Search

The use of gene-editing technology has the potential to excise the CCR5 gene from haematopoietic progenitor cells, rendering their differentiated CD4-positive (CD4+) T cell descendants HIV resistant. In this manuscript, we describe the development of a mathematical model to mimic the therapeutic potential of gene editing of haematopoietic progenitor cells to produce a class of HIV-resistant CD4+ T cells. We define the requirements for the permanent suppression of viral infection using gene editing as a novel therapeutic approach. We develop non-linear ordinary differential equation models to replicate HIV production in an infected host, incorporating the most appropriate aspects found in the many existing clinical models of HIV infection, and extend this model to include compartments representing HIV-resistant immune cells. Through an analysis of model equilibria and stability and computation of |$R_0$| for both treated and untreated infections, we show that the proposed therapy has the potential to suppress HIV infection indefinitely and return CD4+ T cell counts to normal levels. A computational study for this treatment shows the potential for a successful 'functional cure' of HIV. A sensitivity analysis illustrates the consistency of numerical results with theoretical results and highlights the parameters requiring better biological justification. Simulations of varying level production of HIV-resistant CD4+ T cells and varying immune enhancements as the result of these indicate a clear threshold response of the model and a range of treatment parameters resulting in a return to normal CD4+ T cell counts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite well-documented health risks, indoor tanning is a common, socially acceptable practice. In 2010, five adult Caucasian women were recruited from beauty salons to participate in this exploratory study. Each woman completed a qualitative in-depth interview; the collected data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using social comparison theory as a framework. Emergent themes were identified from the data: increased social confidence through appearance satisfaction, lifestyle, and occupation; desire to curb the aging process; and disregard for health risks. These themes foster opportunities for further investigation that may inform future research, education, and policy reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study which determines the impact of human breast milk on HIV infection and CD4+ cells replication. It also examines the ability of the breast milk to restrain HIV-1 transmission from infected CD4+ T lymphocytes. It reveals that breast milk has innate factors that protects against cell-free HIV-1. However, it has no capacity to block the transmission of cell-associated virus infection from HIV-infected CD4+ T lymphocytes to target cells.

Background: Transmission of HIV from mother to child through breast-feeding remains a global health challenge, particularly in developing countries. Breast milk from an HIV-infected women may contain both cell-free HIV-1 and cell-associated virus; however, the impact of human breast milk on HIV infection and replication in CD4 cells remain poorly understood., Objectives: In the present study, we evaluated the effects of breast milk in vitro on infection of CD4 cells with cell-free HIV-1, including effects on HIV-1 receptor expression, reverse transcription, integration, and viral transcription. Additionally, we evaluated the ability of breast milk to inhibit cell-associated transmission of HIV-1 from infected CD4 T lymphocytes., Results: Our results demonstrate that breast milk potently inhibits infection with cell-free HIV-1 in vitro independently of viral tropism and significantly decreases HIV-1 reverse transcription and integration in CD4 cells. However, the inhibitory effect of breast milk on HIV-1 infection of CD4 cells was lost during extended culture, and direct coculture of HIV-infected CD4 T lymphocytes with susceptible target cells revealed that breast milk was ineffective at blocking cell-associated HIV-1 infection., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that breast milk may provide a protective function against cell-free HIV-1 but may be less effective at blocking infection by cell-associated virus.