NIH-funded researchers identify how hantaviruses infect the lungs

(NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) A human protein associated with asthma is key to how hantaviruses infect the lungs and sometimes cause the life-threatening pulmonary condition hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), according to researchers supported by NIH. They say the most prevalent hantaviruses in North America (Sin Nombre virus) and South America (Andes virus) can recognize the protein, protocadherin-1 (PCDH1), and exploit it to infect the lungs. They hope that disrupting that recognition event could lead to a therapeutic against HPS.
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news