2008 Woodie Awards
Measles virus slows progression of HIV infection
Issue date: 4/3/08
RNA is an effective indicator of the growth of the viruses in the cells because both the measles virus and HIV are retroviruses, meaning they use RNA to transmit genetic information into their hosts' cells, rather than DNA.
It was found that in cells that were infected with the measles virus first, and then with HIV, reproduction of HIV was blocked. The measles virus induces white blood cells to produce proteins that restrict lymphoproliferation, or the reproduction of infected lymphatic cells. The virus did not cause cells to die, but simply prevented cell growth.
The same phenomenon was noticed in HIV-infected cells that were infused with the measles virus later. Possible mechanistic pathways were investigated to determine the reason for this phenomenon.
It was concluded that the measles virus hinders RNA synthesis in HIV-infected cells, and it reduces levels of a critical class of proteins required for the rapid cell replication typical of HIV-infected cells.
The practical application of this experiment is clear and crucial: A method to prevent HIV/AIDS could be devised from these findings.
Infecting a person with measles is out of the question, but a new type of vaccine could be created that would give immunity to measles as well as HIV.
The researchers are already well underway with further research, exploring other interactions of the HIV virus.
It was found that in cells that were infected with the measles virus first, and then with HIV, reproduction of HIV was blocked. The measles virus induces white blood cells to produce proteins that restrict lymphoproliferation, or the reproduction of infected lymphatic cells. The virus did not cause cells to die, but simply prevented cell growth.
The same phenomenon was noticed in HIV-infected cells that were infused with the measles virus later. Possible mechanistic pathways were investigated to determine the reason for this phenomenon.
It was concluded that the measles virus hinders RNA synthesis in HIV-infected cells, and it reduces levels of a critical class of proteins required for the rapid cell replication typical of HIV-infected cells.
The practical application of this experiment is clear and crucial: A method to prevent HIV/AIDS could be devised from these findings.
Infecting a person with measles is out of the question, but a new type of vaccine could be created that would give immunity to measles as well as HIV.
The researchers are already well underway with further research, exploring other interactions of the HIV virus.
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