A few dozen people in the world have a rare genetic mutation that gives them the ability to fight off all viruses. An mRNA-based antiviral inspired by this prevents viral replication in hamsters/ mice, and scientists have yet to find a virus that can break through its defenses in cell culture.
https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/one-universal-antiviral-rule-them-all
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Taking inspiration from a rare mutation that makes people impervious to viral diseases, a Columbia researcher is developing a therapy that could bestow this superpower on the rest of us
**For a few dozen people in the world, the downside of living with a rare immune condition comes with a surprising superpower—the ability to fight off all viruses**.
Columbia immunologist Dusan Bogunovic discovered the individuals’ antiviral powers about 15 years ago, soon after he identified the genetic mutation that causes the condition.
In his latest study, published Aug. 13 in Science Translational Medicine(link is external and opens in a new window), Bogunovic and his team report that an experimental therapy they’ve developed temporarily gives recipients (hamsters and mice, so far) the same antiviral superpower as people with ISG15 deficiency. When administered prophylactically into the animals’ lungs via a nasal drip, **the therapy prevented viral replication of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses and lessened disease severity.**
**In cell culture, “we have yet to find a virus that can break through the therapy’s defenses,” Bogunovic says**.
For those interested, here’s the link to the peer reviewed journal article:
**An mRNA-based broad-spectrum antiviral inspired by ISG15 deficiency protects against viral infections** in vitro and in vivo
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.adx5758
Totally makes sense for the USA to cancel 500m in mRNA research. Definitely no potential benefits and says to make money (the only thing they care about)
So they’re immune to rabies?
What’s the downside to this condition?
This is the type of science that should be exempt from laws restricting human trials.
Give prisoners the option to earn leniency and reduced sentences for testing.
Maybe even give death sentence people stay of execution in place of medical testing.
For the greater good.
This is fantastic! Previously, my hope had been (still is) that eventually through CRISPR, we’ll be able to tweak our immune systems to do exactly what you’re describing.
Even if this works, since the procedure has the word “mRNA” in it, there will definitely be people who completely disavow it.
“ok ok hear me out hear me out. If everyone is always sick, nobody can ever GET sick!” -that scientist guy