Some really interesting research has been recently published examining how the immune system can interact with host cells. It was previously thought that antibodies could not enter cells and attack intracellular parasites such as viruses, however research published today indicates the contrary! Fantastic! Work published by the MRC group in Cambridge shows that antibodies are indeed able to move into cells and ‘tackle’ viruses that have already infected the host. It is thought that the antibody is internalised with the virus and the presence of this antibody triggers a response. Whilst this process will not work on all viral infections it certainly changes and enhances our previous knowledge greatly. Whilst at a relatively early stage the work does offer some promise for treatment of some viral infections in the future.
The work centres around the TRIM21 protein, it appears that once the antibody has entered the cell a response is initiated mediated by TRIM21 which effectively routes the viral particle into a pathway designed to remove and destroy unwanted material. It is thought that this process happens fairly rapidly and may well have an effect before the viral agent has had an opportunity to have much of a pathogenic effect. Excitingly, it appears that increasing the concentration of TRIM21 increases the efficacy of the process, and this is what might have great potential in terms of treatment. We already have a number of antibacterial agents but surprisingly few anti-virals, an opinion also held by one of the researchers at the MRC in Cambridge, Dr Leo James.
It is worth remembering that there are a great number of people killed by viral infections every year, estimates suggest that there are almost twice as many deaths than those attributed to cancer. As if to affirm that fact they remain the most difficult of infections to treat.
A timely and promising story further affirming the chant that Science is vital! (http://scienceisvital.org.uk/)
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