A study by the Mount Sinai School of Medicine showed that a Marijuana-like chemical trigger a cellular receptor to inhibit HIV in late stage AIDS. The receptor is called cannabinoid receptor CB1 an CB2. This is possibly the first study that shows the biological mechanism of how medical marijuana works. This discovery is very exciting because it proposes new targets for HIV drugs. CB1 is associated with the "high" of taking marijuana, so research focus should be on CB2. Study found that treating HIV-infected cells with CB2 agonists reduced infection.
I think this article is super cool because in addition to targeting different steps of the HIV life cycle, there is the possibility of new drug target. I'm excited to see how this turns out!
-Michelle
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120320195252.htm
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