Scientists are close to clinical trials of a vaccine against HIV

B lymphocyte

Genetics from the Scripps Research Institute announced the discovery of a common cell type in the human body that can help the immune system to withstand the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This discovery may lead to the creation of a vaccine against this disease.

The vaccine will consist of various proteins that train the immune system to produce broad-spectrum antibodies that can neutralize the virus. Success depends on the ability of proteins to activate the so-called. B-lymphocytes, which are precursors of broad-spectrum antibodies.
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“We found that almost all people have such progenitor cells, and a specially designed protein can bind to them, as a result of which they can turn into antibodies that can neutralize HIV - even in the presence of“ competition ”in the form of other immunity cells” , - explains William Chif [William Schief], a professor at the institute and director of the center for vaccines.

The human immune system contains a huge variety of different B-lymphocytes, which are precursors of antibodies that can respond to various diseases. At the same time, cells capable of recognizing specific properties of the virus surface are extremely rare.

The vaccine is coming clinical trials. When tested in mice, a vaccine created with the help of nanotechnology led to an immune system reaction that showed some of the properties needed to recognize and suppress HIV.

B-lymphocytes are a functional type of lymphocytes, which play an important role in providing immunity. In addition to the production of antibodies, B cells perform many other functions. In human and other mammalian embryos, B-lymphocytes are formed from stem cells in the liver and bone marrow, and in adult mammals only in the bone marrow. Abnormal activity of B-lymphocytes can be the cause of autoimmune and allergic diseases.