Researchers Uncover a Gene's Role in Blocking HIV

Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a gene by the name of TRIM22 may hold the key to blocking the spread of the HIV virus. Dr. Stephen Barr and his team at the U of A found when they prevented cultured cells from tuning on TRIM22, the normal interferon response was useless at blocking HIV infection, showing a direct relationship with TRIM22 and a cell in the spread of HIV. The research team's next task is to understand why this gene is not working in people infected with HIV, and if there is any way to effectively turn the gene on and stop the onset of AIDS.

"It’s not a cure", cautioned Barr. "It hasn’t been tried in live patients so it’s not known if TRIM22 could be turned on in a person or what would happen, but it could be a major step towards finding a cure."