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Researchers at George Mason
University (GMU) in Fairfax County, Va. are in the early stages of experimenting
with genistein, a compound in soybeans and other plants, as an effective HIV
treatment.
Genistein is a tyrosine kinase
inhibitor, which blocks cell communication. Normally, sensors on the cell’s
surface communicate with the cell’s interior as well as with other cells. HIV
tricks the surface sensors into sending signals to the interior that change the
cell’s structure and allow the virus to enter and infect it. According to
Yuntao Wu, a professor with the GMU-based National Center for Biodefense and
Infectious Diseases and the Department of Molecular and Microbiology, genistein
disrups this cellular deception that allows the virus to infect cells. This
approach differs from that of antiretrovirals, which attack the virus itself.
The researchers believe that manipulating the cell rather than the virus might
be more successful in preventing drug resistance.
Wu noted that the research is in an
early stage, but if genistein proves to be effective, it could be used along
with current HIV treatment. Wu also believes that the plant-based approach
could reduce the common side effect of drug toxicity caused by the frequency
and lifelong duration of multidrug treatments to which HIV-infected individuals
must adhere. The researchers are working to determine the amount of genistein
needed to inhibit HIV and whether the level of genistein found naturally in
plants would be enough or if they would need to develop drugs.
Due to sequestration-based budget
cuts, the lab has had to locate new ways to fund its research, including the
“NYC DC AIDS Research Ride” cycling fundraiser, which previously raised money
for the lab.
The full report, “Genistein
Interferes with SDF-1- and HIV-Mediated Actin Dynamics and Inhibits HIV
Infection of Resting CD4 T Cells,” was published online in the journal
Retrovirology (2013; 10 (1): 62 doi: 10.1186/1742-4690-10-62).
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus.
To learn more about The Friends of
AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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