A recent study done at the University of Maryland School of Medicine discovered the potential ability of a protein known as RC-101 to protect against influenza and other diseases. RC-101 has been previously identified as a protective agent against disease in the animals in which it is found, such as Orangutans. Although the protein was lost in recent primate evolution and is not found in humans, researchers found similar benefits of viral protection when they studied the protein in the context of human immune cells as well as in mice. In human immune cells, they discovered that the protein not only blocked the virus from entering the target cell, but also stopped the inflammation that is responsible for symptoms associated with the flu, such as fever, lethargy, and pain. In mice, they studied two different groups: both groups received a dose of lethal influenza, but only the first group received the RC-101 protein. As a result, only 20% of mice in the first group died, whereas 90% of mice in the control group died. Ultimately, the flu is an ongoing issue causing thousands of deaths annually, despite the existence of vaccines. Based on the findings of this study, researchers now hope to incorporate this unique double function of RC-101 in making medicine for protection not just from the flu, but also a multitude of viral infections that stem from inflammation.
-Julie Thomasian
Source: Eurkalert, Published 09/29/2017
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