title: Potential utility of GB virus type C as a preventive vaccine for HIV-1.
abstract: Recent flurries of literature on the beneficial effects of GB virus type C (GBV-C), a hepatitis C-related virus, in HIV-1 coinfected individuals have raised the possibility of its potential use as a preventive vaccine in people with a high risk for HIV-1. However, these findings are still controversial, and the mechanisms contributing to the apparent beneficial effects of GBV-C are still unresolved. Researchers debate whether the beneficial effects of coinfection of GBV-C in HIV-1-infected individuals are due to GBV-C viremia or rather the presence of GBV-C anti-E2 antibodies. We review the strengths and weaknesses of various aspects of the GBV-C debate and propose a new perspective involving intracellular molecular events that attempts to synthesize numerous contrasting perspectives and ideas, while suggesting new directions for future research in this area.
authors.affiliation: South Carolina Center for Biotechnology, Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC, USA. obagasra@claflin.edu
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bagasra
authors.forename: Alexander U
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Bagasra
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sheraz
authors.forename: Donald Gene
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Pace
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D060085:Coinfection / Q000517:prevention & control; D029407:GB virus C / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications*; D006518:Hepatitis Viruses; D006801:Humans; D014612:Vaccines; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines; D014765:Viral Vaccines