S. Korean scientists develop new gene-engineering method to combat AIDS

SEOUL, Jan. 4 (Yonhap) -- A group of scientists at Seoul National University has developed a new gene-engineering method that may help treat acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, the state-run university said Tuesday.

The team led by Kim Jin-soo, a chemistry professor at the school, has used a
"genetic scissor" called "zinc finger nucleases" to precisely remove human
chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) that acts as a conduit for the human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV).
CCR5 is found in the outer barrier of immune cells of most people, but it also
helps HIV to infect the body's natural defense system.
If the immune system is infected with the virus, it can lead to AIDS and death.
The number of AIDS patients worldwide is estimated at 30 million, with 2 million
people succumbing to the disease every year.
Kim claimed that removing CCR5 does not lead to any health complications since
there are people who naturally do not have this gene. Such people are effectively
immune to AIDS.
According to studies, one in every 100 white people do not have the receptor due
to genetic mutations, said a press release by Seoul National University.
"The treatment process requires the extraction of bone marrow from an AIDS
patient, and after genetically removing the CCR5, re-injecting the marrow back
into the patient that will bring about the healing process," he said.
He said that advances in the zinc finger nucleases process have made it possible
to remove genomic DNA segments with considerable precision.
"Such developments are expected to change gene treatment," the scientist said.
The discovery carried out in cooperation with ToolGen Inc., a local biotech
company, has been published in the latest Internet issue of the U.S.-based Genome
Research journal.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)