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Mouse 'with a cold' signals hope for future treatments
06 Feb 2008
Scientists could be one step closer to understanding why common colds and flu can often trigger asthma attacks - with the help of mice.
Experts have managed to recreate the rhinovirus, the infection behind three quarters of common colds, in mice for the first time.
By modifying the cells of the mice, Professor Sebastian Johnson at Imperial College London and his team were able to infect them with the virus.
It is hoped that the findings will help to pave the way for new treatments for people suffering with asthma and other respiratory conditions by testing on small animals, something that has never been possible before.
"Until now it has not been possible to study rhinovirus infection in small animals," said Professor Johnson.
"This has been a major obstacle to developing new treatments and there is currently no effective treatment for rhinovirus infection.
"These mouse models should provide a major boost to research efforts to develop new treatments for the common cold, as well as for more potentially fatal illnesses such as acute attacks of asthma and of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder)."
Commenting on the study, Leanne Male, assistant director of research at Asthma UK added: "Ninety per cent of people with asthma tell us that colds and flu triggers their asthma symptoms but as yet there is no specific treatment for virally-induced asthma attacks and steroid treatments are only partially effective against them."
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