17 March 2009

Genetic Breakthrough "Supercharges" Immunity

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A recent genetic breakthrough is believed to “supercharge” immunity to flu and other viruses. Researchers at McGill university have discovered a way to boost cells’ natural anti-virus defences. The discovery was made when researchers “knocked out” two genes in mice that repress production of the protein interferon. Interferon is the cell’s first line of defence against viruses.

Viruses are sub microscopic infectious agents that are unable to grow or reproduce without a host cell. A virus will take control of a cell’s reproductive machinery and use it to replicate, often causing disease and even the death of the host organism. Interferon are natural proteins produced by the cells of the immune system and assist in the immune response by inhibiting viral replication within host cells, inducing the resistance of host cells to viral infection, activating natural killer cells and macrophages and increasing antigen presentation to lymphocytes.

By systematically removing the repressor genes, the mouse cells produced much higher levels of interferon, which effectively blocked viruses from reproducing. The technique was tested on the influenza virus, encephalomyocarditis virus, vesicular stomatitis virus and sindbis virus. No abnormalities or negative side-effects resulted from the removal of the gene or from the increased interferon production in the mice.

Doctor Costa-Mattioli from McGill University stated that the therapy was simply like “removing the brakes. When you get rid of the repressors, you have more of the key protein which induces an anti-viral state in the cell.” With the constant worry of potential new viral pandemics, such as the avian influenzas, the potential of removing the repressor genes can have a great affect on the development of new therapies to fight flu. There is also the possibility of targeting the genes with drugs, which could potentially lead to a molecule that can protect a person from viral infection. “That’s a very exciting idea” remarked Doctor Costa. “We don’t have it yet, but it’s an obvious next step.

Avian Influenza (to the right) and other viruses have the potential to be cured much more efficiently and have the potential to be cured with drugs.
Main Article:
Costa, M. (2009) Genetic breakthrough supercharges immunity to flu and other viruses. (internet) Provided by Innovations Report. Available from:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080213133330.htm

Related Articles:
WebMD (2003) Interferon. (internet) Provided by Medicinenet.com Available from:
http://www.medicinenet.com/interferon/article.htm
Microbe world (2008) “Viruses — and Some Virus-like Agents”. (internet) provided by Microbe world available from:
http://www.microbeworld.org/microbes/virus/

picture from: http://www.patentlens.net