Results of a new study suggest that HIV controllers have unusually low levels of certain regulatory cells that normally suppress the immune system. This, in turn, may lead to a high level of general immune system activation, allowing them to control their HIV.

The researchers suggested that this high level of immune system activation may also be responsible for some of the inflammatory diseases that are more common in HIV controllers, such as thickening of the arteries and a depletion of CD4 (white blood) cells that can cause progression to…

Results of a new study indicate that small genetic changes in a single immune system protein, called HLA-B, are the reason some people are able to control HIV infections without the help of antiretrovirals.

“We were looking for genetic differences between [HIV-positive individuals] who only differed in their natural ability to limit the replication of the virus. That led us to the HLA-B gene; specifically, our work demonstrates that only a handful of amino acids may make a crucial difference in the individual’s ability to control HIV,” said Professor Paul…

A study published this month in the journal PLoS One shows that how quickly an HIV infection turns into AIDS is linked to a specific set of human genes as well as certain genes of the virus. The research confirms earlier studies that showed human genetics can be important for disease progression. The new research also shows more clearly how genes of the virus influence HIV infection.

HIV infections can vary widely in the amount of time they take to cause symptoms or turn into AIDS. For some people, called…

In a December 2009 study published in the Public Library of Science Genetics Journal, researchers identified several naturally occurring genetic abnormalities that can cause an HIV-positive individual to exhibit greater control over viral load and slower disease progression.

Researchers also found certain gene variants that had previously been reported to provide HIV resistance to be ineffective.

Individuals who are able to maintain the virus at undetectable levels without the use of treatment are known as HIV elite controllers. Though rare, elite controllers, also known as long term non-progressors, possess a…