Gene discovery halts Avian Influenza 'spillover' to humans - Nature Study
Researchers have made a significant discovery regarding the role of a specific human gene in preventing the transmission of avian flu viruses from birds to humans. This gene is naturally present in all humans and is primarily located in the lungs and upper respiratory tract, where flu viruses tend to replicate. While scientists were already aware of its existence, they have now uncovered its potent antiviral capabilities. A comprehensive six-year investigation led by the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research has revealed that the BTN3A3 gene acts as a robust barrier against the majority of avian flu viruses. Although instances of avian flu spillover into humans are relatively rare, certain strains of avian flu viruses have occasionally managed to infect people. The study identified a genetic mutation in certain bird and swine flu viruses that allow them to bypass the protective effects of the BTN3A3 gene and cause human infections. By examining the history of past influenza pandemics in humans and linking resistance to the BTN3A3 gene with specific virus types, the researchers have concluded that all human influenza pandemics, including the Spanish flu of 1918 and the swine flu outbreak of 2009, were caused by strains resistant to BTN3A3. These findings indicate that the presence or absence of resistance to the BTN3A3 gene could play a crucial role in determining the pandemic potential of flu strains in humans. Consequently, it may be valuable to conduct tests on wild birds, poultry, and other susceptible animals, such as pigs, to identify BTN3A3-resistant viruses and assess their potential to cause widespread outbreaks.
