Biomedical Research
Combating HIV on Multiple Fronts
Dendritic
cells account for only approximately 1 percent of circulating immune
system cells but are among the first such cells that encounter HIV
following sexual or mother-to-child transmission of the virus and are
vital to both the initiation and control of immune responses.
Unfortunately, the encounter between dendritic cells and HIV does not end
as it should, with immunity to the virus. Instead, the meeting spurs an
increase in viral replication. Research conducted by Population Council
immunologist Melissa Pope may lead to identifying ways of preventing HIV
infection by targeting activated dendritic cells with a vaccine to launch
an attack against HIV or by using a microbicide to block the mucosal
transmission of HIV.
2002
Epidemiology
What Factors Affect the Prevalence of HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Population Council researchers
participated along with several other investigators in a recent study on
HIV. The findings of the investigation, known as the multicentre study of
factors determining the different prevalences of HIV in sub-Saharan
Africa, were presented in a special supplement to the journal AIDS. The
research findings indicate that changes in HIV-prevention policy are
urgently needed.
Epidémiologie
Quels facteurs affectent la prévalence du VIH en Afrique subsaharienne?
Plus de 3 des 5 millions de personnes
nouvellement infectées par le VIH en 2001 vivent en Afrique subsaharienne
selon l’ONUSIDA. La majorité des adultes infectés par le VIH en Afrique
ont acquis leur infection à travers des rapports hétérosexuels. Au cours
des décennies, depuis que l’épidémie du SIDA a été remarquée pour la
première fois, des chercheurs ont observé que la prévalence de l’infection
à l’intérieur de l’Afrique variait considérablement. Tandis que de
nombreux endroits en Afrique de l’Est et australe connaissent des taux
élevés d’infection, les régions d’Afrique de l’Ouest et du centre ont
généralement des taux d’infection plus faibles. Un certain nombre de
théories visant à expliquer ces disparités ont été avancées. Mais jusqu’à
présent, il n’y a pas eu d’étude systématique pour examiner directement la
question.
2001
Immunology
Role of Dendritic Cells in HIV Infection Clarified
Population Council immunologist Melissa Pope has studied the action of
dendritic cells during HIV infection for the past decade. In parallel with
human studies, Pope uses rhesus macaques and the simian immunodeficiency
virus (SIV) to model human HIV infection. Her findings have contributed to
one of the widely accepted theories for the mechanism of sexual
transmission of HIV. Positioned within the mucosa, dendritic cells are one
of the first white blood cells that meet HIV following sexual or perinatal
transmission and may be pivotal for the onset and spread of infection.
Ultimately, Pope's work may identify ways to block the mucosal
transmission of HIV with microbicidal formulations. This work may also
provide clues in the search for a vaccine.
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