Indian researchers have discovered a tiny RNA molecule, miR-122b-5p, that can stop the chikungunya virus from multiplying. The molecule also boosts the body’s immune response, making it a double defense against infection.
Indian researcher Dr. Priyanshu Srivastava offers new hope against chikungunya
New Delhi: Researchers at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, have discovered a small RNA molecule that could help fight chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus that causes repeated outbreaks in India and other tropical countries. The study was published in the Journal of Virology.
The molecule, called hsa-miR-122b-5p, acts in two important ways:
Stops Virus: It directly binds to the chikungunya virus inside immune cells called macrophages. This prevents the virus from multiplying.
Boosts Immune System: It also controls the body’s own genes. By reducing the activity of an enzyme called HDAC4, it strengthens the immune response. This helps the body fight the virus more effectively.
Biological E Limited partners with Bavarian Nordic to increase global access to Chikungunya Vaccine
Dr Priyanshu Srivastava, who led the research, said, “We were surprised that a single microRNA can both stop the virus and improve the immune system at the same time. It shows how smart our body’s defenses are.”
Chikungunya is a big health problem in India and worldwide. There is no vaccine or medicine specifically for it. This discovery could help scientists develop new RNA-based treatments that can both stop the virus and strengthen immunity.
Macrophages, the immune cells targeted by this RNA, are important because they both fight infection and sometimes allow the virus to survive. Learning how microRNAs like miR-122b-5p work could lead to better antiviral treatments in the future.
Health: Chikungunya may affect central nervous system as well as joints and lungs
India often faces chikungunya outbreaks, putting pressure on healthcare systems, especially in areas with poor mosquito control. This discovery shows that Indian research is making important contributions to global health. Scientists may soon be able to use or copy the effects of miR-122b-5p to control chikungunya and similar viral infections. This offers offers a new direction for developing RNA-based therapeutics that can both curb viral replication and enhance immune signaling.
This study also helps us understand how non-coding RNAs, small molecules that do not make proteins, control the fight between viruses and our immune system. It supports the idea that boosting the body’s own defenses could be a powerful way to fight viruses that change quickly.
