2023-08-07 07:38:15
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This discovery by a group of researchers from around the world is a source of hope for the treatment of AIDS but also for genetic research in Africa, which has long been neglected.
Published on 07/08/2023 09:38
Reading time: 2 min.
A blood test and medical equipment. (RICHARD VILLALON / MAXPPP) Until now, very few genetic studies had been carried out on African populations. Of the 40 million carriers of the AIDS virus in the world, more than half are nevertheless in Africa according to UNAIDS figures. In fact, the gene that has just been discovered in this vast study piloted from the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland is present only in certain populations. It can even repair DNA attacked by the virus.
The objective of this international research program, which began 10 years ago, was to observe whether certain populations defend themselves better once morest AIDS according to their genome. The scientists scrutinized the genetic data of Europeans before focusing on those of 4,000 Africans and their ancestors. For this, they collected data from 27 laboratories or institutions all over the world. Which explains the 60 co-authors of this publication in the journal Nature. And they realized that for 5% of the population of African origin, one of the genes of chromosome 1, with this pretty little name of “CHD1L” known to repair the DNA molecule following certain attacks, was particularly effective. in the case of AIDS. These patients are not less sick but they have less virus in the blood, therefore a slower evolution. The dream of researchers would be to be able to manipulate this repairing gene to slow down, or even cure, this disease – everyone’s holy grail! And not only in carriers of this genetic variant.
Some people will never get AIDS
This is not the first time that we have discovered a particular gene with respect to AIDS. You may be familiar with CCR5 which is another ‘anomaly’ which completely protects 1% of Europeans from the virus – they will never be able to catch it. Pharmacy researchers now use it for treatment. The hope of Jacques Fellay, who coordinated this new study, is that it will be the same for CHD1L.
This vast genetic study is also important because it is one of the first large-scale studies on African populations. In general, searches usually focus on Europe, the United States, or even Asia because there is more data collected. As Jacques Fellay, doctor-researcher, reminds us, this would be to forget that since the human species first appeared in Africa, African populations have a history and genetic diversity that is invaluable for research. Since the start of this study 10 years ago, several competence centers have also been set up in South Africa, Uganda and more recently in Morocco and Tunisia.
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