UTHSCT Team: Natural Chemical Could Prevent Flu Infections
Posted/updated on: May 6, 2011 at 1:38 pm
TYLER — Research by a team of scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler indicates that a natural chemical produced by the body boosts the immune system and protects against lethal flu infections. Lead investigator Amir Shams, Ph.D., said the chemical enables immune system cells to signal each other, helping to regulate the system. Scientists call it GM-CSF, which stands for granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor.
According to a UTHSCT news release, if their results are confirmed in future clinical trials, research by Shams and the UTHSCT team could change the way people are protected against the flu. UTHSCT officials say rather than getting an annual flu shot, individuals might be able to use a nasal spray that boosts their lungs’ immune system, enabling them to fight off the flu.
“If we had a flu pandemic, we could use this chemical to increase the innate immunity of the population,” said Dr. Shams, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at UTHSCT. That would provide a head start in protecting people, because creating a vaccine against a new and deadly flu strain takes time, and flu viruses mutate very quickly, he said. “In addition,” he added, “the flu vaccine doesn’t work as well in older people, and it takes two weeks after you get a flu shot to build up your immunity.” Adults 65 years of age and older have an increased risk of developing serious complications from the flu, according to the National Institutes of Health.
The research done by Dr. Shams and the UTHSCT team recently was published in the online edition of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, a prestigious journal published by the American Thoracic Society. UTHSCT President Dr. Kirk A. Calhoun expressed his pride in the achievements made by Dr. Shams and the UTHSCT team. “Our researchers and physicians have identified a potential treatment that may save the lives of up to half a million people worldwide annually who die from the flu,” Dr. Calhoun said.
