New findings: Cows are resistant to HIV virus

Scientists at the Scripps Research Institute in the United States found that cows are resistant to HIV because their immune systems can quickly produce antibodies that neutralize viruses. This important finding could help scientists develop successful HIV vaccines for humans in the near future.

1. Finding a way to kill the HIV virus
2. Finding a way to detect HIV-infected T cells is "hibernating", opening up hope for the root

New findings: Cows are resistant to HIV virus Picture 1
Cow's immune system is capable of producing anti-HIV antibodies.(Photo: Independent.)

Currently, about 10% to 20% of people infected with HIV create antibodies that neutralize broad-spectrum virus (bNAbs) after about 2 years of being infected. But then, the HIV virus was modified to counteract this protection system.

Dennis Burton, the lead author of the study and colleagues, found that the immune system of the cow developed antibodies against the virus after only a few weeks of injecting HIV protein. After 35 to 50 days, all four cows were quickly tested to produce bNAbs.

New findings: Cows are resistant to HIV virus Picture 2
Image of HIV particles attacking a human cell.(Photo: Internet.)

Anthony Fauc, director of the US National Institutes of Health, said: "Since we were first discovered, we have found that HIV is very good at avoiding the immune system. Therefore, we are very interested in systems. Special immunity produces antibodies that neutralize HIV viruses even if they are on humans or cattle ".

Fauc adds, the strong reactions in this study are remarkable because the cow's immune system produces bNAbs in a much shorter time than humans. It is likely that animal antibodies have unique, stronger characteristics than the complex antigen of HIV virus.

Researchers hope to mimic strong antibodies of cows or modify them to develop vaccines and treat HIV for humans in the near future.