A team of researchers just discovered compounds that could lead to a new generation of antiviral drugs capable of fighting many viruses at once. Instead of targeting a specific virus, the new molecules work by activating a powerful defense pathway within the host’s own cells.
The technology focuses on a natural cellular defense system called the integrated stress response pathway. Cells normally trigger this pathway to shut down protein production when they detect a viral infection, which stops the virus from replicating. The newly identified compounds act as amplifiers for this response. “If the pathway were turned on in response to viral infection, what our compounds do is they turn it on full blast,” explains Felix Wong, the lead author.
To find these molecules, the team developed a novel screening technique to test nearly 400,000 different chemical compounds. This process yielded several promising candidates. In tests on human cells, these compounds successfully helped the cells fend off infections from RSV, herpes virus, and Zika virus. One of the compounds, IBX-200, also proved effective in mice, where it reduced the viral load and suppress symptoms of a herpes infection.
One interesting thing about this approach is that the compounds appear to have no effect on cells that are not already infected, only activating when a virus triggers the stress response.
We are very excited about this work, which allows us to harness the stress response of the host cells to arrive at a means to identify and develop broad-spectrum antivirals. — James Collins, one of the authors on the paper.
The team now plans to test the compounds against more viruses in hopes of eventually developing them for clinical trials.
I have always been fascinated by technology and digital devices my entire life and even got addicted to it. I have always marveled at the intricacy of even the simplest digital devices and systems around us. I have been writing and publishing articles online for about 6 years now, just about a year ago, I found myself lost in the marvel of smartphones and laptops we have in our hands every day. I developed a passion for learning about new devices and technologies that come with them and at some point, I asked myself, “Why not get into writing tech articles?” It is useless to say I followed up the idea — it is evident. I am an open-minded individual who derives an infinite amount of joy from researching and discovering new information, I believe there is so much to learn and such a short life to live, so I put my time to good use — learning new things. I am a ‘bookworm’ of the internet and digital devices. When I am not writing, you will find me on my devices still, I do explore and admire the beauty of nature and creatures. I am a fast learner and quickly adapt to changes, always looking forward to new adventures.
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