Previous studies have revealed that some influenza A viruses (IAV) have become resistant to existing drugs. Because of this, IAV patients fail to respond properly to medication.

Now, an international team of researchers identified new host molecules that contribute to the growth of IAV and may hold the key to more effective IAV treatments.

Researchers from Switzerland, the United States, India, and Germany conducted a meta-analysis of datasets involving IAV host molecules. The studies generated a wide expanse of data, and centered on the totality of proteins (ProteOMICS) and the genes (GenOMICS) required for the virus.

Thanks to these OMIC datasets, scientists found 20 previously unknown host molecules that contribute to the growth of IAV. Their new findings are featured in the journal Cell Host & Microbe.

The flu is triggered when the IAV multiply heavily on a person's respiratory tract. The viruses depend on host molecules to replicate themselves. Attempts to find and block these key molecules in order to stop the virus had been done in the past.

Professor Silke Stertz of the University of Zurich, one of the study's researchers, said they can use the 20 new host proteins to stop the virus from spreading further.

"These unchangeable host proteins are vital for the replication of the viruses," said Stertz.

One of the proteins they identified is UBR4. This protein is needed in order for the virus to transfer viral proteins to the cell membrane and create new particles.

The IAV invades the host cell. The viral proteins are transported to the cell surface to form new IAVs. As many as 20,000 new IAVS can develop from one single host cell, researchers said.

Hindering UBR4 can stop the production of new viral proteins in infected cells. Researchers found that in mice, the replication of the virus can be weakened and the disease's progression can be slowed.

The team concluded that blocking host molecules is indeed effective as a therapeutic strategy for influenza treatments. Their findings may contribute to the development of new influenza medication.

Sumit Chanda, the co-author of the study, said they expected the use of big data in the study to link together therapeutic development and biomedical research. He added that the study brings new insights into previously unanswered medical questions.

Photo : NIAID | Flickr