Gene therapy of viral keratitis
Shanghai scientists have found a new way to treat the eyes
A group of researchers from Shanghai has discovered a new method of treating keratitis (inflammation of the cornea of the eye) based on genome editing, the Shanghai Daily (Local researchers develop cure for keratitis – VM) reports.
Keratitis can appear after infection with the herpes simplex virus of the first type. Infection of the cornea can cause herpetic keratitis, which leads to blindness in 85% of cases. According to the lead author of the study, Dr. Hong Jiaxu, this type of disease accounts for up to half of the cases of blindness in China.
"Modern medicines help to control only symptoms that cannot be eliminated because the virus hides inside the nervous system... Even when people have a corneal transplant, a relapse may occur. The only cure is the degradation of the virus genome," Hong said.
According to scientific data, the genome editing method kills the virus, leaving no room for relapse. In addition, scientists have developed a technology for delivering gene therapy to the target. It is reported that after successful experiments on mice, a series of tests using donated human corneas took place. It is noted that the experiments gave positive results.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the most common human pathogens in the world. About 97% of the world's population are carriers of this virus, which can hide inside the nervous system. To date, there is no vaccine or medicine for the treatment of HSV.
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