Researchers Identify New Footholds for AIDS Infection, Journal Reports

Scientists have identified two more footholds the AIDS virus can use to infect cells, a finding that could mean it will be more difficult than once thought to block infection by covering up such entry points.

Researchers also found evidence that a cousin of HIV, called SIV, uses the footholds to infect monkeys. SIV is used in studies aimed at developing HIV vaccines and treatments, so the new work could help that effort.

The report in today’s issue of the journal Nature brings to six the reported total of HIV “co-receptors,” which HIV uses to infect cells in conjunction with its main docking point. The team from the New York University School of Medicine named the receptors Bonzo and BOB, for “Brother of Bonzo.”