Fauci Lab Presents New Data on AIDS Pathogenesis, Treatment at Retroviruses Conference

NIH NEWS RELEASE
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases
FOR RELEASE Greg Folkers
Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1997 [phone]
[email protected]
Fauci Lab Presents New Data on AIDS Pathogenesis, Treatment
at Retroviruses Conference
During this week's Fourth Conference on Human Retroviruses and Related Infections in
Washington, D.C., scientists from the Laboratory of Immunoregulation (LIR) of the National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) will present important new findings that help
illuminate the HIV disease process and the complex interactions between the virus and the
human immune system.
LIR investigators will make 11 poster and slide presentations during the conference,
which runs from Wednesday, January 22 through Sunday, January 26.
LIR Chief and NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., comments, "At the Washington
meeting, our group will discuss new data from laboratory studies and clinical trials that
underscore the importance of host factors to the pathogenesis of HIV disease. Our studies of
the soluble molecules which regulate HIV replication, the co-receptors on immune system cells
used by the virus for fusion and entry, and other factors intrinsic to the HIV-infected individual 0
suggest potential strategies for the treatment and prevention of HIV infection." -
Below are brief summaries of the LIR presentations. Information for each is ___
EMBARGOED UNTIL THE TIME OF PRESENTATION.
1. Critical Elements of Fusin Gene Identified __
Among the most significant research findings in AIDS research to date is the discovery
of co-receptors on immune system cells used by HIV for entry. The first of these HIV coreceptors to be identified was "fusin", also known as CXCR4. T-tropic strains of HIV use fusin,
along with the CD4 molecule, for entry into cells.
In recent experiments, Masako Moriuchi, Ph.D., and her colleagues have cloned the

promoter region of the CXCR4 gene, and identified key elements of the promotor region which
begin the process in the cell of new fusin molecules being synthesized.

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