An immune system defect makes affected individuals vulnerable to severe viral diseases such as influenza or COVID-19. It is caused by the body’s own antibodies, which inhibit important defense proteins known as type I interferons. UZH researchers have now generated “decoy molecules” that intercept these autoantibodies and restore the immune defense – the foundation for a possible new therapy.
Type I interferons are proteins released by cells in response to virus infections. They are an essential part of innate immune defenses and serve as early-warning messengers for other cells and tissues of the body. The uninfected cells prepare themselves to fight the invading virus, which ultimately limits the disease. Around 2-4% of individuals over the age of 65 years – an estimated 100 million people worldwide -…