Health News
2006-02-11
Synthetic
compound may block HIV infection
Compound is
electrically drawn to HIV and interferes with its outer
membrane.
Researchers at
Researchers at
Vanderbilt University have discovered a synthetic compound
that may interfere with HIV’s outer membrane and
prevent infection with the virus, BBC News reports.
Lab tests show the compound, called CSA-54 and culled
from a family of synthetic compounds called ceragenins, is
electrostatically drawn to some viruses, fungi, and
bacteria. Because HIV’s outer membrane is
negatively charged, it draws CSA-54 to it, at which
point the compound binds to the virus and prevents it from
being able to latch onto and infect immune system
cells.
"This is
particularly important, as a compound that targets the viral
membrane is likely to be effective against all strains of
the virus regardless of mutations, as the viral
membrane remains unchanged," lead researcher Derya
Unutmaz told BBC News.
The researchers
are planning a second round of tests, with the goal of
eventually moving the compound into animal and human
studies. (Advocate.com)
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