Dr Prem Global Healthcare Logo

Repressor genes can be knocked down to boost immunity

body immunityViruses are responsible for a large number of diseases many of which are life threatening. In most cases, it is difficult to treat viral infections with common medicines. It is more than often left to the body’s immune system to develop antibodies capable of combating the deathly viruses. Often the repressor genes obstruct the proper functioning of the body’s immune system. Interferon is a protein that enhances the body’s immunity but often its functionality is suppressed by certain genes.

Researchers at I’Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal and the Ottawa Health Research Institute have been able to remove 4E-BP1 and 4E-BP2, the two repressor genes, in mice and enabling interferon to function smoothly creating an anti-viral state in the cell.

It is believed that the process will help the body to strengthen its own immune system to combat deadly diseases such as Hepatitis C, Ebola, Aids, influenza and cervical and liver cancers linked to viruses. However, the enhancement of the level of interferon in the body has its side effects in the form of flu-like conditions. Another drawback of the process is the probable difficulty of knocking down genes in human bodies. Given the drawbacks, a proper utilization of the process of removing repressor genes to boost the body’s immune system will take more time.

Image Credit: LifeExtension

Via: Telegraph

Recent Articles:

Scroll to Top