1. Bad gene cripples flu defenses.
- Author
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Leslie, Mitch
- Subjects
- *
INFLUENZA research , *GENETIC mutation , *INTERFERON regulatory factor genetics , *INFLUENZA viruses , *IMMUNE response , *DISEASE susceptibility , *PHYSIOLOGY - Abstract
The article reports on a study by physician Jean-Laurent Casanova of Rockefeller University and colleagues which found a mutated version of the interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) gene has crippled defenses of a French girl against influenza virus. It says that the girl, who was diagnosed with severe influenza, nearly died from the disease because of the faulty gene. It discusses the effect of mutations on cells that are attacked by the flu virus and the susceptibility to severe flu.
- Published
- 2015