AIDS Research at the NIH: A Critical Review

supplementary funding for intramural research is commendable. The success of the program in bringing
highly-talented NIH researchers into AIDS research for the first time is notable. This model should be
duplicated for other AIDS research areas, especially those which lack the already high level of support and
scientific interest that molecular and structural biology have, particularly, pathogenesis, wasting syndrome,
and neurology.
The Protein Expression Laboratory (PEL) was established under the aegis of the OD to provide IATAP
with highly purified HIV proteins, including RNase H, reverse transcriptase, r. e,, protease and integrase,
for structural, physiochemical and pharmocological studies.
Future Plans. The small increase in the OD's budget for FY 1993 will be used to maintain current
programs.
Recommendations. Aside from the comments above, recommendations for the OD will largely reflect the
recommendations made for the NIH as a whole.
11/9. National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR)
The Public Health Service created a Dental Hygiene Unit in 1931. The PHS DHU pioneered the study of
fluoride on tooth decay, leading to widespread and controversial fluoridation of drinking water in the US.
In 1948 the National Dental Research Act (P.L. 80-755) created the NIDR. The current NIDR Director is
Harald Loe, DDS, DO. NIDR researchers spent $2.6 million on intramural research and program support
in 1991. NIDR investigators are investigating parallels and differences between Sjogren's syndrome and
HIV-associated salivary gland disease. NIDR researchers are cloning HIV into transgenic mice to
determine the role of various viral proteins on murine cells and tissues; studying how TGF-beta induces
macrophage chemotaxis, possibly recruiting HIV-infected macrophages into the CNS; studying the role of
HIV in the oral cavity and how saliva protects against infection; examining the infection of monocytes by
HIV; developing diphtheria toxin conjugates fused to the binding domain of the interleukin-2 receptor which
kill HIV infected monocytes expressing high affinity IL-2 receptors; polymerizing HIV peptides as vaccine
candidates; trying to develop human monoclonal antibodies to HIV antigens, and trying to identify salivary
antifungal, antibacterial and possibly antiviral histidine-rich proteins. Five extramural grantees have found
that different fractions of saliva exhibit varying degrees of anti-HIV activity. Other bodily fluids are also
being examined:
Tears and saliva alike exhibited modest [HIV-] inhibitory effects, while breast milk exhibited a
monumental effect. Future studies will attempt to identify and characterize the inhibitory component
and determine mechanism(s) of action.
NIDR spent $3.7 million on 18 extramural awards in 1991. These included six epidemiological studies of
the oral manifestations of AIDS (totalling $1.7M: two in monkeys, one in the Army and one in hemophiliac
children), six studies of antiviral (anti-HIV, HSV, CMV, EBV) factors in human saliva ($1.2M), 4 thrush
studies ($506,008) of candidiasis, and one study monocytes ($183,955) and of oral drug delivery ($21,183).
Oral epidemiologists are finding treponemes, mycoplasmas, and previously unknown species of lactobacilli.
Funding + Future Plans. NIDR spent $6 million on AIDS in FY 1991 - 4.4% of its total budget (and 0.8%
of the NIH AIDS budget). NIDR requested an increase of $2.41M to $8.948M in FY 1993, and President
Bush granted it $473,000. NIDR now has 19 AIDS FTEs and wanted to add 9 for a total of 28. Included
in the NIDR Director's request for FY 1993 were the following new programs:

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