Achilles Heel Of HIV Pinpointed? Jul 16, 2008
Pathologists Believe They Have Pinpointed Achilles Heel Of HIV. Pathologists Believe They Have Pinpointed Achilles Heel Of HIV. (Science Daily)
Simian Foamy Virus Found To Be Widespread Among Chimpanzees Jul 8, 2008
19, 2004) People in Central Africa who hunt monkeys and great apes are routinely being infected by retroviruses, the class of viruses that includes HIV. An international team of researchers from Cameroon and ... (July 14, 2005) Scientists have identified the first reported case in Asia of primate-to-human transmission of simian foamy virus (SFV), a retrovirus found in macaques and other primates. (Science Daily)
Nanotubes Could Help Study Retrovirus Transmission Between Human Cells Jul 2, 2008
ScienceDaily (July 1, 2008) Recent findings by medical researchers indicate that naturally occurring nanotubes may serve as tunnels that protect retroviruses and bacteria in transit from diseased to healthy cells -- a fact that may explain why vaccines fare poorly against some invaders ... Growing nanotubes to examine protected passages of retroviruses. (Science Daily)
AIDS vaccine still out of reach May 18, 2008
Moreover, the retrovirus can undergo more mutations during the infection of a single individual than the entire world flu epidemic, which requires development of a new vaccine every year, Walker said. With 33 million people living with HIV worldwide, developing a vaccine to protect simultaneously against all the pathogen's variants is a considerable challenge, Walker said. (India Times, India -- Health/Science)
Dr. Anthony Fauci reflects on 25 years of HIV May 16, 2008
On the 25th anniversary of the first scientific article linking a retrovirus to AIDS, Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, reflects in an essay in Nature on his experience treating and studying HIV/AIDS for the past quarter century. Outlining the peaks and valleys of the scientific communitys journey so far, Dr. Fauci writes, we must learn from our mis-steps, build on our successes in... (EurekAlert!)
Stem Cell Researchers Demonstrate Safety Of Gene Therapy Using Adult Stem Cells May 8, 2008
Genes were inserted into the hematopoietic stem cells using one of two viral vectors either a retrovirus or a lentivirus before they were transplanted into the mice, along with genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells. Of the mice used in the long-term study, four developed human leukemia. (Science Daily)
12-year-old needing organ transplant May 2, 2008
Things suddenly changed in May 2006 when Karli and her 3 siblings all contracted a retrovirus. "This was bad enough for Karli's brother and two sisters, but for Karli it was devastating," Kelly said. (Clanton Advertiser, AL)
Vaccine search is vital in HIV/AIDS arsenal Apr 10, 2008
Khanlou and Weinstein incorrectly stated that there is no precedent for a vaccine against the retroviruses, the viral family to which HIV belongs. Veterinarians administer a vaccine for protection against the leading viral killer of cats, a retrovirus called feline leukemia virus. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Stem Cells from Skin Reduce Parkinsons Symptoms in Lab Rats Apr 10, 2008
The research team, led by Rudolph Jaenisch at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at MIT, made the skin cells of a mouse pluripotent by infecting them with a retrovirus carrying four genes. This was a previously developed method for reprogramming cells. (MedIndia)
A story of love and loss remembering DustyPosted 4 hours, 13 minutes ago. Apr 6, 2008
FeLV is a blood retrovirus that afflicts only cats. The virus is shed in high numbers in saliva and nasal secretions, as well as urine and feces from infected cats. (Lima News, OH)
Brown rejects SNP's 500m funding call Apr 2, 2008
The epidemic was caused by the introduction of a new retrovirus (the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV for short); and the introduction of a new herpes-8 virus, the virus that causes Kaposis sarcoma, widely known as the gay cancer of AIDS. The taboo theory that AIDS is a man-made disease is largely based on research showing an intimate connection between government vaccine experiments and the outbreak of the gay plague. brownlie. (Scotsman)
Where did viruses come from? Mar 28, 2008
HIV, which is thought to have first emerged in humans in the 1930s, is another kind of virus, known as a retrovirus ... In fact, we carry among our genes many "fossilized" retroviruses left over from the infection of distant ancestors which can help us trace our evolution as a species. (Scientific American)
HIV Vaccine Funding: 'Enough is Enough,' Says AHF in Baltimore Sun Mar 24, 2008
Twenty years of research and the fact remains: a vaccine against a retrovirus, the family of viruses HIV belongs to, has never been successfully developed. It is highly unlikely that there will be an AIDS vaccine - certainly not by any current standard definition of the word. (PR Newswire)
Gene Therapy Can Cause Leukemia In Large Animals Mar 24, 2008
6, 2007) Gene therapy -- whereby a retrovirus that integrates into the genome of a treated patient is used to deliver the gene of interest -- has been used to treat some individuals with inherited diseases. (May 16, 2006) Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and NIAID have successfully restored the immune system in basset pups with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (the so-called "bubble-boy". (Science Daily)
HIV cases reduced in New Zealand Mar 21, 2008
The New Zealand AIDS Foundation is welcoming the reduction in overall numbers of new HIV diagnoses in 2007, in particular that diagnoses among gay and bisexual men have remained equivalent to 2006 levels. Figures released by the AIDS Epidemiology Group show that 156 new HIV diagnoses were recorded in 2007, with 71 of these being men who were infected through sex with another man. (Health Newstrack)
The AIDS Conspiracy Handbook Mar 20, 2008
military lab manufactured the disease by synthesizing (a retrovirus that causes T-cell leukemia) with (a sheep virus). The scientists administered their lethal concoction to prison inmates, who then introduced the disease into the general population. (Slate)
Understanding Primate Evolution Could Aid HIV Research Mar 6, 2008
A few years ago, researchers discovered that a gene called TRIM5 allows most primates to inhibit the human immunodeficiency virus and other retroviruses, which use reverse transcription to insert themselves into their host s genome. It turns out that TRIM5 exists in all primates, humans included, and that it s involved in a rapid evolutionary back and forth with retroviruses: Each species has a unique TRIM5 gene that has evolved to deflect retroviruses, and each retrovirus has mutated in... (Science Daily)
Immune System Versus Solid Tumor: An Example Of The Immune System Winning Feb 22, 2008
The gene responsible for making this protein was part of a region of human chromosome 6 derived from a human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) type E.. The authors therefore suggested that HERV-E is activated in metastatic kidney cancer providing a protein target for the immune system. (Science Daily)
Imitating monkey's 'jumping genes' could lead to new treatments for HIV Feb 19, 2008
UCL (University College London) scientists have taken a significant step in understanding how retroviruses such as HIV can move between species and the biological mechanisms behind the jumping genes which make some monkeys immune ... The international team of researchers, coordinated by Professor Greg Towers, UCL Infection and Immunity, and funded by the Wellcome Trust, have identified a combination of genes in a species of monkey that protects against retroviruses a particularly... (EurekAlert!)
Breaking Our Patents Abroad: How Not to Promote Affordable Drugs Feb 16, 2008
In July 2005, that country's Ministry of Health announced a six-year agreement with Abbott in which the Chicago-area company would lower the price of its HIV/AIDS retrovirus drug Kaletra ... In May 2006, its government announced an "agreement" with the San Francisco-based Gilead Sciences to reduce its price of the anti-HIV retrovirus drug Viread by about 50 percent ... On January 23 of this year, the U.S. Patent mark Office revoked four key patents held by Gilead Sciences on its HIV/AIDS... (Townhall.com)
Scientists Show Stem Cells Don't Cause Cancer Feb 16, 2008
THURSDAY, Feb. 14 (HealthDay News) -- A major concern with using stem cells to treat disease has been the possibility that the retrovirus used to implant the cells might cause cancer, but now a group of scientists appears to have solved that problem ... In this latest study, published in the Feb. 14 issue of Science, the Japanese researchers prove these stem cells are made from normal mature adult cells, and they show that these stem cells can be implanted using a retrovirus without fear of... (MEDLINEplus)
Stem cell treatment becomes safer Feb 16, 2008
They again used a retrovirus to introduce four genes, this time experimenting with adult mouse liver and stomach lining cells. Mice implanted with these induced pluripotent stem cells remained tumour free after six months, according to the study. (India Times, India -- Health/Science)
Former RI priest HIV positive Feb 15, 2008
HIV is a retrovirus that may lead to AIDS.. Fort Worth Vicar General Michael F. Olson then got verbal confirmation from Magaldi as well as a letter from his doctor saying Magaldi is being treated for HIV but not AIDS, Svacina said. (Providence Journal)
Experiment to treat genital herpes produces no protection Feb 5, 2008
Results of the long-awaited study, which included gay men in San Francisco, Seattle, New York and Peru, as well as women in Africa, were released here Monday at the 15th annual Retrovirus conference, the premiere annual scientific meeting of AIDS researchers. Nearly 20 years of various studies on herpes had shown that herpes infection nearly tripled the risk of contracting HIV. The assumption was simple -- use acyclovir, a proven anti-herpes drug, to knock down that infection, and the odds of... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Technology)
A Taxing Issue: How Human T-lymphotropic Virus Can Cause Leukemia In Adults Feb 1, 2008
HTLV-1 is a retrovirus that causes adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL) ... 23, 2003) Scientists here have found that a protein in the retrovirus known as human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) can cause immune cells to divide and proliferate, helping the virus spread through. (Science Daily)
Anti-parasite drug may provide new way to attack HIV Feb 1, 2008
Retrovirology publishes peer-reviewed, high-impact articles on basic retrovirus research. The journal is edited by Kuan-Teh Jeang, M.D., Ph. (EurekAlert!)
New Method Exploits Ancient Mechanism To Switch Genes On And Off At Will Jan 30, 2008
23, 2004) Reproductive biologists at Kyoto University have succeeded in producing the first animal offspring with transgenic material carried directly from sperm stem cells "infected" by a retrovirus. . (Science Daily)
Viruses For A Healthy Pregnancy Jan 30, 2008
Retrovirus infections represent the most intimate host-pathogen relationship ... As a result, an endogenous retrovirus (ERV) can exist for millions of years ... Over the course of evolution, retroviruses have invaded the germ-line of our ancestors on numerous occasions. (Science Daily)
New Resistance Mechanism To Anti-HIV Drugs Discovered Jan 29, 2008
Antiretroviral drugs currently represent the only hope of a better future for millions of HIV positive patients; and among these, reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) are the most important group in the fight against HIV. The role of reverse transcriptase in retrovirus replication was stated in 1970 when Temin and Baltimore discovered its role in the Rous sarcoma virus which is a type of avian retrovirus. However, regardless of the time passed and the development of powerful new inhibitors... (Science Daily)
Sub-Saharan Africa: The Population Emergency Jan 10, 2008
12, 2007) The population dynamics of complete copies of primate endogenous retrovirus family K in the genomes of humans, chimpanzee and rhesus monkey have revealed a surprising pattern. Human ERV-K had a. (Science Daily)
Sexually Transmitted Infections Jan 7, 2008
THE MAJOR STIs HIV and Aids - caused by a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. At that severe stage of infection the person is often diagnosed as having Aids Chlamydia - generally symptom free bacterial infection that is a significant cause of infertility Gonorrhoea - caused by a bacterium. (BBC News -- Health)
Gene Neighbors May Have Taken Turns Battling Retroviruses Jan 4, 2008
D., a postdoctoral research fellow in the Basic Sciences Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, now finds that in addition to the previously identified TRIM5 gene that can defend against retroviruses like HIV, a related gene right next door, called TRIM22, may have participated in antiviral defense ... This suggests that at various times over the past millions of years, both genes alternately have defended against retroviruses ... Previous work had shown that TRIM5 has been locked in genetic... (Science Daily)
US team moves stem-cell advance ahead Dec 27, 2007
Yamanaka's team used a retrovirus to deliver four genes into skin cells taken from a mouse and an adult human. In essence, this turned the clock back so that these cells lost their differentiated profile and became so-called induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS.. (Toronto Star)
Embryonic stem cells found from skin Dec 24, 2007
Yamanaka's team used a retrovirus to deliver four genes into skin cells taken from a mouse and an adult human, this turned the clock back so that these cells lost their differentiated profile and became iPS cells. However, the work of Daley's team marks a step forward to "patient-specific" stem cells -- in other words, transplanted stem cells that carry the same genetic code as the patient and thus cannot be rejected as alien by the body's immune system. (Xinhuanet, China)
Stem cell wars not over, Harvard researchers say Dec 17, 2007
In what is even more of a lurking threat, the process uses retroviruses to carry the genes into cells ... "The retrovirus can be a Trojan horse that can carry all sorts of problems.". (Boston Globe)
Advancing Stem Cell Gene Therapy Dec 17, 2007
In the Phase I trial for patients with advanced malignancies, researchers collected peripheral blood stem cells from patients and exposed them to a retrovirus containing the G156A-MGMT gene. Adapted from materials provided by. (Science Daily)
Ireland Cancer Center researchers advance stem cell gene therapy Dec 13, 2007
In the Phase I trial for patients with advanced malignancies, researchers collected peripheral blood stem cells from patients and exposed them to a retrovirus containing the G156A-MGMT gene. In addition to this promising research, Ireland Cancer Center scientists presented 24 oral and poster presentations at ASH. The breadth and depth of this innovative hematologic research at the Ireland Cancer Center are outstanding, says Alvin Schmaier, MD, Chief of Hematology/Oncology at UHCMC and Case... (EurekAlert!)
Full Story » Dec 5, 2007
He was recruited to the UW in 1996 to direct the retrovirus laboratory of Dr. Lawrence Corey, head of the UW's virology division in the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Brodie told investigators. Liggitt said the investigation began when a rival researcher, who was reviewing a paper Brodie submitted for publication, noticed some anomalies and notified the federal Office of Research Integrity, which, in turn, notified the UW in August 2002. (Boulder Colorado Daily, CO)
Myc-less mice produce stem cells Dec 4, 2007
In a new paper published today in , Yamanaka describes a modified protocol for the generation of iPS cells that does not require the Myc retrovirus. Myc was one of a cocktail of four transcription factors used in the initial experiments, along with Oct3/4, Sox2 and Klf4. (Australian Life Scientist)
'I've HIV, but I love life, with my partner and son' Dec 1, 2007
While I had a low level of the virus in my blood I took anti-retroviral drugs (HIV is a retrovirus) to bring it down to zero. This also meant that the virus would not cross the placenta into the foetus. (Belfast Telegraph)
Stem-cell news buoys UGA expert Nov 24, 2007
" Scientists in Japan and Wisconsin this week announced they had turned adult human skin cells into stem cells, which have the ability to develop into other types of cells - blood, lungs, neural and so on. The breakthrough was hailed by opponents of research using a kind of stem cells called embryonic stem cells, which are taken from embryos and which Stice uses in his research at UGA. The new technique holds the promise that scientists now can create stem cells without embryos, and without the... (Athens Banner-Herald)
Scientists Turn Human Skin Cells Into Stem Cells Nov 22, 2007
This year, the researchers tried the same method in humans: using a retrovirus to activate specific transcription genes in the skin cells ... Because of the usage of retroviruses, iPS cells may be more tumorigenic than human embryonic stem cells ... We will have to find a way to avoid retroviruses. (MEDLINEplus)
Human Stem Cell Breakthrough: No Embryos Required Nov 21, 2007
One such group, led by biologist Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University in Japan, reported last year that four genes, delivered to mouse cells by a retrovirus, were sufficient to induce pluripotency (the ability to differentiate into a multitude of cell types). The genes Oct 3/4, Sox2, c-Myc and Klf4 are molecular switches called transcription factors, which activate other genes in series like a power strip. (Scientific American)
Stem cells created without embryos Nov 21, 2007
The technique involves using a retrovirus to deliver the genes into the skin cells, which in turn disrupts the DNA of the skin cells. That creates the potential for developing cancer. (CTV.ca)
A stem cell breakthrough, without embryos Nov 21, 2007
Another caveat is that, so far, scientists use a type of virus, a retrovirus, to insert the genes into the cells' chromosomes. Retroviruses slip genes into chromosomes at random, sometimes causing mutations that can make normal cells turn into cancers. (International Herald Tribune)
Stem cell breakthrough nails dilemma Nov 21, 2007
They also carry the risk of cellular mutation because the genes used to stimulate the transformation are delivered with a retrovirus. "This new research is just the beginning we hardly understand how these cells work," said James Thomson of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, who led one of the two teams which made the simultaneous discoveries. (iAfrica.com)
Stem Cell Breakthrough Nov 21, 2007
" Two teams of researchers were simultaneously able to transform the skin cells by using a retrovirus to insert four different genes into the cells. The Japanese team, led by Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University, managed to produce one stem cell line out of every 5,000 cells. "This efficiency may sound very low, but it means that from one experiment, with a single 10-centimetre dish, you can get multiple iPS (induced pluripotent stem) cell lines," he said, referring to a stem cell type capable of... (Channelnewsasia.com)
New Genetic Lineage Of Ebola Virus Discovered In Great Apes Nov 20, 2007
9, 2005) The ancestors of chimpanzees and gorillas were infected with a deadly retrovirus about three to four million years ago, but there is no evidence it infected ancestors of modern-day humans, according. (Sep. (Science Daily)
Ancient Retroviruses Spurred Evolution Of Gene Regulatory Networks In Humans And Other Primates Nov 16, 2007
15, 2007) When ancient retroviruses slipped bits of their DNA into the primate genome millions of years ago, they successfully preserved their own genetic legacy. Today an estimated 8 percent of the human genetic code consists of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) -- the DNA remnants from these so-called "selfish parasites." ... The ancient retroviruses -- distant relatives of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)--helped a gene called p53 become an important "master gene regulator" in primates,... (Science Daily)
Cellular warriors Nov 7, 2007
The Weiss-Pernick team's project proposed using a lentivirus a retrovirus that can integrate with the DNA of both dividing and non-dividing cells to compute various levels of markers in cells in order to determine their healthy states. A normal breast cell, for example, contains one GATA3 gene, but in cancerous breast cells, the gene is expressed 32 times. (The Daily Princetonian, NJ)
Suven Life Sciences to develop therapy for HIV Oct 27, 2007
"HIV is a retrovirus that can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It is estimated that 0.6 per cent of global population is infected with HIV, mainly in Africa and Indian sub-continent and the current antiretroviral therapy is not only costly, but also not accessible to many parts of the world," Suven Life Sciences CEO Venkat Jasti said. He said there is a desperate need worldwide for additional therapies to treat HIV-1 cost efficiently. (Economic Times)
Suven to partner US varsity in HIV cure R&D Oct 26, 2007
HIV is a retrovirus that can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It is estimated that 0. (Business Standard)
Humans And Monkeys Share Machiavellian Intelligence Oct 26, 2007
14, 2005) Scientists have identified the first reported case in Asia of primate-to-human transmission of simian foamy virus (SFV), a retrovirus found in macaques and other primates ... 9, 2005) Some urban performing monkeys in Indonesia are carrying several retroviruses that are capable of infecting people, according to a new study led by University of Washington researchers. (Science Daily)
Feline Leukemia Virus, FeLV Oct 20, 2007
Feline Leukemia Virus is a retrovirus that lowers a cat s immune system and leaves her prey to a multitude of secondary illnesses. A cat with weakened immunity is prone to infection, blood disorders, and even cancer (it is the most common cause of cancer in cats). (Suite101.com)
Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus Can Replicate In Human Cells Oct 14, 2007
MMTV is a retrovirus, the same kind of virus as HIV. If MMTV is eventually found to play a role in human breast cancer, current treatments for HIV may also be effective against MMTV.. Article: Rapid spread of mouse mammary tumor virus in cultured human breast cells. (Science Daily)
Re-engineered Human T Cells Effectively Target And Kill Cancerous B Cells Sep 21, 2007
Dr. Brentjens and his colleagues used an engineered retrovirus to insert the chimeric antigen receptor gene into T cell DNA. Retroviruses insert DNA derived from their RNA into that of a host cell, which then uses viral vector-encoded genes to make specific proteins. In this case, the researchers infected healthy T cells with modified retroviruses containing the gene that codes for 19-28z. (Science Daily)
West Africa: Rural Areas Said to Be in the Shadow of Aids Efforts Sep 17, 2007
In addition, the number of voluntary testing centres should be increased, even if this necessitates putting mobile clinics into operation, something international organisations like Retrovirus C te d'Ivoire, an American NGO, are already doing. UNAIDS puts adult HIV prevalence in Burkina Faso at two percent. (allAfrica.com)
Payment for ancient debts Aug 28, 2007
Some of them, called retroviruses, replicate in our DNA. This type of retrovirus infection sometimes leaves a characteristic remnant of the virus, called an endogenous retrovirus, in the chromosome of the cell it infected ... It is littered with viral relics, as are the chromosomes of our close relatives, the apes and monkeys, which carry an endogenous retrovirus called PtERV. Analysis of the virus indicates that it swept through both chimp and gorilla ancestral populations about 3-4m years ago... (Guardian Unlimited)
Gene Therapy: Identifying Where Genes Can Successfully Integrate Aug 7, 2007
Gene therapy -- whereby a retrovirus that integrates into the genome of a treated patient is used to deliver the gene of interest -- has been used to treat some individuals with inherited diseases such as X-linked SCID, a disease that causes widespread immunosuppression and therefore susceptibility to infection. However, a small number of the treated individuals developed leukemia-like diseases because the retrovirus integrated into the genome at a site(s) that caused the cells to divide... (Science Daily)
Discovery In Plant Virus May Help Prevent HIV And Similar Viruses Aug 3, 2007
The retrovirus HIV and the pararetrovirus CaMV both use reverse transcription to recruit the host's proteins in order to reproduce and spread infection ... "P-TEFb appears to be an evolutionarily conserved target of complex retro- and pararetroviruses for activating transcription," he said ... Humans and organisms used for research, such as fruit flies and the tiny wormlike organism Caenorhabditis elegans, have only one gene in the protein complex that retroviruses use to activate transcription.... (Science Daily)
Scientists Find 3 Genes that Control HIV Levels Jul 24, 2007
This gene, Goldstein said, is the remnants of a retrovirus -- HIV also is a retrovirus -- that entered the genome of human ancestors millions of years ago and became decommissioned. It has some genetic similarity to HIV. "And because of that, it actually could be interfering with the functioning of those HIV genes. So that is an exciting possibility," he said. (ChristianToday)
Genes that help curb HIV identified Jul 20, 2007
This gene, Dr. Goldstein said, is the remnants of a retrovirus -- HIV also is a retrovirus -- that entered the genome of human ancestors millions of years ago and became decommissioned. It has some genetic similarity to HIV. "And because of that, it actually could be interfering with the functioning of those HIV genes. So that is an exciting possibility," he said. (Globe and Mail)
Designer Enzyme Cuts HIV Out of Infected Cells Jul 3, 2007
CURRENT ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS. Image: JOACHIM HAUBER. (Scientific American)
Enzyme is like a molecular scissor: Indrani Jul 3, 2007
With a deft sketch, she starts at the beginning, demonstrating how the retrovirus HIV integrates itself into the human genome. The biggest challenge with treating HIV is that the virus goes into a dormant, asymptomatic phase. (Hindu)
Fat kills cancer Jul 3, 2007
They expanded the number of mesenchymal stem cells in the laboratory and then used a retrovirus vector to insert the gene cytosine deaminase into the cell. This gene can convert a less toxic drug, 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), to 5-FU inside the stem cells, and the chemotherapy can then seep out into the tumor, producing a lethal by-stander effect. (EurekAlert!)
