Chinese scientists have defined a subset of a type of virus-specific cells that could pave the way for new ways to treat chronic¹ diseases like HIV/AIDS and cancer, Xinhua News Agency reported last Saturday.

据新华社上周六报道，中国科学家揭示了一群新的CD8＋T细胞亚类，这一发现将有助于为艾滋病、癌症等慢性病毒感染的治疗提供新方法。

Nature magazine published online a research paper, claiming that virus-specific cells, CD8+T, are able to control viral replication in both animal models and HIV infections.

《自然》杂志发表的一篇研究成果中指出，CD8+T细胞亚类能抑制动物模型和艾滋病感染的病毒复制。

"CD8+T cells were found to deplete² during chronic viral infections in past research but could curtail³ acute viral infections by secreting⁴ antiviral cytokine that could eliminate the viruses," Ye Lilin, co-author of the paper and professor at the Third Military Medical University, told Xinhua.

该研究论著的合著者、第三军医大学的叶丽林教授在接受新华社采访时介绍称：“此前的研究发现，在慢性病毒感染过程中，CD8＋T细胞出现“功能耗竭”的现象；但是在急性病毒感染中，该细胞分泌抗病毒细胞因子从而有效清除病毒。”

However, research findings showed that a subset of CD8+T cells was largely able to curtail viral replication in animal models and HIV infections.

不过，研究结果发现，在动物模型以及艾滋病感染中，CD8+T细胞亚类仍然能在很大程度上抑制病毒的复制。

Researchers also found the subset that offers higher anti-viral potential than previously⁵ known, showing greater therapeutic⁶ potential, Xinhua reported.

据新华社报道，研究人员还发现，该类细胞群具备的抗病毒能力远远高出人们已知的水平，显示出更大的治疗潜力。

"Through certain means, to increase and stabilize⁷ the type of cells can strengthen their virus-purging ability, thus providing new possibilities for cures," Ye said.

叶教授表示：“通过一定的手段，增加和稳定这一类细胞，可以增强其清除病毒的功能，这就为治愈疾病提供了新的可能。”

Current therapies can only contain the viral replication, but can not purge⁸ them completely in chronic diseases like HIV/AIDS.

目前，治疗艾滋等慢性病毒感染导致的疾病，化学药物只能在一定程度上抑制病毒复制，尚不能彻底根除。

Chinese researchers will now use the findings to further conduct research into immunotherapy in cancer and HIV, Ye said.

叶教授透露，下一步，中国研究人员将把这一最新研究成果运用到癌症和艾滋的免疫治疗研究中。