Scientists have “unexpectedly” found a vaccine that completely blocks HIV infection in monkeys
Human trials of the surprisingly simple vaccine are now planned.
A new oral vaccine has been found to completely stop rhesus macaque monkeys from being infected with SIV, the monkey equivalent of HIV.
The new vaccine works in the opposite way to most vaccines - by suppressing, rather than triggering, an immune response.
This is because HIV and SIV actually require immune cells known as CD4 T-cells in order to proliferate and establish an infection in the body.
The vaccine works because it's made up of inactivated SIV, but, importantly, it’s given alongside doses of bacteria that are familiar to the body and are recognised as ‘friendly’ - in this case, strains used in probiotics.
http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20142908-26093.html
Human trials of the surprisingly simple vaccine are now planned.
A new oral vaccine has been found to completely stop rhesus macaque monkeys from being infected with SIV, the monkey equivalent of HIV.
The new vaccine works in the opposite way to most vaccines - by suppressing, rather than triggering, an immune response.
This is because HIV and SIV actually require immune cells known as CD4 T-cells in order to proliferate and establish an infection in the body.
The vaccine works because it's made up of inactivated SIV, but, importantly, it’s given alongside doses of bacteria that are familiar to the body and are recognised as ‘friendly’ - in this case, strains used in probiotics.
http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20142908-26093.html
