Scientists from Monash University have discovered that mammalian cells can use bacteriophage viruses to grow. The research was published in the journal PLOS Biology.
In a new study, biologists examined a well-known type of bacteriophage called T4, which commonly infects bacteria. Escherichia coli (Escherichia coli). In the laboratory, they infected mouse immune cells, human lung cells, and dog kidney cells with the bacteriophage. It turns out that mammalian cells can eat the virus and use it for nutrition. Contact with them also activates signaling pathways that support cell growth and survival. Scientists were surprised by this discovery because other bacteriophages are known to cause inflammatory responses in mammals. T4 virus has previously been found in the human intestine.
The authors noted that they only demonstrated this effect on cells in the laboratory. Their discoveries need to be confirmed in experiments involving animals. But they hope the findings will lead to the development of bacteriophage therapy to treat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
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