Gene, called Arih2, makes decides whether to switch on the immune response to an infection Researchers are looking at the effect on the immune response of switching gene off for short periods Say it has potential to help treat chronic conditions

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 09:58 EST, 27 November 2012 | UPDATED: 10:50 EST, 27 November 2012

A newly discovered gene could hold the key to treating and potentially controlling chronic infections such as HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis.

The gene, called Arih2, is essential for embryo survival. Now scientists have found it controls the function of the immune system making critical decisions about whether to switch on the immune response to an infection.

It could help in the development of treatments for infections that 'overwhelm' the immune system like HIV as well as conditions that cause chronic inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Dr Marc Pellegrini (left) and Dr Greg Ebert were part of a research team that discovered a gene which is essential to the immune response to infection

The gene was discovered in dendritic cells by a team from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Australia. These cells act as an early warning system raising the alarm if they detect foreign invaders.

'Arih2 is responsible for the most fundamental and important decision that the immune system has to make - whether the immune response should be initiated and progressed or whether it should be switched off to avoid the development of chronic inflammation or autoimmunity,' research leader Dr Marc Pellegrini, said.

'If the wrong decision is made, the organism will either succumb to the infection, or succumb to autoimmunity.'

Original post:
Gene discovered that decides whether to 'switch on' immune system and could control HIV

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