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Semen Boosts HIV Spread

Semen Boosts HIV Spread A component that is abundant in human semen can increase HIV's ability to cause infection by several orders of magnitude, according to findings reported by researchers from Germany, Spain, and the United States (Münch J et al. Cell. 2007;131[6]:1059-1071). The researchers demonstrated that naturally occurring fragments of prostatic acidic phosphatase form amyloid fibrils that capture HIV particles and promote their attachment to target cells, specifically CD4 T cells and macrophages. They also found that the fibrils, which they termed semen-derived enhancer of virus infection (SEVI), reduced the amount of virus needed to infect human tonsillar tissue and enhanced infection of transgenic rats engineered to have human receptors for HIV-1 infection. The new findings suggest that SEVI may play an important role in HIV infection and thus may have important implications for HIV prevention, the researchers noted. SEVI's effects in enhancing viral infection and its relatively low toxicity suggest it could be used to help boost the potency of an HIV vaccine. In addition, agents that block SEVI's effects “may offer new prospects for preventive strategies,” they said. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png JAMA American Medical Association

Semen Boosts HIV Spread

Stephenson, Joan
JAMA , Volume 299 (3) – Jan 23, 2008
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Semen Boosts HIV Spread

Abstract

A component that is abundant in human semen can increase HIV's ability to cause infection by several orders of magnitude, according to findings reported by researchers from Germany, Spain, and the United States (Münch J et al. Cell. 2007;131[6]:1059-1071). The researchers demonstrated that naturally occurring fragments of prostatic acidic phosphatase form amyloid fibrils that capture HIV particles and promote their attachment to target cells, specifically CD4 T cells and...
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Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0098-7484
eISSN
1538-3598
DOI
10.1001/jama.299.3.279-c
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

A component that is abundant in human semen can increase HIV's ability to cause infection by several orders of magnitude, according to findings reported by researchers from Germany, Spain, and the United States (Münch J et al. Cell. 2007;131[6]:1059-1071). The researchers demonstrated that naturally occurring fragments of prostatic acidic phosphatase form amyloid fibrils that capture HIV particles and promote their attachment to target cells, specifically CD4 T cells and macrophages. They also found that the fibrils, which they termed semen-derived enhancer of virus infection (SEVI), reduced the amount of virus needed to infect human tonsillar tissue and enhanced infection of transgenic rats engineered to have human receptors for HIV-1 infection. The new findings suggest that SEVI may play an important role in HIV infection and thus may have important implications for HIV prevention, the researchers noted. SEVI's effects in enhancing viral infection and its relatively low toxicity suggest it could be used to help boost the potency of an HIV vaccine. In addition, agents that block SEVI's effects “may offer new prospects for preventive strategies,” they said.

Journal

JAMA – American Medical Association

Published: Jan 23, 2008

Keywords: hiv,seminal fluid

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