A Fatal Attraction HIV-1 and DC-Sign

Sara Latshaw

Date of Award

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Beulig, Alfred

Keywords

HIV-1, DC-Sign, Virology, AIDS

Area of Concentration

Natural Sciences

Abstract

In 2002, AIDS was estimated to have taken over 3 million lives with little hope for a cure in sight (UNAIDS, 2002). As the treatments available for HIV continue to advance, so does the understanding of the virus itself. Recently the discovery of dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3 (ICAM-3) grabbing nonintegrin (DC- SIGN) has provided a new target for HIV research. This dendritic cell surface receptor functions in the immune system as receptor for transendothelial migration and DC-T cell interaction. It has also been found to bind to the HIV receptor gp l2O with high affinity. This thesis outlines DC-SIGN's function in the body and how this relates to its interactions with HIV-1. The role of DC-SIGN mediated cis- and trans-infection of cells as well as its role in vertical and horizontal transmission of HIV- 1 is investigated. Additionally, the necessary future research on this topic is outlined.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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