As per a Study in the Science Journal “Nature”, UK and US Scientists have discovered for the first time a human gene “ITFITM3” that influences how people respond to flu infections, making some people more susceptible than others. The research assists in explaining why during the 2009-2010 pandemic of H1N1 (or swine flu), majority of people infected had only mild symptoms, whilst others healthy young adults - got seriously ill and died.
How will this genetic discovery help in Future?
In future, the genetic discovery could help doctors screen patients to identify those more likely to be brought down by flu, allowing them to be selected for priority vaccination or preventative treatment during outbreaks.
It could also help develop new vaccines or medicines against potentially more dangerous viruses such as bird flu.
The gene found by the Scientists: “ITFITM3” appears to be a "crucial first line of defense" against flu. When IFITM3 is present in large quantities, the spread of the virus in lungs is hindered but when IFITM3 levels are lower, the virus can replicate and spread more easily, causing more severe symptoms. People who carried a particular variant of IFTIM3 were far more likely to be taken into hospital when they got flu than people who carried other variants. The research suggest that individuals and populations with less IFITM3 activity may be at increased risk during a pandemic, and that IFITM3 could be vital for defending human populations against other viruses such as avian influenza.
IFITM3:
Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IFITM3 gene. It is reported to play a critical role in the immune system's defense against Swine Flu, where heightened levels of IFITM3 keep viral levels low, and the removal of IFITM3 allows the virus to multiply unchecked.
How will this genetic discovery help in Future?
In future, the genetic discovery could help doctors screen patients to identify those more likely to be brought down by flu, allowing them to be selected for priority vaccination or preventative treatment during outbreaks.
It could also help develop new vaccines or medicines against potentially more dangerous viruses such as bird flu.
The gene found by the Scientists: “ITFITM3” appears to be a "crucial first line of defense" against flu. When IFITM3 is present in large quantities, the spread of the virus in lungs is hindered but when IFITM3 levels are lower, the virus can replicate and spread more easily, causing more severe symptoms. People who carried a particular variant of IFTIM3 were far more likely to be taken into hospital when they got flu than people who carried other variants. The research suggest that individuals and populations with less IFITM3 activity may be at increased risk during a pandemic, and that IFITM3 could be vital for defending human populations against other viruses such as avian influenza.
IFITM3:
Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IFITM3 gene. It is reported to play a critical role in the immune system's defense against Swine Flu, where heightened levels of IFITM3 keep viral levels low, and the removal of IFITM3 allows the virus to multiply unchecked.
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