Scientists have found: the main remedy for the common cold is hidden in the nose

Illustrative photo: LookByMedia

With the onset of winter, the number of respiratory infections sharply increases. Rhinoviruses hold a special place among them — the most common cause of the common cold, an "acute respiratory illness." However, even when the virus enters the body, a person does not always get sick. The Wall Street Journal highlights new research by scientists from Yale School of Medicine, whose findings help explain why this happens.

As the authors of the article, published in the journal Cell Press Blue, note, only about half of people whose noses are exposed to the virus experience cold symptoms. The immune response of the nasal sinus cells plays a decisive role in whether a person gets sick. It is there that the first and most important phase of the body's fight against the virus unfolds.

To understand the reasons for this difference, the team of scientists grew nasal tissue in the laboratory, allowing them to study cellular and molecular changes in the lining of the nose and lungs when these cells are exposed to rhinovirus.

Two scenarios

As a result of the experiments, scientists found that the body's reaction usually follows one of two scenarios.

In a favorable development, the body acts preemptively and instantly produces a special protein — interferon. This substance is the main coordinator of antiviral defense. It blocks the penetration of the virus into cells and stops its reproduction. If there is enough interferon and it starts acting quickly, the virus will not manage to capture even one percent of cells, thanks to which the person remains healthy and doesn't even suspect an attack.

However, when scientists blocked the action of interferon, the virus began to spread much faster and actively replicate itself.

If the interferon response is delayed or weak, the virus captures a significant portion of the tissues. In such a case, 30% or more of the cells become infected. This triggers a strong inflammatory reaction: the body begins to produce proteins that initiate inflammation, mucus production increases, and a runny nose, nasal congestion, weakness, and other typical cold symptoms appear.

Павялічыць

Illustrative photo. Source: Getty Images

What affects the immune response

Although researchers cannot yet definitively say what exactly determines the success of the immune response in each individual case, they have identified a number of factors that seriously influence this process.

One of the main enemies of health turned out to be cold air. When the ambient temperature drops, cells in the nose and lungs begin to produce interferon much more slowly, which gives the virus an advantage.

In addition to climatic conditions, the environment and lifestyle play a significant role. Inhaling polluted air or tobacco smoke fundamentally changes the immune response. Instead of a rapid antiviral defense, the body of a smoker or resident of an industrial area more often leans towards a severe inflammatory process, making the cold more painful and prolonged.

At the same time, scientists also noted an interesting positive factor: if a person has recently suffered another viral infection, the interferon level remains elevated, which allows the body to repel a new rhinovirus attack even before the first symptoms appear.

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