News Release

HIV virus can alter the way genes function within days of exposure

Peer-Reviewed Publication

University of Washington

According to a new study published in the January 2000 issue of Virology, genes involved in T-cell signaling, protein trafficking and transcriptional regulation were among the genes that displayed functional changes within three days of exposure to the HIV virus.

Conducted by researchers at the University of Washington, the study examined the level or "expression" of approximately 1,500 genes in cells that were deliberately infected with the HIV virus. The innovative study employed cDNA microarray technology from Amersham Pharmacia Biotech to examine how cells respond to infection by the HIV virus.

"By using gene expression microarrays, we discovered cellular changes in the expression levels of at least 20 different genes by day three of our study," said Gary K. Geiss, PhD, a senior fellow at the University of Washington's Department of Microbiology who directed the laboratory research.

According to Michael G. Katze, PhD, Professor of Microbiology at the University of Washington and the principal investigator for the study, detecting changes at the cellular level could have a substantial impact on future treatments for the disease. The results published in Virology were part of a preliminary study, and microbiologists at the University intend to conduct a larger study into the impact of HIV on cellular functions.

"When a virus like HIV infects a cell, it takes over and uses the machinery of that cell to help make proteins the virus needs to replicate and live. Genes make up part of that machinery," said Dr. Katze. "If we can learn which genes are used by the virus but not by the host cell, we may open up new ways for researchers to fight the disease."

In the study, gene expression profiles were closely observed using the Microarray System from Amersham Pharmacia Biotech. The genes were examined prior to and after HIV exposure to determine how quickly cellular genes would be significantly influenced by viral infection. The results of the study show that HIV infection alters the function of a broad array of cellular genes, including some genes associated with immune system functions.

The immense amount of quantitative data generated by microarray systems, such as the one from Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, is considered revolutionary by some genetic researchers. It is being used to uncover clues about the causes of medical problems, from HIV to cancer, with the goal of eventually improving outcomes for patients who suffer from or are at risk for disease. Microarray slides, also called "DNA chips," consist of spots of DNA, and each slide can contain hundreds or even thousands of genes. Researchers can measure and observe gene expression levels to determine when genetic changes occur and how these changes influence the progression of disease.

Amersham Pharmacia Biotech provides pharmaceutical and research customers with the complete suite of technology needed to carry out microarray research, from high-throughput array spotters that allow researchers to make their own slides to the confocal array scanners, chemistry and analysis software needed to view the genetic content of DNA chips. The company worked closely with researchers at the University of Washington to develop a state-of-the-art microarray facility for the University's Department of Microbiology and the Washington Regional Primate Research Center.

"We are committed to collaborating with genomics research institutes and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to accelerate the understanding of the human genome which ultimately will improve health care worldwide," said Mark Sutherland, Vice President of Genomics for Amersham Pharmacia Biotech.

The University of Washington is a leader in research making use of microarray technology, as well as in development of software for analysis of data produced by this technique. The UW School of Medicine is consistently among the top ten medical schools in receipt of federal research funding and is among the top ten institutions in the country in technology transfer.

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Amersham Pharmacia Biotech is at the frontier of new healthcare, providing the technologies to discover, develop and deliver therapies faster and more cost-effectively then ever before. Owned 55% by Nycomed Amersham plc (NYSE: NYE; LSE: NAM), and 45% by Pharmacia & Upjohn Inc, it is an international market leader in most of its markets. Its innovative systems are used to sequence genes, uncover the structure and function of genes and proteins, separate biomolecules, screen potential drugs and manufacture biopharmaceuticals.

Virology is published by Academic Press, a Harcourt Science and Technology Company.

The study published in Virology is supported in part by NIH training grant A107140 via the University of Washington Center for AIDS Research Program. Other support was provided by NIH research grants RR00166 and A141535.

For more information, contact Jeff Hoyak or Melina Fusco with MCS at 800-477-9626 or 908-273-9626. Outside of North America, please contact Emma Ongley with Grayling at 44-0171-255-1100. The media contact for the University of Washington is Laurie McHale at 206-685-4232.


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