Hiv

A multi-pronged approach for HIV/AIDS

Several research projects aimed at preventing the spread of HIV

Nearly thirty years after a cluster of rare pneumonia cases in Los Angeles announced the arrival of new and deadly virus, the HIV/AIDS pandemic remains a leading global killer. In 2007, 2 million people died of AIDS-related causes. Today, 42 million people are currently living with HIV, which continues to infect the world population at a rate of 5 million cases per year. 800,000 of these new infections are in children.

The Biodesign Institute at ASU is pursuing several research projects devoted to preventing the spread of HIV, particularly in the developing world, where the cost of antiretroviral drugs is prohibitive and the toll from this catastrophe remains the most severe.  Each project is distinct in its focus, exploring a different mechanism for controlling the disease.  All are aimed at large-scale impact through preventive strategies targeting the virus.

HIV or human immunodeficiency virus,  is a retrovirus—one that infects immune system cells, primarily CD4 positive T cells and macrophages, which are components of the cellular immune system. HIV acts to impair or destroy the functioning of these cells, resulting in the progressive deterioration of the immune system.  Carriers of the virus develop an immune deficiency, weakening their resistance to opportunistic infections of many kinds.

Typically, those infected with HIV will show no immediate signs of illness, but once symptoms of the immune deficiency become sufficiently pronounced, the disease is said to have progressed to full-blown AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Although a carrier of the virus may be symptom-free in the early phases following infection, he or she is highly contagious and can transmit HIV to others through sexual contact.

One of the greatest obstacles to the development of successful treatments for HIV infection as well as the formulation of an effective vaccine is the extremely rapid and prolific mutation rate of the virus. For reasons that remain mysterious, a small subset of those who have been repeatedly exposed to HIV show innate protection from the virus and never develop AIDS. These HEPS individuals  (for Highly Exposed Persistently Seronegative) are a focus of active research at Biodesign. 

Additionally, Biodesign investigators are involved in efforts to gauge the effectiveness of existing therapies in the developing world, particularly, generic drug cocktails currently in widespread use in Sub-Saharan Africa. In some impoverished regions, conditions are ripe for an epidemic of drug-resistant HIV.  The Institute hopes to develop an effective assay, which could have a significant impact in slowing the spread of drug-resistant HIV and may also be used for mother-to-child testing in the US and Europe.

Current Projects