HIV AIDS

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Stem Cell Therapy For HIV AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused by infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

 The Immune System

The T-Cells are a group of white cells, which play an important role in immune system.

The Helper  release T-Cell Cytokines to help other immune cells to fight against foreign bodies. They are called as CD 4 T cells as they Express  CD 4 protein on their surface.

The Cytotoxic(killer) T-Cells are mainly for destructing the intruded substance. These express CD 8 protein on their surface.

The CD 4 cells are the main cause for HIV replication. HIV attaches to the CD4 cells, allowing the virus to enter and infect the CD4 cells, damaging them in the process

A simple blood test called the CD4 count measures the number of functioning CD4 cells in the body and therefore measures the health of the immune system. The CD4 blood test results can vary a great deal.

Normal Values-600 to 1200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood- Healthy person

200 – 500-  Weak Immune person; Treatment is recommended

Less than 200 - The immune system is severely weakened and the HIV+ person is at a much greater risk of opportunistic infections.

 The Life Cycle of  HIV

-The HIV gets attached to CD 4 cells

-It releases Genetic code from the protein core into the cell

-The viral RNA is released and with reverse transcriptase a double-stranded DNA copy of the single-stranded viral RNA, is made,  generating a provirus.

-The viral RNA migrates to nucleus and integrates with Host DNA

-Then the viral RNA is released from the nucleus and continues reproduction with help of the polypeptide released.

- Then the virus migrate to cell surface and assembly there and leaves the cell after budding

-Soon after it  becomes mature and  begins again to form more HIV.

Transmission	Prevention	Not Transmitted Through
-Sexual Intercourse with infected partner-Body Fluid Transfer in Blood Transmission, Needle sharing, Tattoo and Piercing-Mother to Child	-Use Condoms in intercourse with persons other than the well known partner-Don’t share needles and rule out the total chance of HIV before Blood Transfusion	-Sharing Toilets -Sharing Utensils -Touching or Playing with the patient -Through Mosquitoes or Insects

Stem Cell Treatments

In the early 1980s, an AIDS diagnosis meant a death sentence. But with the advent of HIV medications, people stay healthy, live longer, and have hope after their HIV diagnosis.

Given the well-recognized limitations of current therapeutic approaches, the research is  going on to  develop potentially curative approaches .

To get a safe treatment which can offer a better cure and prevent the infection of the body , self-renewing, modified, Haemopoetic stem cells are used . Stem cells are highly resistant to HIV infection. Despite the presence of surface receptors for HIV, the hematopoietic stem cell is not infectible with HIV.

 

 If stem cells are genetically engineered with a triple combination of HIV-resistant genes, it is proved that they are capable of replicating a normally functioning human immune system by protecting and expanding HIV-resistant immune cells. The cells thrived and self-renewed even when challenged with an HIV viral load. The stem cells express HIV-resistant genes, which in turn generate an entire HIV-resistant immune system.

Along with this proper nutrition and life style are required  for the maintenance of the result.