How Enfuvirtide Affects Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Introduction:
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a subgroup of retrovirus, is known for causing
accelerating failure of the immune system. HIV is transferred by bodily fluids, including
but not restricted to, sexual interaction, transfer of blood, and breast milk. HIV affects the
CD4 T helper cells in the plasma membrane and lead the cell to apoptosis, and once the T
helper cell succumbs to failure, then it is more prone to be inflicted by environmental
harm.
HIV was first developed from SIV (simian immunodeficiency virus) and its first
interaction was identified in the 1920s in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo and
research cannot prove how exactly that individual was infected, nor did the individual
know. By 1937, it is estimated the disease spread by an increase in migration and sex trade.
In 1981, the first cases of the unknown disease were reported in the US. They began
relating it to homosexuality when homosexual men started passing away from what they
called “mysterious, pneumonia-like infections”.
In the year 1995, the first protease inhibitor was approved by the FDA. This treatment
demanded for highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), however, it was feared to be
too aggressive of a treatment that might produce resistant HIV strains.
Purpose:
The purpose of this experiment is to verify the proficiency of the approved HIV treatment
agents, Enfuvirtide. The treatment falls under the antiretroviral HIV drug class Fusion
Inhibitor; they work by blocking the HIV envelope from being attached to the host CD4
cell membrane. Once the merging of HIV is blocked, it will seize the potential apoptosis
done by the virus. At the moment, there are only three different approved dosages
available for treatment, however, since the level of severity differs between each
individual, it is not always effective. We will utilize cell culturing, dilution techniques and
indirect immunofluorescent to seek a perfect dosage that can potentially yield the most
effective results for different level of virus concentrations. Our team’s efforts will be
provided on a volunteer basis.
Hypothesis: It is expected that a very strong positive correlation will be found between the
concentration of Enfuvirtide and area of virus fusion inhibition. An increase in drug use
will minimize the binding of HIV to the CD4 membrane.
Methods and Design
Materials:
• Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) 2.5 x 107 cells/ml
• Water bath
• Liquid nitrogen
• Cryovials container
• Cryoprotectant DMSO
• T-25 or T-75 culture flask
• IL-2-GM with PHA-P at 5mg/ml (Phytohemagglutinin P (PHA-P), 2 mg)
