Researchers identify protein that may increase susceptibility to HIV infection

Many people never think about how the countless cells in their body function on a regular basis. However, serious health conditions and diseases can develop when these processes go awry.

For example, researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) recently found that a sugar-binding protein may trap a certain enzyme on the surface of cells, which increases an individual's susceptibility to HIV infection.

The scientists explained that the enzyme, called protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), is located inside cells that function normally within a person's immune system. It helps the cells change the shape of their proteins depending on what specific functions they need to perform.

Although previous research indicated that PDI on the surface of cells can facilitate HIV infection, the UCLA researchers found that it is a sugar-binding protein called galectin-9 that traps the enzyme on the outer cell.

They said that their findings may open the door for future HIV vaccines or medications that block PDI or galectin-9 in order to thwart the virus from spreading rapidly among immune cells.