Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have demonstrated that a toxin called melittin found in bee venom delivered by nanoparticles can destroy HIV by poking holes in the envelope surrounding the virus, according to a news release in U.S. News & World Report, sent out by Washington University.
Nanoparticles smaller than HIV were infused with the bee venom toxin. A “protective bumper” was added to the nanoparticle’s surface, allowing it to bounce off normal cells and leave them intact. Normal cells are larger than HIV, so the nanoparticles target HIV, which is so small it fits between the bumpers.
“Melittin on the nanoparticles fuses with the viral envelope,” said research instructor Joshua L. Hood, MD, PhD. “The melittin forms little pore-like attack complexes and ruptures the envelope, stripping it off the virus. We are attacking an inherent physical property of HIV. Theoretically, there isn’t any way for the virus to adapt to that. The virus has to have a protective coat, a double-layered membrane that covers the virus.”
This revelation can lead to the development of a vaginal gel to prevent the spread of HIV and, it seems, an intravenous treatment to help those already infected. “
Visit Washington University’s website to read more about the study.