Media Availability:NIH-Funded Scientists Identify Receptor for Asthma-Associated Virus

Media Availability:NIH-Funded Scientists Identify Receptor for Asthma-Associated Virus

Scientists Identify Receptor for Asthma-Associated Virus

NIAID-funded researchers have identified a cellular receptor for rhinovirus C, a cold-causing virus associated with severe asthma attacks. The findings suggest that a certain variant in the gene for this receptor may be a risk factor for childhood wheezing illnesses caused by rhinovirus C, which in turn may increase the risk of developing asthma. In addition, the results point to a novel target for the development of new strategies to prevent and treat rhinovirus C-induced colds and asthma attacks.