Researchers from University of Iowa have found that mice treated
with the protein, Griffithsin (GRFT), had a 100 percent survival
rate after exposure to the SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV), as
compared to a 30 percent survival for untreated mice. GRFT is
believed to exert its anti-viral effects by altering the shape
of the sugar molecules that line the virus' envelope, allowing
it to attach to and invade human cells, where it takes over the
cells' reproductive machinery to replicate itself. Without that
crucial ability, the virus is unable to cause disease. "While
preliminary, these results are very exciting and indicate a
possible therapeutic approach to future SARS or other
coronaviral outbreaks," said Christine Wohlford-Lenane, senior
research assistant at the department of pediatrics University of
Iowa and the lead author of the study. GRFT not only stop the
virus from replicating, but also prevented secondary outcomes,
such as weight loss, that are associated with infection. "We are
planning future studies t