Stem cell therapy a hope for HIV Treatment

HIV is still one of the most complex viruses to cure, and millions of people are infected all over the world. Although antiretroviral therapy has enhanced the lives of those infected with HIV, a cure for the disease has not been developed.

Recent developments in stem cell therapy offer new hope, with possible ways of eliminating the virus from the body. In this article, we will discuss in detail the potential of stem cell therapy for HIV treatment and understand the benefits of using this for treating HIV.

The Hope of Stem Cell Banking for HIV Treatment

Stem cell therapy for HIV treatment is one of the most promising directions in the fight against this virus. Stem cells are being used to try to develop methods for eradicating HIV from the body or achieving sustained remission. This is how stem cell banking could make a difference in treating HIV: 

• Replacing Infected Cells

One of the greatest benefits of stem cell therapy is the ability to restore infected cells to healthy ones. Through hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, stem cells can help the patient's immune system be reconstructed by cells that are resistant to HIV, thereby achieving a long-term state of remission or even a cure.

• Gene Editing for HIV Resistance

Stem cell therapy is also being used alongside gene editing technologies such as CRISPR to develop immune cells that are resistant to HIV. Scientists can alter the genes of stem cells before they are introduced into the body to prevent the virus from multiplying, a revolutionary way of managing the condition.

• Immune System Modulation

Stem cell therapy can also be used in regulating the immune system to have a better defense system against HIV. If stem cells with enhanced antiviral killing abilities could be introduced into the human body, patients would be able to manage the disease better and lower the viral load, thus slowing down the development of AIDS. Also, by targeting and deactivating the CCR5 gene in these cells, new immune cells can be created that HIV cannot infect.

Where are Stem Cells Located?

Stem cells are immature cells that can be matured into adult cells, which can replicate the same functions as other cells in the same location. However, these are cells are difficult to find, and even if they are available, it is essential that donors and receivers should be a perfect match to reduce the chances of rejection. Here are some sources from where these cells can be extracted: 

1. Adult stem cells can be extracted from tissues of the brain, bone marrow, blood and blood vessels, skeletal muscles, skin, and liver. 
2. Stem cells can be extracted from the umbilical cord as well, but they need to be extracted quickly after birth. 
3. There are embryonic stem cells, which are extracted in the earliest stages of pregnancy, where the embryo is just 4-5 days old. However, 

The safest way to collect the stem cells is from the umbilical cord as the process is safe for both baby and mother. 

Final Words

Stem cell therapy for HIV treatment presents a glimmer of hope in the never-ending fight against this difficult virus. With such strategies as cell replacement, genome engineering, and immunomodulation, stem cell treatment may be the key to better treatment or a cure. While further research is conducted, stem cell banking will be vital in availing these therapies.

If you are looking for stem cell banking to undergo stem cell therapy in the future, Cryoviva offers innovative services to help you store stem cells. To find out more about our solutions for stem cell banking, visit Cryoviva.