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Published online 28 April 2008 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2008.785
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Hit the host to target HIV
Novel tactic for stopping virus replication may lead to new antiretrovirals.
A new method for halting the spread of HIV in the body could aid the search for drugs to manage infection. What's more, because the technique is aimed at proteins in the human immune system rather than the virus itself, it could potentially sidestep problems of resistance that have traditionally hampered HIV treatment regimes.
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ITK, also target for other diseases... And there are novel chemical compounds to inhibit ITK...see this United States patent 5,776,902
It seems to be a feasible tactic to delay to the spread of HIV infection. But, my concern would be the ability of the host to cope with viral diseases that are acute since the immune system starts to slow down. It may instead aid in spreaying of other viruses.
Intense persuasion, over expression of PPAR will initiate the adaptive immune system. A chronic immune response maybe interpreted as weak metabolic signaling. The involved dendritic cells, T cells and macrophages have not been provoked beyond tolerance. Using nicotinic acid to over express PPAR will cause unfurling of complement genes. Complete genes expression will improve dendrite cells to form MHC, T cells to increase TNF and macrophage phagocytotis. Improved functions of PPAR will also facilitate the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and other pathways. The enhanced metabolic signals will provoke the adaptive immune system to differentiate lymphocytes to memory T cells and memory B cells. Any chronic infection that has establishes suboptimal activation of dendritic cells, memory B cells and of macrophages can be eradicated once metabolic signals are enhanced. Achieving full immunity will occur between six to nine months. The ability of pathogens to use camouflage, such as ceramide, will not shield it. The efficacy of nicotinic acid can be impaired by agents (including lysine) that suppress transcription activities. Viral infected subjects must be healthy to endure the six to nine months. Those subjects with genital herpes should expect an outbreak each 28-days cycle for six months. Aspirin may help to limit the pro-inflammatory response. Subjects with drug resistant bacterial infection will be able to continue antibiotic therapy. The timescale for adaptive immunity is typical of a vaccine regiment. Nicotinic acid (flush-free or slow release) dosage is 1500 to 2000mg, divided doses, per day for six months. The dose is lowered to 1000 to 1500mg, divided doses, per day for the next six to twelve months. Sincerely, Norman A. Smith
«The researchers have filed a patent for the strategy of inhibiting ITK to tackl[e] HIV, and are now hoping that pharmaceutical companies will develop a drug that can successfully do this.» A perfect illustration of what is wrong with the patent system and the concept of «intellectual property» as practised in the United States. Such a «strategy» is not, and should not be allowed to become the «property» of person or group. It belongs to us all.... Henri
The discovery of the ITK enzyme is a very significant development in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of HIV infection. If this product is properly harnessed,I believe it will serve well those recently exposed to the infection.It may even be "adjuvanted" for use as a prophylactic vaccine since it does not totally alter T Cell functions.
Political correctness would not seem to have survival value. The host that must be "hit" to effectively combat HIV, is the man with the deviant behavior that is inclined toward behaviors that spread the disease. HIV/AIDS, time and the cost-effectiveness imperative that is pressing-down upon civilization will out that it falls into that category of what Garrett Hardin termed no technical solution problems.
I beleive that the ITK can be found naturnally in diferent species of blood sucking insects which are unable to transmit HIV, and may be this enzyme can syntheitised by a group of symbiotic bacteria live in their guts, where in my reseaches I found that these bacteria control the role of these insects in diseases transmition.Irecord this observation in the probable role of msquitoes in the transmition of HCV,and foud that the symbiotic bacteria play a very important role in the transmission of this disease, where they inhibit the virus replication by synthetizing special enzyme similar to ITK.and this can be take in consideration in discussing HIV transmission.
Maybe hitting the host cells is a innovational way for the controlling of the spread of HIV infection, and it gives researchers a new idea to do further research work in the field of AIDS. If a target T cell that does not affect the function of other immunology functions could be found is more promising.