Another step closer to a solution in the battle against HIV

They're not related in the sense they cause the same disease or anything. Being heterozygous for the sickle cell trait does provide some innate immunity to malaria, but really that is just the explanation for why the SCA trait remains in the gene pool and hasn't been selected out by evolution.

 

I have said it before and will say it again...regardless how you feel about their (gays, drug users, people who sleep around)lifestyle, NOBODY deserves to go out like that.

 

I disagree. One of the worst things about HIV is the fact that it has such a high mutation rate. There's no reason it wouldn't get around the block of the protein, given enough selective pressure. The protein seems to block the removal of the viral capsule, which means that once the virus physically enters the cell, it can't get its genetic material out to complete the infection. If the virus changed the way it exposes its genetic material, the protein would likely be ineffective.

Something else to remember here is that, while this is potentially great news from a preventitive standpoint, this may not help people who are already infected.

 

There is no need for them to be related. All it takes is a similar mode of action. If a dog and person enter a house through the same door, and you block the door, aren't they both prevented from getting in or out? (provided there aren't any other doors, of course).

The immunity was related to the CCR5 gene, which is a chemokine receptor. HIV uses CCR5 and CD4 (a T cell coreceptor) to enter the cell. Without CCR5 (which is not necessary for survival), the virus can't enter cells.

The potential problem here (once again) is a high mutation rate. Since HIV has a high mutation rate, it basically "evolves" much more quickly, and may find other routes of infection. Using the house example, it would enter/exit through a window.

 

Holy Jebus, you're right