Chinese scientists have identified a new proteinthat restricts HIV infection, a discovery that couldpave the way for the development of new drugsagainst the virus.

The protein, P-selectinglycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1), which exists inhuman cells, can inhibit the process by which HIVreplicates, according to research published in thescience journal Nature Microbiology this month.

中国科学家新发现了一种可以抑制艾滋病病毒感染的蛋白质，这一发现或为研发抗艾滋病病毒的新药品开辟路径。

本月于 自然·微生物学　科学杂志上发表的研究表明，P-选择素糖蛋白配体1(PSGL-1)蛋白质存在于人体细胞，可抑制艾滋病病毒的繁殖过程。

However, the study also showed that PSGL-1 can be negatively affected by Vpu-anaccessory protein of HIV-which can neutralize the ability of PSGL-1 to resist HIV.

Furtherresearch is underway to develop a drug that can inhibit the HIV protein so that PSGL-1 canrestrict HIV, according to Tan Xu, a researcher at Tsinghua University's School ofPharmaceutical Sciences, a leading author of the study.

但是，该研究也表明PSGL-1会受到Vpu蛋白(艾滋病病毒的附属蛋白)的负面影响--Vpu会使PSGL-1无法抑制艾滋病病毒。

清华大学药学院的研究员、本研究的主要作者谭旭(Tan Xu)表示，目前正开展进一步的研究以期研发一种可以抑制艾滋病病毒蛋白的药物，使PSGL-1抑制艾滋病病毒。

Several other proteins in human cells that could resist HIV have been discovered over the past10 years, though the virus can also evade them.

PSGL-1 shows particular promise in that itcan inhibit the HIV in multiple ways-especially by blocking the infectiousness of virusoffspring, Tan said.

过去十年来，研究员在人体细胞中发现了其它几种可抑制艾滋病病毒的蛋白质，但艾滋病病毒总能避开这些蛋白质。

PSGL-1具有多重抗病毒功能，展现良好的前景--尤其能抑制新生病毒的感染，谭旭说道。

"We are starting to screen for small molecule compounds in the hope of finding one that canrestore PSGL-1's anti-HIV function.

In this way we can develop a very effective antiviraldrug for people with HIV/AIDS," he said.

"我们正在筛选小分子化合物，以期找到能恢复PSGL-1抗艾滋病病毒功能的分子化合物。

如此，我们可以开发一种非常有效的抗病毒药物用于治疗艾滋病病毒/艾滋病患者，"他说道。

Tan said it will require at least three to five years for the research to reach the preclinical stage, and more time after that before a clinical trial is possible.

The research was conducted byresearchers at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Fudan University in Shanghai and George MasonUniversity in the United States.

谭旭表示，至少还需要再研究3-5年才能达到临床前阶段，在临床试验前，还需要更长时间。

该研究由北京清华大学、上海复旦大学和美国乔治梅森大学的研究员合作展开。

Existing treatment methods for people with HIV/AIDS, which mostly rely on a combination ofdifferent drugs, can prevent the disease from progressing but cannot cure it, and long-termuse of drugs can result in drug resistance.

现有的治疗艾滋病病毒/艾滋病患者的方法主要依靠不同药物的组合，可预防艾滋病恶化，但无法做到治愈。

此外，长期使用药物会产生耐药性。

An estimated 37 million people in the world live with HIV, according to the Joint United NationsProgramme on HIV/AIDS.

The study provides new leads to developing antiviral drugs, TsinghuaUniversity said in a statement.

据联合国艾滋病规划署表示，全世界大约有3700万名艾滋病病毒患者。

该研究为开发抗病毒药物提供新思路，清华大学在一项声明中说道。

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