The longstanding question of how Hepatitis C virus eludes the human immune system has been answered. Scientists discovered that the virus uses a molecule known as FAD to effectively disguise itself, a finding that could lead to new ways to treat viral infections and indicates that other viruses might employ the same method.
University of Copenhagen researchers have revealed an innovative technique to investigate virus samples, shedding new light on how the Hepatitis C virus manages to bypass the immune system. This could impact the future handling and treatment of viral diseases as a whole.
Around 50 million people worldwide suffer from chronic hepatitis C infection, which can lead to liver inflammation, scarring, and even liver cancer in severe instances. Though identified in 1989 and extensively studied, the mechanism through which the virus avoids the immune system had remained a complex riddle until now, when Danish researchers finally decoded it.
The answer to this puzzle was found by researchers at the University of Copenhagen and Hvidovre Hospital using a new technique to analyze virus samples. They learned that the virus conceals itself by wearing a ‘mask.’
This masking allows the virus to remain undetected while reproducing itself to infect new cells. The virus is camouflaged by a molecule already present in our cells, causing our immune systems to mistake it for something innocuous.
The research was led by Associate Professors Jeppe Vinther and Troels Scheel, and Professor Jens Bukh from the Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program, and the results were published in the journal Nature.
The virus’s mask is a molecule called FAD, composed of Vitamin B2 and ATP. Its essential role in energy conversion in our cells makes it an ideal disguise for a harmful virus.
The research team had suspected FAD’s role in hiding the virus but needed evidence. They eventually found it by utilizing an enzyme from the Arabidopsis plant to split the FAD molecule, confirming that Hepatitis C used it as a mask.
Just like Hepatitis C, other RNA viruses like the coronavirus and influenza could use similar masking methods to propagate without detection. This discovery opens up new opportunities for tracking and treating viral infections in the future.
The study, published on 5 July 2023 in Nature, has been funded by Independent Research Fund Denmark and other Danish and European foundations. The collaboration includes groups led by Jeppe Vinther at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, and Troels Scheel and Jens Bukh’s groups from the Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program, located at UCPH’s Department of Immunology and Microbiology and the Department of Infectious Diseases at Hvidovre Hospital.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword Hepatitis C
How does the Hepatitis C virus evade the human immune system?
The Hepatitis C virus evades the human immune system by using a molecule called FAD to effectively mask itself. This camouflage allows the virus to remain hidden and make copies of itself to infect new cells.
What is the significance of the researchers’ discovery regarding Hepatitis C?
The discovery could pave the way for new treatments for viral infections, including Hepatitis C. It also suggests that other viruses might use similar tactics to evade detection by the immune system.
Who conducted the research on Hepatitis C’s evasion mechanism?
The research was conducted by a collaboration between researchers at the University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre Hospital, and the Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program.
What molecule does the Hepatitis C virus use to mask itself?
The Hepatitis C virus uses a molecule called FAD, composed of Vitamin B2 and the energy-carrying molecule ATP, to mask itself and hide from the immune system.
Where was the study on Hepatitis C’s masking strategy published?
The study was published in the scientific journal Nature on 5 July 2023.
Could other viruses use the same masking technique as Hepatitis C?
Yes, it is considered very realistic that other RNA viruses, like the coronavirus and influenza, could use similar masking techniques to spread without being detected. This discovery opens new possibilities for tracking and treating viral infections in the future.
5 comments
Can’t believe Hepatitis C was doing this all along. finally someone figured it out. Maybe now we can treat it better? Just a thought.
The part about other viruses maybe using the same trick? That’s something to think about. If they can crack this one, who knows what else they’ll uncover. Exciting times for science.
My aunt had Hepatitis C, and it was terrible. i’m glad there’s hope for new treatments. If they can understand how it hides, surely they can figure out how to stop it, right??
Wow, this discovery is huge! could really change how we treat viruses in the future. I wish theres more info on how they found this out. Just incredible.
That’s scary stuff how a virus can just hide like that. Thank god for scientists who can figure these things out. Science always amazes me!