Most people assume that the body only reacts after a virus enters the body, but this is not entirely true. There are already silent defense systems working in the background — and one of them could be stronger than previously thought.
Scientists from the Fisabio Foundation and several research centers have identified interesting information about a molecule called dermcidina. This molecule is always present in the body and is usually associated with sweat.
Until now, scientists knew that could eliminate bacteria and fungi. Now, a new one, published on Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that it can also fight the flu virus.
The flu virus depends on a protein called hemaglutinina to enter human cells. Without this entry step, the virus cannot survive or spread. Dermcidin stops this process directly and effectively.
“Dermcidin, present in sweat and known for its antibacterial and antifungal activity, also has antiviral activity against the influenza virus and can interfere with infection, as observed in in vitro and in vivo models”, explains the Maria D. Ferrermain author of the study, cited by .
Instead of attacking the virus after infection, a dermcidina bell god at an early stage, binding to hemagglutinin and changes its shape. When this structure changes, the virus loses its ability to fuse with the cell. In simple terms, it is blocked at entry.
Currently, many antivirals focus on a different protein called neuraminidase. This method works, but viruses adapt often over time. THE resistance then becomes a real problemand treatments no longer work as expected.
A dermcidin offers a different approach: acts on a part of the virus that hardly changes between different strains. Scientists call it a highly conserved region. As this region remains stable, dermcidin may act against many variants of the flu virus.
“These results show that our own organism has natural mechanisms capable of stopping viral infection, which paves the way for the development of new, more effective antivirals”, he highlights. Alex Miraresearcher at Fisabio and responsible for the Oral Microbiome group.
“This same principle could be extended to other respiratory virusessuch as the virus measles and coronavirus associated with the common cold, suggesting a possible broad-spectrum effect.”
This idea opens up a broader possibility. If a molecule is able to target stable parts of viruses, future treatments could work against multiple infections, not just against one.
The work led by the Fisabio Foundation and partner institutions shows something simple, but powerful. THE organization already has tools capable of effectively combating infections. Science is just beginning to realize how it can use them better.
