Flu soon a disease of the past?
Every year, especially in winter, many people get sick with the Flu. A way has now been identified to transmit a strain of the flu virus to its prevent proliferation in cells. This finding could lead to highly effective treatments for the flu and other respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2.
In a new study involving experts from University of California at Riverside it was found that the so-called SUMOylation inhibitor STE025 is able to Completely block influenza B virus replication. This offers new options for the development of antiviral therapeutics.
The results were published in the English-language journal “Viruses” released.
Older people particularly at risk from influenza
Getting sick with the flu isn’t exactly pleasant, but it usually doesn’t have life-threatening effects. Despite it many people die every year to the consequences of the flu, with the highest risk of severe courses and deaths according to the experts of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is present in older people.
Deaths from flu in Germany
The number of deaths can vary with individual flu outbreaks vary greatly. In Germany, for example, there were sometimes only a few hundred deaths during the flu season, but also over 25,000 deaths in the 2017/18 season aloneadd the physicians of the RKI.
Effectiveness of influenza vaccines
Flu vaccines, in which the body’s immune system learns to recognize and fight the virus when it enters the body, are not always effective, the researchers involved in the new study report in a paper press release.
The reasons for this are not fully understood, but it is believed that this is probably related to the complexity of the immune system and viral mutations related.
How does influenza progress?
In order to cause an illness, the influenza virus must first infect cells in the bodywhere it is then multiplies and infects more cellsexplains the team.
It has been established in the past that the two most common types of influenza viruses (influenza A and influenza B) require a unique human protein to trigger the above process.
Blocked protein prevents influenza B virus from multiplying
In the new research work, the experts have now succeeded in increasing the Influenza-B-Virus by blocking this necessary protein. It turned out that without the protein the Virus multiplication in the cells is completely prevented becomes.
The influenza B virus uses a human cellular process called SUMOylation to Gen M1 to manipulate, which plays different roles in the life cycle of the influenza virus.
The researchers have now discovered that a SUMOylation inhibitor called STE025 is able to completely block the replication of the influenza B virus.
Treatment may also be possible for influenza A
The influenza B virus treated with the SUMOylation inhibitor showed a lack of SUMOylation on the M1 protein and was unable to transform into proliferate human cellsaccording to the team.
Influenza A also has SUMOylated proteins and could therefore also susceptible to the SUMOyaltion Inhibitor be, say the experts.
Eliminating influenza forever
Further research is needed to gain a better understanding of the Dependence of influenza B on SUMOylation to get. Nonetheless, the finding that STE025 inhibits SUMOylation and prevents influenza virus replication is a major step forward definitive elimination of the flu, according to the team. (as)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the specifications of medical specialist literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Sources:
- Victor GJ Rodgers, Adolph Garcia-Tailor, Jiayu Liao, Runrui Dang: Human SUMOylation Pathway Is Critical for Influenza B Virus; in: Viruses (published 03.02.2022), Viruses
- University of California – Riverside: No more flu for you? Discovery blocks influenza virus’ replication in cells (veröffentlicht 31.05.2022), University of California – Riverside
- Rober Koch Institute: Frequently asked questions and answers about the flu (04.10.21), RKI
Important NOTE:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.