New protein has broad-spectrum bactericidal effect

"We found that proteins that kill Gram-negative bacteria had the same bactericidal effect on Gram-positive bacteria," said David ermert, one of the study's authors, whose results were published in the latest issue of Journal of immunology   Complement system is an important part of our body's natural immune system, which can protect us from the infection of pathogenic microorganisms, but because it is too strong, it needs to be carefully controlled to avoid damage to the body's own cells Factor H is a kind of regulatory element that controls complement reaction The protein can circulate in the blood system and protect the body from the attack of complement molecules: when the cell surface is covered with factor H, it can successfully avoid the recognition of complement system   "Most of the pathogenic microorganisms have developed mechanisms to resist complement reaction, so that they can achieve the goal of successful infection," said Anna Blom, one of the authors of the study and professor from Lund University Some of these bacteria can also successfully avoid the attack of complement system under the cover of factor H   Previous studies have shown that a special fusion protein designed by Professor Sanjay ram from Massachusetts Medical College can effectively resist the infection of mice caused by gram-negative bacteria (gonorrhea, meningitis, respiratory tract infection, etc.), while pathogenic bacteria can use factor H to escape the immune killing of the body Now, researchers have found that these fusion proteins can still kill infection caused by Gram-positive bacteria In fact, the protein can block the activity of factor H molecule covered on the surface of bacteria, thus activating the immune response   In the next step, the author hopes to study whether the protein can have the same therapeutic effect on infections caused by multiple drug-resistant bacteria.