Scientists identify new drug target against RSV

Scientists have discovered how the dangerous respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) defuses our immune response and, in doing so, identified an exciting new target for drug developers.

RSV causes a significant disease burden in the global population, with approximately 33.1 million cases each year, and is the leading cause of childhood bronchiolitis and viral pneumonia.

The virus is also particularly problematic for children and the elderly, with treatment options limited and relatively ineffective. Some RSV vaccines have recently been approved in Europe, but are not currently available from the HSE in Ireland.

Working on human airway epithelial cells, the team of scientists discovered that RSV suppresses a key biological pathway in our cells (called the “JAK/STAT pathway”) and blocks “key immune system triggers” from entering the cell nuclei. These triggers are typically activated by interferon-alpha, our own natural antiviral.

Nigel Stevenson, assistant professor of virological immunology in Trinity’s School of Biochemistry and Immunology, is the lead author of the newly published research paper. published In Frontiers in immunology.

Stevenson, who works at the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI), said: “Interferon alpha, which activates signals in our cells via the JAK/STAT pathway, is responsible for triggering hundreds of antiviral genes, which then target the virus in different ways.

“So when RSV blocks interferon from communicating with these genes, the virus suppresses our immune response, which can cause the virus to take hold and cause very serious medical problems very quickly.

“Our discovery is an exciting revelation because it identifies the JAK/STAT pathway as a key target for therapeutic immune restoration. And this new knowledge is invaluable to drug developers, who need to fully understand how a virus evades our immune system before they can successfully create a treatment to reverse the tide.”

“We believe that such a treatment could have a significant impact in the treatment of RSV and even eliminate RSV infection, which would represent a much-needed solution for children and the elderly, who are very vulnerable to this dangerous virus.”