Journal of Cell Host & Microbe which includes this study. Gladstone Institute researchers identified a set of proteins that increase HIV infection.
Fibrous proteins (amyloid fibrils) in semen were associated with HIV transmission. This fibrous protein that helps HIV infection. This fibrous protein encourages the virus to find and attack the target, namely the white blood cells.
Fibrous proteins are positively charged while the negatively charged HIV. Fibrous protein binding in the semen of HIV and help infected white blood cells. Activities undertaken by these fibrous proteins such as HIV attractive magnet attracts iron.
"The experiments we did show that the fibrils originate from semenogelins. Semenogelins is the main component of semen, and can increase the infection of HIV in semen. But what makes us attracted by its natural function. In fact, fibrils that are found in the male reproductive organs can be suggests a role in helping conception of evolution. This is something we're exploring, "said researcher Dr. Nadia Roan as reported scienceagogo.com, Saturday (17/12/2011).
These findings became the beginning of the idea of making chemical gel that blocks HIV infection. When it was concluded that the existing barrier materials have failed due to only target the virus itself. But it does not prevent the virus infects naturally reinforced by the components of semen.
"How HIV hijacks these components to enhance the infection has been more we understand. This is a step closer to developing more effective drugs that can stop HIV," said Roan.
Eliminating positively charged components of the semen is a way that could reduce the ability of HIV to infect white blood cells.
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