We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




A Drug That Prevents Lung Damage Protects Mice with Influenza Infection

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 16 Jun 2015
Print article
A novel approach for treating infection by the influenza virus focuses on strengthening the small blood vessels in the lung of the victim so they do not leak fluids, which can lead to respiratory failure.

Seasonal influenza virus infections cause hundreds of thousands of deaths annually while viral mutation raises the threat of the emergence of a novel pandemic strain. Severe influenza virus infections are complicated by respiratory failure due to the development of microvascular leaks that lead to acute lung injury. Antiviral drugs exhibit limited efficacy unless administered early and may induce viral resistance. For these reasons targeting the host response directly has been proposed as a novel therapeutic strategy with the added potential benefit of not eliciting viral resistance.

To test the potential therapeutic benefits of enhancing lung endothelial barrier integrity, investigators at St. Michael's Hospital (Toronto, Canada) treated influenza infected mice with the drug Vasculotide. This drug is a synthetic peptide-based growth factor that targets Tie-2, a receptor on specialized cells of the hematopoietic and vascular systems. Tie-1 and Tie-2 comprise the cell-surface receptors that bind and are activated by the angiopoietins, (Ang1, Ang2, Ang3, and Ang4). The angiopoietins are protein growth factors required for the formation of blood vessels.

Results published in the June 5, 2015, online edition of the journal Scientific Reports, revealed that Vasculotide improved survival in mouse models of severe influenza, even if administered as late as 72 hours after infection. In one study 100% of infected mice died within one week, while more than 80% of a similar group treated with Vasculotide survived.

The benefits of the drug were observed using three strains of the virus and two strains of mice. The effect required Tie2, was independent of viral replication, and did not impair lung neutrophil recruitment.

Senior author Dr. Warren Lee, a cell biologist at St. Michael's Hospital, said, "While this research was conducted in mice, the results were exciting, since the drug was effective in two different strains of mice and three different strains of flu. Since the mechanism of blood vessels leaking into lungs is common throughout animals, I am optimistic the drug could be effective in animals other than mice, including humans."

Related Links:

St. Michael's Hospital


Gold Member
Blood Gas Analyzer
GEM Premier 7000 with iQM3
Antipsychotic TDM Assays
Saladax Antipsychotic Assays
New
Sulfidoleukotrienes (sLT) Assay
CAST ELISA
New
Adenovirus Detection Kit
REALQUALITY RQ-ADENO

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The new saliva-based test for heart failure measures two biomarkers in about 15 minutes (Photo courtesy of Trey Pittman)

POC Saliva Testing Device Predicts Heart Failure in 15 Minutes

Heart failure is a serious condition where the heart muscle is unable to pump sufficient oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. It ranks as a major cause of death globally and is particularly fatal for... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The bowel cancer breakthrough could result in better treatment outcomes (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New RNA Molecules Can Help Predict Bowel Cancer Return Recurrence

Colorectal cancer accounts for 10% of all cancer-related deaths worldwide and was ranked as the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States in 2022. Currently, clinicians face diagnostic... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: QScout CBC will give a complete blood count in 2 minutes from fingerstick or venous blood (Photo courtesy of Ad Astra Diagnostics)

Next Gen CBC and Sepsis Diagnostic System Targets Faster, Earlier, Easier Results

Every hour is critical in protecting patients from infections, yet there are currently limited tools to assist in early diagnosis before patients reach a hospital. The complete blood count (CBC) is a common... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The InfectoSynovia test has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

High-Accuracy Bedside Test to Diagnose Periprosthetic Joint Infection in Five Minutes

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) represents a significant global issue that is worsening as the number of joint replacements increases due to aging populations. In the United States alone, the anticipated... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image

AI-Based Method Shows Promise for Pathological Diagnosis of Hereditary Kidney Diseases

Alport syndrome is a hereditary kidney disorder characterized by kidney dysfunction, sensorineural hearing loss, and ocular abnormalities. Early in the disease, patients experience hematuria, which is... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.