人體發現的蛋白質或能抑制艾滋病病毒
Chinese scientists have identified a new protein that restricts HIV infection, a discovery that could pave the way for the development of new drugs against the virus. The protein, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1), which exists in human cells, can inhibit the process by which HIV replicates, according to research published in the science journal Nature Microbiology this month.
中國科學家新發現了一種可以抑制艾滋病病毒感染的蛋白質，這一發現或爲研發抗艾滋病病毒的新藥品開闢路徑。本月於《自然·微生物學》科學雜誌上發表的研究表明，P-選擇素糖蛋白配體1（PSGL-1）蛋白質存在於人體細胞，可抑制艾滋病病毒的繁殖過程。
However, the study also showed that PSGL-1 can be negatively affected by Vpu－an accessory protein of HIV－which can neutralize the ability of PSGL-1 to resist HIV. Further research is underway to develop a drug that can inhibit the HIV protein so that PSGL-1 can restrict HIV, according to Tan Xu, a researcher at Tsinghua University's School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, a leading author of the study.
但是，該研究也表明PSGL-1會受到Vpu蛋白（艾滋病病毒的附屬蛋白）的負面影響--Vpu會使PSGL-1無法抑制艾滋病病毒。清華大學藥學院的研究員、本研究的主要作者譚旭（Tan Xu）表示，目前正開展進一步的研究以期研發一種可以抑制艾滋病病毒蛋白的藥物，使PSGL-1抑制艾滋病病毒。
Several other proteins in human cells that could resist HIV have been discovered over the past 10 years, though the virus can also evade them. PSGL-1 shows particular promise in that it can inhibit the HIV in multiple ways－especially by blocking the infectiousness of virus offspring, Tan said.
過去十年來，研究員在人體細胞中發現了其它幾種可抑制艾滋病病毒的蛋白質，但艾滋病病毒總能避開這些蛋白質。PSGL-1具有多重抗病毒功能，展現良好的前景--尤其能抑制新生病毒的感染，譚旭說道。
"We are starting to screen for small molecule compounds in the hope of finding one that can restore PSGL-1's anti-HIV function. In this way we can develop a very effective antiviral drug for people with HIV/AIDS," he said.
"我們正在篩選小分子化合物，以期找到能恢復PSGL-1抗艾滋病病毒功能的分子化合物。如此，我們可以開發一種非常有效的抗病毒藥物用於治療艾滋病病毒/艾滋病患者，"他說道。
Tan said it will require at least three to five years for the research to reach the preclinical stage, and more time after that before a clinical trial is possible. The research was conducted by researchers at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Fudan University in Shanghai and George Mason University in the United States.
譚旭表示，至少還需要再研究3-5年才能達到臨牀前階段，在臨牀試驗前，還需要更長時間。該研究由北京清華大學、上海復旦大學和美國喬治梅森大學的研究員合作展開。
Existing treatment methods for people with HIV/AIDS, which mostly rely on a combination of different drugs, can prevent the disease from progressing but cannot cure it, and long-term use of drugs can result in drug resistance.
現有的治療艾滋病病毒/艾滋病患者的方法主要依靠不同藥物的組合，可預防艾滋病惡化，但無法做到治癒。此外，長期使用藥物會產生耐藥性。
An estimated 37 million people in the world live with HIV, according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. The study provides new leads to developing antiviral drugs, Tsinghua University said in a statement.
據聯合國艾滋病規劃署表示，全世界大約有3700萬名艾滋病病毒患者。該研究爲開發抗病毒藥物提供新思路，清華大學在一項聲明中說道。
