Protein critical in Aids fight

Researchers have identified a specific protein which may be key to fighting HIV/Aids.

The ITK protein, which is involved in activating an immune T cell in the presence of infection, has been targeted by the team at the US national institute of health.

During HIV infection, the disease infects the T cells, taking them over so they can replicate and create large quantities of the virus.

The researchers found that suppressing or deactivating the ITK protein, using a chemical and genetic inhibitor, showed the HIV virus had a reduced ability to enter the cell.

Dr Pamela Schwartzberg, of the national human genome research institute, said: "Suppression of the ITK protein caused many of the pathways that HIV uses to be less active, thereby inhibiting or slowing HIV replication."

Most current HIV\Aids treatments target the viral proteins responsible for the infection but due to the disease's multiple infections it can be difficult to treat due to its resistance to certain treatments.

A recent study, published in medical journal the Lancet, said that a lack of hi-tech laboratories in poor countries should not prevent antiretroviral treatment being given to people with Aids.