A way to save the immune system from getting damaged from HIV has been found out by scientists. They have stated that this approach will open new possibilities of developing a vaccine for AIDS.

The key is taking out cholesterol from the membrane of the virus. When researchers from the United States and Europe working in laboratories on the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, did this, they were able to save the damage that is suffered by the immune system from the virus.

Adriano Boasso of Imperial College London, who led the study, said, “It's like an army that has lost its weapons but still has flags, so another army can recognize it and attack it.”

Attempts are now on to develop a vaccine by making the virus inactive using this way.

An immediate defense is put up by the body's innate immune response usually when a person becomes infected with HIV. The immune system overreacts in HIV, according to some researchers. The body's innate immune response is weakened by this.

Cholesterol from virus’ membrane was taken out by Boasso's team and it was seen that HIV could not trigger the innate immune response.