Scientists have made a previously unproven discovery about HIV, the source of AIDS, which has killed millions of people. The article published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation revealed that the virus, which is known to normally hide in the blood, also hides in the brain.
The study broke new ground by proving this situation, which scientists have long suspected. It was seen that cells called microglia, which play a role in the formation of the brain’s own special immune system, act as a permanent hiding place for the virus.
Could lead to cure for hidden HIV
According to scientists, HIV can affect microglia cells and go into a dormant state. Even if current antiretroviral HIV treatments are discontinued, the virus may return from this hiding state, causing the infection to reactivate and even develop into AIDS.
The life cycle of HIV, a retrovirus, normally requires it to make a copy of its genetic material and insert it into human cells. It usually affects white blood cells, which are an important part of the immune system. The defeat of these cells by the virus can also cause damage to the immune system and eventually AIDS.
However, sometimes these do not occur in the HIV virus and they can become passive in the cell. This situation can last for years. While current treatments can control the infection, they are not effective against this dormant state. Therefore, the dormant virus carries the risk of causing disease. Here, new research reveals that HIV can hide in the brain in addition to blood cells.
Scientists say that with the new discovery, a way to eradicate latent HIV may be found, which could be a real cure for the infection. But they add that this is a very challenging task and that more research is needed.
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