Genetic Breakthrough Supercharges Immunity To Flu And Other Viruses

Scientists have found a way to boost an organism’s natural viral defence. They conducted tests on mice where they removed 2 genes that coded for repressor proteins which inhibit the production of the protein interferon. A repressor is a regulatory protein that is active when the product of the gene is not needed and it is made inactive when the product of the gene is needed. The protein interferon is a protein that is involved in the cell’s first line of defences against viruses. Due to no repressor proteins being present, the mouse produced larger amounts of the protein interferon. Due to this, the extra interferons allowed the mice to effectivelty block the ability of viruses to reproduce. The researchers tested the process on influenza virus, encephalomyocarditis virus, vesicular stomatitis virus and Sindbis virus. From the tests, there were no abnormalities or negative side effects resulting from enhanced interferon production in the mice. From this breakthrough researchers are hoping that they can apply this to humans in the future. It is not possible for the gene to be removed from humans but instead, researchers hope that new pharmaceutical therapies can evolve from the research.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080213133330.htm



By Pat Horgan (42055466)