One Universal Antiviral to Rule Them All?
15 days ago
- #immunology
- #antiviral
- #pandemic
- A rare genetic mutation makes some individuals impervious to viral diseases by causing a deficiency in the immune regulator ISG15.
- Columbia immunologist Dusan Bogunovic discovered that people with this mutation have mild, persistent systemic inflammation that provides broad antiviral protection.
- Bogunovic is developing a therapy that mimics this condition temporarily, activating 10 key proteins for antiviral defense without causing significant inflammation.
- The experimental therapy, delivered via nasal drip in animals, has shown effectiveness against influenza and SARS-CoV-2, preventing viral replication and reducing disease severity.
- The technology, inspired by ISG15 deficiency, could serve as a broad-spectrum antiviral for future pandemics, offering protection regardless of the virus identity.
- Current challenges include optimizing drug delivery and determining the duration of the therapy's antiviral protection, currently estimated at three to four days.
- The research underscores the value of curiosity-driven studies, as the initial focus on a rare immune condition led to potential universal antiviral development.