HIV Vaccines May Cause More Harm Than Good

Researchers who have been trying to find the destination called HIV vaccine may have encountered a roadblock. The vaccines were being created by using certain substances in the HIV virus. According to a press release on Newswise.com, the Wistar Institute has discovered that one of these substances, called the adeno-associated virus, is harmful to the immune system. In fact, the adeno-associated virus impairs the immune system in such a way that it destroys what natural ability the immune system has to fight the disease. The adeno-associated virus was supposed to activate HIV-specific T cells. According to the Science Dictionary on Answers.com: "T-cells attack other body cells that are infected by some bacteria, virus or another pathogen. The HIV/AIDS virus destroys a type of T-cell, leading to the syndrome characterized by a defective immune system. T-cell counts are used as a diagnostic test to indicate the strength of the immune system in AIDS patients." The adeno-associated virus did activate the T-cells, but it also rendered them unable to perform their function. According to the press release, one of the largest studies that is now being conducted by researchers is using this same method for creating a vaccine, which makes this information of vital importance. It will be published in the November 15 Journal of Clinical Investigation.

The vaccines are called the AAV vaccine, which stands for Adeno-associated virus. Hildegund C.J. Ertl, M.D., the director of the Wistar Institute Vaccine Center and senior author of this study, states, ""Put simply, they (the results) mean that AAV vaccines against HIV may potentially cause harm and that, without additional pre-clinical studies, they should not be used in humans".

The Wistar Institute research was carried out by injecting mice with an AAV vaccine and then giving the mice a booster immunization of the same vaccine. After an immunoassay, the studies show that the T-cell response did not generate enough cytokines chemicals, which are chemicals that are required to regulate the immune system. As previously stated, the T-cells were also stripped of their ability to multiply when they came in contact with the substance that was supposed to stimulate the production of the anti-body. This is a common condition seen in many diseases besides HIV. They include hepatitis B & C and some cancers. The condition is called T-cell exhaustion.

Ertl was quoted in a reinforcement of her previous statement: "AAV vaccines against HIV may do more harm than good by robbing people of their natural immune response to HIV".

Shih-Wen Lin from The Wistar Institute was the lead author of this study. The National Institutes of Health and the Commonwealth Universal Research Enhancement Program of the Pennsylvania Department of Health supported this study with grants.

Sources Used:

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535318/

http://www.answers.com/what%20are%20T-cells