Experts from the Institute of Computational Mathematics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, together with their European colleagues, found that the development of chronic viral infections is associated with the premature death of macrophages. This inhibits the production of antiviral interferon proteins and leads to the formation of pathogens in the body. In this respect reported TASS, with reference to the Russian Science Foundation.
Scientists conducted an experiment on rodents infected with the LCMV virus, which causes lymphocytic choriomeningitis. The results of the study showed that during acute infection, the body produces two waves of the antiviral interferon protein, but only one wave is produced during chronic infection. This is because the macrophages in the spleens of the mice responsible for the second wave died.
Researchers suggest that a similar mechanism occurs in humans. In the future, the authors hope to find the causes of the death of macrophages by developing the first effective methods of combating chronic viral infections. This will help prevent the death process of molecules important for immunity.
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