Research links particular gene to natural HIV management

A new study released in the journal Science narrows the origin of the rare ability to naturally control an HIV infection to just five proteins in one particular amino acid.

Scientists associated with MIT, Harvard and the Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital sequenced the genes of over 3,000 individuals with the lifelong STD. A total of 1,000 were so-called “HIV controllers,” people whose immune system naturally keeps the majority of the virus at bay.

Researchers discovered that controllers displayed five protein variations in a particular amino acid, the HLA-B, that is associated with HIV control. The findings may open the door to more effective HIV vaccine research.

Exactly how HIV is sometimes naturally managed is unclear. Roughly 1 in 300 people with HIV is a controller, according to the study. Research into the specific action of the HLA-B protein is ongoing.

While they never become virus-free, controllers naturally maintain a low viral count and often do not progress to AIDS.

The researchers emphasize that 99.67 percent of those infected with HIV are not controllers. The CDC estimates that over 1 million Americans are HIV positive, many of whom are unaware of the infection. Those worried about their sexual health may benefit from online testing services.