Genetic Breakthrough Supercharges Immunity to Flu and Other Viruses

[phantom power]

Researchers at McGill University have discovered a way to boost an organism’s natural anti-virus defences, effectively making its cells immune to influenza and other viruses.

(...)

Their process – which could lead to the development of new anti-viral therapies in humans – involved knocking out two genes in mice that repress production of the protein interferon, the cell’s first line of defence against viruses. Without these repressor genes, the mouse cells produced much higher levels of interferon, which effectively blocked viruses from reproducing. The researchers tested the process on influenza virus, encephalomyocarditis virus, vesicular stomatitis virus and Sindbis virus.

“People have been worried for years about potential new viral pandemics, such as avian influenzas,” Dr. Sonenberg said. “If we might now have the means to develop a new therapy to fight flu, the potential is huge.”

(...)

“If we are able to target 4E-BP1 and 4E-BP2 with drugs, we will have a molecule that can protect you from viral infection. That’s a very exciting idea.” Dr. Costa-Mattiolo said. “We don't have that yet, but it’s the obvious next step.”

http://news.biocompare.com/newsstory.asp?id=215459

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. This is great but with every new step foward in medical therapies and drugs there

has always been some sort of fallout. I wonder what it will be with this one?

[MilesColtrane]

4. Stronger viruses. n/t

[Selatius]

2. Is there a good reason why those repressor genes are in place at all? Are there unseen...

consequences for overproduction of interferons that the body had to put those two genes in place to avoid?

[thereismore]

6. You bet. My guess is severe autoimmune disorders. nt

[phantom power]

7. answering that is certainly a gate on the way to a hypothetical drug

[phantom power]

9. actually, we may already have some data on this...

from interferon injections for HIV treatment.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. I wonder how badass the adaptive virus will be?

:scared:

[ixion]

5. which will undoubtedly lead to a super flu

IMO.

[sellitman]

8. Voted #1 for hope.

Come on peoples this is great news!