Studies have found that the immune system's response to malaria infection may help develop new HIV drugs

Recently, a new study from Australian researchers found that the immune system's response to malaria infection may help develop new treatments for hepatitis C, HIV and lupus Using laboratory models, researchers found that intense inflammatory signals from malaria infection activate specific molecules that trigger the production of highly effective antibodies against disease Dr Hansen and her team have been exploring how the host immune system responds to malaria infection for the past decade "Dr Hansen said she hoped the finding would play a role outside malaria "I think this discovery provides an opportunity to treat chronic viral infections and autoimmune diseases," she said Dr Hansen said they had identified molecular 'switches' that drive the immune system to produce powerful antibodies, as well as inflammatory signals that affect its function For this molecule or other molecules in the same pathway, it can provide precise means to treat these diseases In chronic infections, including malaria and viral infections, such as HIV and chronic hepatitis C, the production of very high-quality and effective antibodies is essential to eliminate infection On the other hand, B cells that can produce antibodies against autoantigens (proteins and tissues of human body) are the root cause of autoimmune diseases, such as lupus