16 ms·

I assume, without reading the paper or being an expert, that they use the virus as a vector for their genetic payload, while also removing the reproduction inst

• card_zero 2y ago
  The virus is like that, but naturally occuring: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helper_dependent_virus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helper_dependent_virus "The most widely known dependovirus is adeno-associated virus (AAV)" It's "replication-deficient", a "satellite virus": it requires help (from a different virus) to replicate. (I don't know this stuff either, I'm just summarizing Wikipedia at you.)
  • hirenj 2y ago
    Fun fact: The AAVR (AAV receptor) is itself a glycoprotein (carrying the precise type of glycosylation they are trying to repair with the “gene therapy”). Haven’t read up what replacement gene dose ended up being, but entirely within realms of possibility that this could influence which cells get corrected.
    • card_zero 2y ago
      So that's, what, a protein on the outside of the cell that lets the virus in, like its own particular catflap? And you're saying this portal is made of mucus, and mucus is what they want to repair, and therefore ... nope, can't piece the conclusion together, sorry. "Could infuence", as in?
      • hirenj 2y ago
        Catflap is a surprisingly apt analogy. In this case it is an endocytosis receptor, that selects cargo for uptake. Differs from virus to virus of course, but I could see changes in the sugars on these proteins altering behaviour. Mucus/mucins are basically proteins very heavily modified with sugars, so you have this common system that is adapted to do different things.
        • card_zero 2y ago
          (endocytosis, into-cell-doing.)