2024-02-13 08:35:57
Antiviral mechanism by ‘sustained-release recombinant cytokine protein (rhIL-7-hyFc)’. / Pohang University of Science and Technology
[포쓰저널] For the first time, a domestic research team has discovered a new drug candidate that can respond to various respiratory viruses, including the flu and COVID-19.
According to Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) on the 13th, the research team of Professor Seung-Woo Lee of the University’s Department of Life Science and Convergence Graduate School, Park Soo-bin and Yu-jin Jeong of the Life Science Department, and Dr. Dong-Hoon Choi of NeoImmuneTech are developing a sustained-release recombinant cytokine protein that is being clinically developed as a new immunotherapy drug. We studied the possibility that ‘(rhIL-7-hyFc)’ could be used as a treatment for major respiratory viruses and announced the results.
Cytokines are protein immunomodulators secreted from immune cells, and the research team noted that these proteins can activate various immune cells.
As a result of the experiment, this protein induced the influx of acquired T cells and the proliferation of innate-like T cells in the lungs, and the innate-like T cells are capable of rapid and extensive defense against various pathogens, as if they were operating according to the mechanism they had from birth. I confirmed the point.
T cells are a type of cell responsible for immunity in our body.
This substance has shown therapeutic and preventive effects on the COVID-19 virus, influenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus.
The research team explained, “We discovered a new drug candidate that can be universally applied to major respiratory diseases, not a specific virus.”
Professor Seung-Woo Lee, who led the research, said, “Through collaborative research between industry, academia, and research, we have found clues to prepare for future respiratory virus pandemics.” He added, “It has the potential as a universal treatment to control simultaneous and chain infections of respiratory viruses and bacteria.” “We will continue research to make this a reality,” he said.
The Gyeongbuk Bioindustry Research Institute and the International Vaccine Research Institute also participated in this study. The research results were published in the international academic journal ‘Cell Reports Medicine’ last month.
/Photo = POSTECH
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