Anti-Zika virus protein is expected to suppress AIDS

Recently, the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of System Medicine, Suzhou Institute of System Medicine (referred to as "the system") has published a research result with the University of California, Los Angeles and other institutions. The researchers found through recombinant human proteins that protein Cholesterol-25-Hydroxylase (CH25H) and its enzymatic reaction product, 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC), had a definitive protective effect on the disease caused by Zika virus infection and was expected to inhibit Ebola Viruses, HIV and so on. The results have been published by the internationally renowned journal Immunity.

Zika virus broke out in Brazil and other countries in the United States from 2015 and is still a global threat to human health. China has also reported dozens of cases of imported Zika cases. Once pregnant women infected with Zika virus, it may lead to fetal development abnormalities, neonatal head disease and other neurological diseases. There is currently no effective therapy for the Zika virus, nor through the clinical trial of the vaccine.

According to Dr. Li Chunfeng, who participated in the research system, as early as in 2013, Chinese and American scientists discovered the broad-spectrum antiviral effect of 25-hydroxycholesterol. After the outbreak of the Zika virus, the system responded to the national call and the Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Genetics and Development and the University of California, Los Angeles and other institutions carried out joint research on the cholesterol-25-hydroxy.

Cholesterol-25-hydroxylase is an interferon-stimulating gene whose gene expression product allows the cholesterol to be oxidized to produce 25-hydroxycholesterol. Through the experiment, the researchers found that 25-hydroxy cholesterol can directly block the virus into the cell process, including a variety of insect vector yellow viruses have a broad spectrum of antiviral activity including Zika virus. Researchers used the mouse model of the Zika virus infection and rhesus animal model and found that 25-hydroxy cholesterol treatment can significantly inhibit the virus in vivo replication and can effectively prevent the occurrence of microcephaly.

Professor Cheng Genhong, who participated in the study, said that 25-hydroxycholesterol was the first small molecule to be found in the monkey to inhibit the replication of the Zika virus and was the first compound to prevent the microcephaly caused by infection of the virus.

"Theoretically, it may have the same effect on the human body. Our next step is to begin clinical trials to verify the effectiveness of 25-hydroxy cholesterol on the human body," Cheng Genhong said. The system will also examine the antiviral effect of 25-hydroxycholesterol derivatives and look for substances that are more effective in suppressing Zika virus infection.

In addition, based on 25-hydroxy-cholesterol broad-spectrum antiviral effect, Chinese and American scientists have experimentally confirmed that 25-hydroxy cholesterol can inhibit Ebola virus, AIDS and so on. The two sides will continue to cooperate to apply it to the prevention and treatment of new viral diseases, which will provide new programs for effective prevention and treatment of viral infectious diseases. Flarebio provides you with good-quality recombinant proteins and antibodies such NES Monoclonal Antibody.