How Does Smallpox Vaccination Protect Against HIV AIDS?
Once the HIV virus has gained entry to the body, HIV infects CD4 T cells, a pivotal cell of the immune system co-ordinating many other immune cells and molecules. One of the reasons AIDS is so devastating is the effect that HIV has on this important cell, disabling it and rendering the individual immunodeficient. In this new study, scientists took white blood cells (containing CD4 T cells), from people recently immunised with the smallpox vaccine, Vaccinia. They found a five fold reduction in the ability of HIV to replicate in the cells. Read on The Origins of HIV Genetics has shown that HIV, known as the AIDS virus, has a longer history of infection in North America than once thought. As the HIV virus enters T cells, it makes use of a cell-surface receptor called CCR5. The smallpox virus also uses this receptor. Dr Weinstein thinks that when the smallpox virus grabs hold of this CCR5 receptor to penetrate the T cell, it alters it in some way. The HIV virus may then subsequently find i
Related Questions
- If there were an "incident," would there be enough antibiotics available to treat people exposed to anthrax or vaccine available to protect people against smallpox?
- How should vaccination dressings, and other contaminated smallpox vaccination waste be disposed of in the home?
- Can uridine supplements protect people with HIV/AIDS from drug toxicity?
