Latest news with #Bogunovic
Barnama
2 days ago
- Health
- Barnama
Rare Genetic Mutation Could Enable Near-Universal Virus Immunity, Study Finds
A polio virus vaccine vial placed on a table at Deir El Balah Health Centre on Sept 1, 2024. The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced late Tuesday that a new shipment of polio vaccines totaling 350,000 doses had arrived in Gaza. -- Photo by Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa ISTANBUL, Aug 20 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- A recent study published in the Science Translational Medicine journal revealed that the recreation of a rare genetic mutation could enable near-universal virus immunity, Science Alert reported Tuesday, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. A rare genetic mutation, a deficiency in interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) that appears to render people nearly invulnerable to viruses, has been recreated in laboratory animals, raising hopes that it could one day be harnessed as a therapeutic approach. People with ISG15 deficiency experience mild, ongoing inflammation, but their virus-fighting proteins remain constantly active. Despite exposure to common infections like the flu, measles and chickenpox, they report only minor symptoms. bootstrap slideshow "In the back of my mind, I kept thinking that if we could produce this type of light immune activation in other people, we could protect them from just about any virus," said Columbia University immunologist Dusan Bogunovic, who first discovered the phenomenon 13 years ago. Bogunovic and colleagues have used technology similar to mRNA vaccines to provide a temporary ISG15 deficiency in lab animals. Bodies of mice and hamsters given the treatment created 10 key proteins with antiviral effects that blocked infections at multiple stages. Further challenged with SARS-CoV-2, proteins of the vaccinated animals restricted the infection but did not interfere with the rest of the animals' immune systems. "We only generate a small amount of these 10 proteins, for a very short time, and that leads to much less inflammation than what we see in ISG15-deficient individuals," Bogunovic explained, underlining that the inflammation is "enough" to prevent viral diseases. Although the protective effect lasted up to four days, it can potentially provide short-term protection for health care workers before specific vaccines are available.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Columbia scientists develop world's first prototype ‘Universal Antiviral'
Scientists at Columbia University are developing a universal antiviral. This treatment aims to protect against many viruses, including influenza and COVID-19. The therapy is inspired by a rare genetic mutation. It uses mRNA technology to produce antiviral proteins. Tests on mice and hamsters show reduced viral replication. This offers short-term protection during outbreaks. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Rare disorder reveals hidden defense Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Turning biology into therapy A temporary but powerful shield Challenges ahead A team of Columbia University scientists says it may be closer than ever to creating a universal antiviral , a treatment designed to temporarily shield people against a wide range of viruses, from influenza to experimental therapy, detailed August 13 in Science Translational Medicine , is inspired by a rare genetic mutation that gives a small number of people an extraordinary ability: resistance to nearly all viral infections About 15 years ago, Columbia immunologist Dr. Dusan Bogunovic began studying patients with a rare immune condition known as ISG15 deficiency . Though these individuals were more prone to certain bacterial infections, they seemed to shrug off viral illnesses without ever developing study revealed that the mutation caused a constant, low-level state of immune activation, a kind of background inflammation that was highly effective at blocking viruses. 'The type of inflammation they had was antiviral,' Bogunovic recalled in a Columbia University of reproducing the harmful aspects of ISG15 deficiency, Bogunovic's team identified 10 specific proteins responsible for most of the antiviral protection. They then engineered an mRNA-based therapy, similar in design to COVID-19 vaccines, that prompts cells to briefly produce those through the nose into the lungs of mice and hamsters, the treatment significantly reduced replication of both influenza and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. In cell culture tests, the therapy appeared to resist a wide variety of a vaccine, which builds lasting immunity to a specific pathogen, this treatment provides only short-term protection, estimated at three to four days in animals. Researchers say that could make it particularly valuable at the beginning of outbreaks, giving first responders, health workers, and high-risk populations an immediate layer of defense while vaccines are still in therapy also does not interfere with long-term immunity, meaning patients could still develop protective memory after infection or concept remains in early stages. Researchers say improving the delivery system, ensuring enough of the proteins are produced in the right tissues, is the biggest hurdle before moving into human trials. More work is also needed to determine how long protection lasts and how safe repeated dosing might experts say the findings are promising. By activating the body's own antiviral machinery, the therapy could offer a virus-agnostic defense that works even when the identity of a new pathogen is unknown.
