• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, specifically targeting CD4 cells, which are a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and diseases.
2. What does it mean to be “cured” of HIV?
• Being “cured” of HIV means that the virus is no longer detectable in the body and the individual no longer needs antiretroviral therapy (ART) to control the virus. It suggests that the virus is not replicating or causing harm, although continued monitoring is necessary.
3. What is a stem cell transplant?
• A stem cell transplant involves replacing damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells. These stem cells can develop into different types of blood cells and can be used to treat certain diseases, including cancers and, in rare cases, HIV.
4. How does HIV usually enter immune cells?
• HIV typically enters immune cells through receptors on the cell surface, most commonly using a receptor called CCR5. Once inside, the virus integrates into the cell’s DNA and begins to replicate.
5. What role does the CCR5 gene play in HIV infection?
• The CCR5 gene encodes a protein that acts as a doorway for HIV to enter CD4 cells. Mutations in this gene can prevent HIV from entering these cells, thereby blocking infection.
6. How can a stem cell transplant cure HIV?
• In rare cases, a stem cell transplant can replace the patient’s immune cells with donor cells that lack the functional CCR5 receptor or have reduced expression. This prevents the virus from infecting new cells and can lead to a complete remission of HIV.
7. What is unique about the latest HIV cure case in Germany?
• The latest patient was cured of HIV despite receiving stem cells from a donor with only one mutated copy of the CCR5 gene. This suggests that partial disruption of CCR5 can still prevent the virus from returning.
8. Why isn’t stem cell transplantation a common treatment for HIV?
• Stem cell transplants are complex, risky, and expensive. They are typically only used for treating life-threatening conditions like certain cancers. The procedure involves significant risks, including the possibility of graft-versus-host disease and infections.
9. What are antiretroviral drugs and how do they help manage HIV?
• Antiretroviral drugs are medications used to treat HIV. They work by preventing the virus from replicating, thereby reducing the viral load in the body and helping to maintain a healthy immune system.
10. What future research is being done to cure HIV?
• Research is ongoing in several areas, including gene editing (like CRISPR-Cas9), immune modulation, and strategies to “wake up” latent virus hidden in the body and eliminate it. These approaches aim to find a safe and effective cure for all individuals living with HIV.
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