An mRNA Vaccine to Prevent Genital Herpes

   

     In this article it goes in depth of how there have been only three human clinical trials that have close into finding a cure for Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). The article then goes on as to what was learned from each trial and to what each scientist should learn from the three trials. We then go into the subject of how mRNA technology will help find a vaccine for this disease. After the COVID-19 vaccine was found in 2021, opened the eyes for many scientist who are trying to have a breakthrough with the HSV vaccine. For this study the authors are focusing on a trivalent mRNA vaccine for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. 

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Understanding of herpesvirus infection advanced by new research

The herpe virus can last a lifetime. Once a person is infected, the virus can remain in someones system for years before reactivating to cause the disease to show up. National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientists have identified a set of protein complexes that are recruited to viral genes and stimulate both initial infection and reactivation from latency. Environmental stresses known to regulate these proteins also induce reactivation. The World Health Organization estimates that one-half billion people are infected with HSV-2 while two-thirds of the population are infected with HSV-1. This virus can cause a range from oral cold sores to genital lesions to serious eye conditions that can lead to blindness. In infants, HSV can cause neurological and developmental problems. Scientists found they could reactivate latent HSV in a mouse model using compounds that turn on components of these HCF-1 protein complexes. The scientists are still continuing their work  to investigate the protein complexes involved in promoting HSV gene expression. Once they do more work, it could lead to new therapeutics that can help people that live with this virus. 
Original article here
More information on the gene

A Gene For Herpes?

According to multiple studies, 9 out of 10 people carry the gene for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).  The only question was, why is it that if 90 percent of people carry the gene, only 20 percent of the population shows symptoms?  Recently, researchers from the University of Edinburgh, in Scotland, did a study taking blood samples from 20 people with cold sores.  When looking at their genes, the blood work showed that those with the cold sores had a mutation of the gene IL28B.  The researchers discovered that people who do not produce cold sores, those without the mutation, are able to produce the protein that keeps the virus inactive.  Therefore, those who do produce cold sores, who have the mutated IL28B gene, is not able to produce that protein and are then unable to have their immune system keep the virus under control.  Researchers now hope to find a way in which we can utilize this protein as a possible treatment for other infections caused by the HSV-1.

I found this to be very interesting, seeing as that my mom and my aunt both produce cold sores; therefore, they would have the IL28B mutation.  This then means, that even though I, myself, do not produce cold sores, I could still carry the HSV-1 gene.  Hopefully, researchers can find a way, just like they did for insulin and diabetes, to use the IL28B protein as a cure for HSV-1 and its related viruses.

A Treatment plan for Cold Sores?

Cold sores, also known as fever blister, are small blisters that develop on or around the lip area. When one has a cold sore the skin around the blister is usually red and swollen. Cold sores will take several days to two weeks to heal. Most cold sores are a product of a virus. The virus is the herpes simplex virus type 1 or HSV-1. Roughly twenty percent of people get these cold sores regular. Research say that the people that do get the cold sores normally can thank genetics. 

The virus type 1 (HSV-1) is found in nine out of ten people, but cold sores only effect the minority. Scientists have proposed the question as to why only the minority get these sore when the virus is found in so many people. In a study researchers at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland analyzed thousands of genes. They studied the genes to see which ones were responsible for halting the virus by making certain protein. In this studied they found multiple genes that could be preventing the virus from becoming active. When the researchers took a look at it from the opposites end, they found a mutated gene that was in people who got cold sores. The mutated IL28B gene was present in the blood samples of twenty people who had cold sores. The mutated IL28B gene is unable to produce the protein need to stop the virus from creating cold sores. The mutated gene leaves the body's immune system unable to protect itself again the cold sores.

The discovery of the mutated gene and its affect on the HSV-1 virus has open the door for a treatment  plan of the cold sores and other infection caused by HSV-1. The work done in this study was interesting. The study was first unsuccessful until the researchers looked at in reverse. The study will provided crucial information to help treat and prevent the HSV-1 virus from becoming active. This I though, was wonderful because the treatment could be used for all kinds of diseases, other than cold sores, that the virus causes. 

Genetic Protection Against Cold Sores

     Many people regularly experience cold score outbreaks, especially now in the winter season. Unfortunately, for those experiencing these embarrassing scores, treatment is expensive and temporary. However, recent evidence stated in a New York Times article suggest that sciences may be on the verge of a new treatment. It is known that twenty percent of the population experiences outbreaks, where as many as nine out of ten people possess the herpes simplex virus type 1. Consequently, scientist from the University of Edinburg in Scotland chose to experiment and investigate the genetics behind the virus.

     What they found was a genetically mutated gene in those patients who presented physical evidence of the virus. The gene is called IL28B and the mutation enables it to make protein which otherwise stops the cold score from physically arising. Nevertheless, the issue is much more than an individuals cosmetic appearance, this infectious virus is known to affect the brain, eyes, and genital track too. For that reason, this is a remarkable discovery which could treat the majority of the population that ignorantly suffer from the virus. Additional information regarding this topic can be found within the original peer-reviewed scientific article. It is impressive how much information our genes carry, which is why I enjoyed reading this article, it is another example of how genetics is rapidly advancing and positively affecting society.