Scientists made a breakthrough by uncovering how the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) evades our immune system, leading to the identification of a promising new target for drug development.
Researchers, mainly from Trinity College Dublin, have revealed how the dangerous RSV disrupts our immune response. This discovery has revealed a new potential target for drug development.
RSV is responsible for a significant global disease burden, causing approximately 33.1 million cases each year. It is a major cause of infant bronchiolitis and viral pneumonia and poses challenges in treatment, especially for children and the elderly.
Through experiments with human airway epithelial cells, the research team found that RSV hinders a crucial biological pathway in our cells – the JAK/STAT pathway. This interference prevents important “immune system igniters” from entering cell nuclei. These igniters, which are typically activated by interferon-alpha, our natural antiviral defense, are essential for fighting viruses.
Nigel Stevenson, an Assistant Professor of Virology Immunology at Trinity’s School of Biochemistry and Immunology, served as the senior author of the research published in the esteemed journal Frontiers in Immunology. Explaining the significance of the findings, Nigel, based at the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI), stated:
“Interferon-alpha is pivotal in activating signals within our cells via the JAK/STAT pathway, triggering the activation of numerous antiviral genes that combat the virus through various mechanisms. By obstructing interferon’s communication with these genes, RSV effectively suppresses our immune response, allowing the virus to proliferate rapidly and cause severe health complications.”
“Our discovery is groundbreaking as it highlights the JAK/STAT pathway as a key target for restoring immune function therapeutically. This new insight is invaluable for drug developers, as a comprehensive understanding of how a virus circumvents our immune defenses is essential for devising effective treatments.”
“We anticipate that such a therapeutic approach could significantly improve RSV treatment outcomes, potentially eradicating RSV infections. This could present a vital solution for vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly, who are at high risk from this harmful virus.”
