Research led by principal investigator Emily Bruce, Ph.D., assistant professor of microbiology and molecular genetics at the Larner College of Medicine, sheds light on how influenza viruses replicate within cells, providing “fundamental insights” into how seasonal influenza viruses infect people—and highlighting a path for developing better medications to prevent infections in the future—the (Harrisonburg, Va.) Breeze reports.
The team “accidentally” discovered that different viruses use distinct strategies to initially infiltrate cells, and also found that it is possible to target specific molecules to prevent the viruses from entering new cells, thereby stopping their replication.
“The hope is that fundamental, curiosity-based research like this helps to pave the way for novel strategies to treat and prevent influenza infections,” said Dr. Bruce.
While flu vaccines can help prevent infection, and antiviral drugs can shorten the illness and prevent complications in high-risk individuals, Bruce says there is a “dire” need for better medications to prevent flu viruses from replicating and infiltrating new cells in the human body.
“You don’t get sick when a virus is in one cell,” Bruce says. “You get sick because a virus replicates itself and goes into many more cells.”
Bruce says the discovery can help scientists think about new ways to prevent distinct flu viruses from entering cells.
This research was also covered in the (Brawley, Calif.) Desert Review, the (Indiana, Pa.) Indiana Gazette, KFNB (Casper, Wyo.), the (Manhattan, Kan.) Mercury, the (Virginia, Minn.) Mesabi Tribune, the (Sevierville, Tenn.) Mountain Press, NonStopLocal Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Wash.), the (Hagatna, Guam) Pacific Daily News, the (Walker, Minn.) Pilot-Independent, the (Vincennes, Ind.) Princeton Clarion, STAR Local Media (Plano, Texas), SWNS (Bristol, England), and the (Albia, Iowa) Times-Republican.