A team of researchers from the University of Manitoba and Winnipeg's National Microbiology Laboratory appear to have discovered what they describe as "markers" for natural immunity to HIV - the virus that causes AIDS. The researchers identified more than 15 proteins in Kenyan sex-trade workers that appear to offer resistance to the deadly virus. The Winnipeg researchers, together with colleagues from Kenya's University of Nairobi, gathered and analyzed samples from women in the sex trade. Several of the women, even having been exposed to the virus, appeared resistant to infection and had not exhibited any symptoms. The study team discovered eight proteins in much higher abundance in the subjects who appeared HIV-resistant. The proteins have characteristics to help prevent HIV infection.

"These biomarkers may eventually lead researchers toward a vaccine or treatment against HIV infection," Blake Ball, of U of M's medical microbiology department, said. "We're excited by this result."

Their latest discoveries were published in the Journal of Proteome Research.

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