Scientists believe they may have found the key to fighting HIV – and it rests in the immune system of llamas.
Researchers injected llamas with 60 different strains of HIV, and found that special antibodies produced by the animals in response successfully neutralised every single one of them.
The discovery may pave the way towards developing the first effective HIV vaccine.
Scientists injected the creatures with HIV genetic material to test their immune response.
The llamas produced special, smaller antibodies which successfully prevented the HIV particles from invading white blood cells
The llamas produced special, smaller antibodies which successfully prevented the HIV particles from invading white blood cells Credit: PA
What they found was the llamas produced a four kinds of special ‘two-chain’ antibodies – smaller than the usual four-chain antibodies found in most mammals, including humans.
These smaller antibodies were able to bind to the HIV viral particles and prevent them from invading white blood cells.
These antibodies are not normally present in llamas’ systems, but were only produced in response to the HIV.
The antibodies are not normally present in llamas’ systems, but were only produced in response to the HIV.
The antibodies are not normally present in llamas’ systems, but were only produced in response to the HIV. Credit: PA
The study, published in online journal the Public Library of Science Pathogens, found that while the quantities of the antibodies were not high enough to be used immediately as a vaccine against HIV, it opened a door to further research which could help save lives in future.
source: itv.com
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 