🚀 go-pugleaf

Could this be a possible treatment for HIV/AIDS:

Synthesize a peptide nucleic acid antisense oligonucleotide for HIV�s
gag gene�s mRNA. The reason for using PNA is that it is substantially
more resistant to enzyme degradation by nucleases and proteases. The
reason for choosing the gag gene is that it�s proteins, p24, p17, p7,
and p6, code for the basic physical infrastructure of HIV; w/o these
key proteins, there is no HIV. Then, encapsulate the oligonucleotides
in liposomes studded w/ anti-CD4 antibodies. This will ensure 1)
toxicity is limited�cf Ambisome, the liposomal preperation of
amphotericin B�2) the biologic goes only where it�s needed, which is
the cytoplasm of CD4+ T-cells. Decorating the liposome w/ anti-CD4
antibodies will trigger endocytosis, in my limited knowledge, at
least. I predict low toxicity and high efficacy in reducing the
patient�s viral load to hopefully 0 copies/ml.


Maybe, when I'm doing my PhD or MD dissertation --a long ways off,
see
below--, I could do it on this, patent the resulting product --ie the
PNA oligonucleotide itself--, and license it to Genentech or Hybridon
for further development into a marketable biologic.


What are your thoughts? Should LNA instead of PNA be used? Cell-
penetrating peptides vs. liposomes? Targeting the gag gene vs.
targeting the pol gene? Using anti-CD4 mAbs vs. anti-gp160 mTcRs as a
drug targeting device? Are there any publications about this subject?

Another drug could be a mTcR for gp160, linked to FasL...this should
cause formation of DISC, leading to the cell's eventual apoptosis. And
since it's linked to an mTcR that only recognizes gp160, only HIV-
infected cells will undergo apoptosis. And since apoptosis is an
organized "format c:" of the cell, the virons will also be
destroyed!!!

In your expert opinions, do you believe these will cause remission of
HIV/AIDS? Partial or complete?

And, just for fun, what do you think the generic names would be for
these biologics? Brand names?

BTW, if this helps you answer, I'm a 16.5 year old community college
freshman who hopes to have a career as a physician-scientist.


Thanks!!!!