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single Gene Therapy Shot at Birth Could Offer Years of HIV Protection,study Finds
Groundbreaking research suggests a one-time gene therapy injection given shortly after birth may provide long-lasting immunity against HIV,offering a potential game-changer in the fight against pediatric HIV infections,particularly in resource-limited settings.
new Orleans, LA – In a significant leap forward in HIV prevention, a new study published[linktoFuturityorg-[linktoFuturityorg-[linktoFuturityorg-[linktoFuturityorg-vital for credibility]demonstrates that a single injection of gene therapy, administered in the first month of life, can protect nonhuman primates from HIV infection for at least three years. This breakthrough leverages a critical window of immune tolerance in newborns, perhaps reshaping how we approach preventing HIV transmission from mother to child.
The Challenge of Pediatric HIV
Every day, nearly 300 children are infected with HIV, primarily through mother-to-child transmission during breastfeeding. While antiretroviral therapies (ART) are effective in suppressing the virus, consistent adherence to treatment and regular access to healthcare remain major hurdles, especially in regions with limited resources.
“This approach could help protect newborns in high-risk areas during the most vulnerable period of thier lives,” explains Dr. Amir Ardeshir,associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the Tulane National Primate Research Center and lead author of the study.
A One-Time Solution: Gene Therapy’s Potential
The research team, collaborating with the California National Primate Research Center, utilized gene therapy to program cells to continuously produce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) – powerful antibodies capable of combating multiple strains of HIV. The key to success, though, lay in when the therapy was administered.
Infants receiving the treatment within their first month of life exhibited sustained protection against HIV infection without the need for booster shots. This suggests the possibility of protection extending into adolescence in humans. In contrast, those treated at 8-12 weeks showed substantially reduced treatment efficacy due to a more developed and less tolerant immune system.
How it Works: Turning Muscles into Antibody Factories
researchers employed an adeno-associated virus (AAV) – a harmless virus – to deliver the genetic code to muscle cells.These cells, known for their longevity, were then effectively transformed into “micro-factories” continuously producing bNAbs.
“Rather, we turn these muscle cells-which are long-lived-into micro factories that just keep producing these antibodies,” Dr. Ardeshir explains. This innovative approach overcomes a major limitation of previous bNAb therapies, which required frequent and costly infusions.
The Critical Window of Prospect
The study highlights the importance of the early neonatal period, when the immune system is naturally more receptive to new genetic material. researchers also found that in utero exposure to the antibodies could improve acceptance of the gene therapy in older infants, but a single injection at birth remains the most practical and cost-effective solution.
“This is a one-and-done treatment that fits the critical time when these mothers with HIV in resource-limited areas are most likely to see a doctor,” Dr. Ardeshir emphasizes. “As long as the treatment is delivered close to birth, the baby’s immune system will accept it and believe it’s part of itself.”
Remaining Questions & Future Research
While these findings
