Rare Gene Mutation Associated With Resisting HIV, Scientists Say
RARE GENE MUTATION – Spanish scientists recently reported that a rare gene mutation could protect against HIV.
According to PhilStar, the said genetic mutation causes a form of muscular dystrophy, thus, affecting the limbs.
This breakthrough was found a decade after “The Berlin Patient” or American Timothy Brow, is now known as the first person cured of HIV via a bone marrow transplant from a donor with a mutation of the gene CCR5.
The new gene mutation is more on the Transportin 3 gene or TNPO3 and is way more rare compared to the CCR5.
The TNPO3 was found years ago on members of a family living in Spain who were diagnosed with type 1F limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. The doctors tending the said family knew of the HIV researchers’ interest in the gene since it plays a role in delivering the virus inside cells.
As per the report, they then talked with the geneticists based in the city of Madrid, who took blood samples from the family members, and infect the blood with HIV. The experiment revealed a surprise to the researchers.
The white blood cells or the lymphocytes, which plays a vital role in the immune system, within people with rare muscular illness are naturally resistant to HIV.
Virologist Jose Alcami of the Carlos III Health Institute said that it will help them understand more on the transport of the virus in the cell.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV is one of the most studied viruses, Alcami said, who also added that there is much remained to be learned like why 5% of patients infected do not develop AIDS. He added that there is much to mechanisms of resistance to infection that are yet to be understood.
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