Scientists Use Live Bacteria to Fight HIV

The scientists believe their approach could provide an affordable and durable method for reducing the continuing worldwide epidemic of HIV.

Scientists at Osel Inc. and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have developed a new way to prevent HIV infection by genetically enhancing the ability of naturally occurring vaginal bacteria to block viral transmission. Bioengineered bacteria introduced into the vaginal cavity of macaques—a commonly used experimental primate—reduced the transmission of simian HIV (SHIV) by nearly two thirds.

The novel approach takes advantage of lactobacilli, which are beneficial bacteria that play an important role in vaginal health and help protect women against a variety of sexually transmitted infections. The Osel team engineered the common strain Lactobacillus jensenii to pump out therapeutic quantities of the HIV inhibitor cyanovirin-N, which is a protein originally discovered by NCI scientists screening natural substances for antiviral activity.