Scientists have discovered that the peptide dermicidin, present in the human body, provides effective protection against the influenza virus, reports News Medical. Dermicidin acts by binding to the hemagglutinin protein, which is essential for the virus to enter cells. Experiments have shown that the peptide's interaction with the protein prevents cell infection.
In other words, dermicidin inactivates the virus before it can infect the cell. Notably, the peptide's mechanism differs from other antiviral agents, which target the neuraminidase protein. Targeting this protein often leads to the development of resistance, but interacting with conserved regions of the virus, as dermicidin does, can achieve better results.
Remarkably, baseline levels of dermicidin were six times higher in asymptomatic individuals compared to susceptible individuals. Furthermore, the scientists also found that its concentration significantly increases during a respiratory infection.
"These results support the hypothesis that dermicidin is part of the innate immune system's first line of defense against influenza," the authors commented. They now plan to use the peptide for direct antiviral action and also explore its potential for the treatment and prevention of other viruses.
Previously, other scientists discovered how influenza viruses damage the heart and also presented an experimental therapy to prevent complications.
