Gene that transforms mild influenza to life-threatening disease identified

[Tonka]

http://www.vasabladet.fi/Story/WireStory.aspx?storyID=52330

Swedish-English translation

Clear why influenza strikes people differently

Published March 26, 2012 at. 11:00 am.
Researchers have found why the flu strikes hard in some others only get mild symptoms. In mice and humans have discovered a gene alteration that affects the ability of the virus to reproduce, announced the University of Helsinki.
Those with a particular genotype at risk of falling ill with stronger symptoms than others. Researchers from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital and the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) have discovered that mice with a specific gene removed, fell ill with powerful than others.
Approximately seven percent of people carry the gene whose protein defects. About 0.3 percent of them have inherited the genotype of both mother and father. When the body produces not the protein that protects against influenza.
The research is published in the journal Nature's website. (FNB)

[Shannon Bennett]

Re: Clear why influenza strikes people differently

How interesting. I wonder if any people who live in an area where new flu viruses tend to originate are then less susceptable? As new variants mutate they would be at the forefront of viral infections. Since they are more likely to be infected, they would subsequently be more likely to die. Find the area where this gene is absent or in extremely low numbers and you would find a place where a large number of new flu varients are more likely to occur. Food for thought.

[mixin]

Re: Clear why influenza strikes people differently

Here is a link to the abstract; full version is pay to view.

IFITM3 restricts the morbidity and mortality associated with influenza

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature10921.html

Press article from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute

"Since IFITM3 appears to be a first line defender against infection, our efforts 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 virus and dengue virus" says Dr. Abraham Brass, co-senior author and Assistant Professor at the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard and the Gastrointestinal Unit of Massachusetts General Hospital.

http://www.sanger.ac.uk/about/press/2012/120325.html