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Gene Transfer Immunizes Against Monkey HIV Analog

Posted by timothy on from the good-to-live-in-the-21st-century dept.

Al writes "Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have immunized monkeys against the simian immunodeficiency virus, the animal model that is closest to HIV. They did so by shuttling a gene into the monkeys' muscles, making the muscle cells produce antibody-like molecules that work against SIV. With both SIV and HIV, the chameleon-like mutability of the virus's surface changes so quickly that most antibodies made by the immune system are soon rendered ineffective. Philip Johnson and colleagues designed DNA sequences for two antibodies known to be effective against SIV. They used antibody-like molecules, called immunoadhesins, in which the functional part of an antibody is fused with a more stable section of another antibody. The same approach could be used to deliver antibodies that are effective against HIV, but which the body doesn't normally produce."

4 of 104 comments (clear)

  1. that's good news.... by gandhi_2 · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...for all the HIV-analogous-positive monkeys.

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    THL phish sticks
    1. Re:that's good news.... by BaronHethorSamedi · · Score: 5, Funny

      You'd think that, but tragically, most HMOs refuse to cover monkeys, and gene transfer therapy is quite simply beyond the means of working class simians.

      Monkeys, write your congressman!

    2. Re:that's good news.... by clem · · Score: 5, Funny

      unprotected monkey sex, sharing heroin needles, and participating in HIV related research as test subjects

      I miss college.

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      Your courageous and selfless spelling corrections have made me a better person.
  2. Re:Waste of money by Gerafix · · Score: 5, Funny

    The analog version is obviously superior. I can feel the soft, velvety texture of the analog virus whereas the digital version seems rough and blocky.