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.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS