus far is that many of the virus’s proteins are constantly changing, and the virus itself rapidly replicates and mutates. It also has a very sturdy sugar coat that makes it nearly impossible for antibodies to get through in order to attack the proteins housed inside. However, the HIV gp120 protein remains a constant throughout the varying existing strains of the virus. The B12 antibody attacks the vulnerable HIV gp120 protein in the surface of the HIV virus, and the antibody begins to neutralize the protein. The receptor site where the B12 antibody binds to the gp120 protein is the same site that protein uses to bind to a CD4 receptor in cells. Contrary to the CD4 receptor, the B12 antibody can bind to the HIV gp120 protein without the necessary shape-change.
The B12 antibody is a rare antibody found only in some individuals, but scientists can now use this antibody’s behavior to map out a potential vaccine that replicates it’s behavior. Therefore, using the interaction between the B12 antibody and HIV gp120, scientists may have a possible base for a vaccine that can be used against all forms of HIV.
Of course, the news seems too good to be true. And maybe it is. Since this is a recent discovery, every HIV-specialized scientist is racing to test the vaccines, and this advancement remains only a small start to the long journey of conquering this destructive virus.
