Viral infections, including flu, could be inhibited by naturally occurring protein

Electron microscopy of influenza virus. Credit: CDC

By boosting a protein that naturally exists in our cells, an international team of researchers led by the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI), partner with UPMC CancerCenter, has found a potential way to enhance our ability to sense and inhibit viral infections.

The laboratory-based discovery, which could lead to more effective treatments for viruses ranging from hepatitis C to the flu, appears in the June 19 issue of the journalImmunity. The research is supported by the National Institutes of Health.

“Despite remarkable advances in vaccination and treatment, diseases caused by viral infections remain among the leading causes of death worldwide,” said senior author Saumendra N. Sarkar, Ph.D., assistant professor of microbiology and molecular genetics at UPCI. “We need new defenses against viral infections, and our discovery is proving to be a promising avenue for further exploration.”

Dr. Sarkar and his…