Conflict between Avian Pathogens and Medicine for Respiratory Systems: The Role of Primordial Proteins in Shaping Future Treatments
Uncovering the Secrets of Bird Immunity: A Revolutionary Approach to Combat Respiratory Diseases
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have unearthed two immune proteins, CL-10 and CL-11, in birds that could revolutionize our approach to combating deadly respiratory diseases. These proteins, found in the avian immune system, mimic some functions of SP-D and act as nature's workaround for a missing defense system in birds.
Current research suggests that these proteins could hold the key to developing novel antiviral therapies, enhanced vaccines, and treatments for tuberculosis (TB) and pneumonia. The potential applications are vast, with the possibility of boosting lung defenses and outsmarting respiratory viruses.
One area of interest is the influence of baseline immune-related gene and protein expressions on viral shedding outcomes. Proteins like IL-10 and TGF-β, involved in anti-inflammatory responses, and proinflammatory chemokines such as CX3CL1, are elevated in unvaccinated individuals compared to vaccinated ones. This insight highlights the potential to explore immune proteins for therapeutic applications.
Broad-spectrum antiviral compounds, like CD-SLNT/SO3−, exhibit antiviral activity against various respiratory viruses, including influenza. Although not specifically avian proteins, these compounds underscore the potential for exploring cross-species antiviral strategies.
Traditional Chinese medicines, such as Ma Xing Shi Gan, have shown efficacy in reducing viral loads in animal models, suggesting traditional approaches might be explored for modern antiviral therapies. Neuraminidase antibodies, which offer protection against various influenza viruses, further emphasize the value of targeting specific viral components for immunity.
However, the function of avian immune proteins CL-10 and CL-11 in combating respiratory diseases in humans remains unclear. Challenges in introducing these proteins into human airways, ensuring safety, and understanding evolutionary mismatches between human lungs and these molecules remain.
Despite these challenges, the discovery of CL-10 and CL-11 offers a blueprint for defeating respiratory diseases. Birds, both the problem and the solution, spread disease but their biology holds the keys to stopping it. The race against viruses may have already been won by birds, and the question is if we can catch up.
Professor Sandra Orgeig from the University of South Australia and Dr. Albert van Dijk from Utrecht University led the research that identifies these proteins as key components in birds' immune system. The study, published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, reveals that avian lungs harbor ancient immune proteins CL-10 and CL-11 that could revolutionize how we combat deadly respiratory diseases in humans.
As scientists continue to map CL-10/11 interactions with human pathogens, test synthetic collections in mammalian cell cultures, and explore gene therapy to express avian-like proteins in human lungs, the potential of CL-10 and CL-11 in next-generation antivirals is significant, transforming how we fight respiratory infections from the ICU to potential pandemics.
Jan Otte, an enthusiast of wildlife and animals, and a PADI Open Water Diver with a background in finance and economics, shares this excitement. The potential of CL-10 and CL-11 in next-generation antivirals is not just a scientific breakthrough, but a beacon of hope in our ongoing battle against deadly respiratory diseases.
- Scientists' research on the immune proteins CL-10 and CL-11, found in birds, could potentially lead to the development of novel antiviral therapies and treatments for diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia.
- The study of immune-related gene and protein expressions in relation to viral shedding outcomes could provide insights into exploring immune proteins for therapeutic applications.
- The discovery of broad-spectrum antiviral compounds, like CD-SLNT/SO3−, highlights the potential for exploring cross-species antiviral strategies against various respiratory viruses.
- Traditional Chinese medicines, such as Ma Xing Shi Gan, might be explored for modern antiviral therapies due to their efficacy in reducing viral loads in animal models.
- The potential of CL-10 and CL-11, key components in birds' immune system, in next-generation antivirals could transform how we fight respiratory infections, from the ICU to potential pandemics.
