Canadian and American researchers have revealed that they have found "new ways", which may increase effectiveness of the current HIV drugs to fight against the incurable disease.

A statement by Montreal University said, "The joint study shows how the pivotal role of two molecules, PD-1 and IL-10, can influence the function of CD4/T-helper cells and alter their ability to fight HIV".

Lead author Rafick-Pierre Sekaly said, "Our findings show that the membrane protein PD-1 is up-regulated during HIV infection by the release of bacterial products from the gut and this subsequently increases the production of a cell derived factor, IL-10 that paralyses the immune system".

"We are the first to show that these two molecules work together to shut down the function of CD4 T-cells in HIV patients.

This in turn, may lead to paralysis of the immune system and an accelerated disease progression", he said.

He added, "Our results suggest that it is important to block both IL-10 and PD-1 interactions to restore the immune response during HIV infection".

"We believe that immunotherapy that targets PD-1 and IL-10 should be part of the arsenal used to restore immune function in HIV-infected subjects", Sekaly said.

The study has been published in the journal Nature Medicine.