Research Uncovers how Bacteria Fight Viruses - University of Utah Health

Biophysical model of the origin and evolution of HK97-fold compartments. Researchers at the University of Miami have identified a group of previously unknown viruses that bridge an evolutionary gap between viruses and cellular protein compartments, a discovery with implications for both biotechnology and scientists' understanding of the origins of life. The findings, published in Nature Communications, challenge the theory that these cellular compartments, called encapsulins, simply evolved from viruses. Instead, the researchers found evidence that viruses and encapsulins evolved from one another repeatedly over millions of years.

Yona Tugg and colleagues show that a polyclonal secretory immunoglobulin A preparation, purified from breast milk pooled from multiple donors, neutralized respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human adenovirus type 5, and H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A viruses in laboratory assays. In mouse models of H1N1 influenza infection, two intranasal doses of LCTG-001, given two hours before and 24 hours after infection, reduced illness and lung damage in both immunocompetent and antibody-deficient mice. In immunocompetent mice, lung viral loads were lower early in infection but comparable to controls later, despite less lung damage and better lung barrier integrity.