Scientists Discover New Way to Fight Common Cold Virus

"Cambridge, United Kingdom (AHN) – A research team led by Dr. Leo James from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, have discovered that antibodies can battle viruses that cause the common cold, vomiting and gastroenteritis, by entering cells that house them.

Previously, it was believed that antibodies could only attack viruses outside cells or by blocking their entry into cells.

Once antibodies enter cells they quickly trigger a response, led by a protein called TRIM21 that pulls the virus into a disposal system used by the cell to get rid of unwanted material. Release of the TRIM21 protein is so quick that the virus is not given a chance to harm the cell.

It was also found that increasing the amount of TRIM21 protein in cells makes this process even more effective, suggesting new ways of making better antiviral drugs.

The research team however, stressed that it would take years of work and testing to find new therapies, and that their discovery would not work on all viruses."

Read more at Gantdaily (Thanks Johnny5)