Thursday, February 26th 2009

By andrew dawdy

A new immune system boosting protein has been discovered at McMaster University. The Institute of Molecular Medicine and Health in conjunction with the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine have recently discovered a protein they call FimH. It is proven to enhance a person’s immune response to infection, the flu and even cancer. 

Authors Ashkar, Mossman, Coombes, Gyles and Mackenzie stated in their research’s abstract, “Our results demonstrate that FimH is a potent inducer of innate antimicrobial responses”. Essentially, antimicrobial responses send antimicrobial cells to ward off unwanted or unrecognized bacteria and viruses. The FimH protein strengthens these antimicrobial responses resulting in less bacteria, viruses and even mutated carcinogenic cells.  

The value of the protein is simple enough; your immune system will be boosted and your susceptibility to becoming ill will decrease. The application of the protein in a vaccination however would be a new way to approach preventing infections such as the flu.  Typically vaccines have been created to target certain strains of viruses. A common complaint about the “flu shot” is that it only protects its recipients from certain strains of the virus. Including this protein in these shots would be a means of fending off all strains of the virus as well as others. The protein would be used as a means of generally enhancing an already functioning immune system. 

It is often misconstrued that if you become sick after receiving the flu shot that the shot did not accomplish its goal. The odds of your sickness actually being the flu however are quite low. The flu and the common cold have very similar symptoms, and are often mistaken for the other. The flu, or influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness that results from the presence of the influenza virus. The common cold is also a respiratory illness but does not result in critical health issues. Influenza is much more serious and can result in pneumonia and death in serious cases. 

Researchers found that adding FimH to vaccines can enhance a person’s immune system, which would help prevent a cold following a flu shot.  The university has obviously recognized the potential usefulness of the protein and is looking for a way to protect the rights of their findings. The McMaster Industrial Liaison Office has filed for a provisional US patent for the use of the FimH protein with the goal to see it being used in the near future.

Tags: immune, protein, research, vaccine