Project Description Narrative:
AIDS is the leading killer worldwide among infectious diseases. HIV/AIDS has claimed the lives of more than 20 million people. The residents of Wisconsin are also facing a health challenge from HIV/AIDS, with increasing HIV infections and AIDs epidemics becoming a burden on public health in the state. As of December 2004, Wisconsin reported 4,217 cumulative AIDS cases to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of March 2007, the cumulative AIDS/HIV cases in Wisconsin rapidly increased to 9,616, according to the most recent Wisconsin Department of Health & Family Services update in Spring 2007. In 2005, the CDC funded $3,538,214 to the Wisconsin HIV/AIDS program. The programs and activities included surveillance and epidemiologic investigations; counseling, testing and referral; partner counseling and referral services; and prevention education and risk reduction. However, basic research of HIV and host cell interactions is urgently needed to improve future interventions of AIDS in the state.
Genetic variations have been found to play an important role in infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS. However, differences of genetic makeup associated with AIDS progression may not be directly used to facilitate interventions. Furthermore, current antiviral regimens cannot eradicate HIV from an infected individual, and no effective AIDS vaccine is currently available. The discovery of host factors that potentially block HIV replication may provide new avenues to combat HIV infection.
This project seeks to identify intrinsic anti-HIV genes in human immune cells and to understand their mechanisms. The proposed study has the potential to develop effective strategies to fight HIV/AIDs.