Most people assume the body only reacts after a virus enters, but that’s not entirely true. Quiet defense systems are already working in the background, and one may be stronger than we realized.
Scientists from the Fisabio Foundation and several research centers have found something interesting about a molecule called dermcidin. This molecule is always present in the body and is usually linked with sweat.
Earlier, scientists knew it could kill bacteria and fungi. Now, research shows it can also fight the influenza virus.
Stopping the virus before it starts
The flu virus depends on a protein called hemagglutinin to enter human cells. Without this entry step, the virus cannot survive or spread. Dermcidin interrupts this process in a direct and effective way.
“Dermcidin, which is present in sweat and known for its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity, also exhibits antiviral activity against the influenza virus and can interfere with infection, as we have observed in in-vitro and in-vivo models,” noted Dr. María D. Ferrer, lead author of the study.
Instead of attacking the virus after infection, dermcidin acts early. It attaches to hemagglutinin and changes its shape.
Once that shape shifts, the virus loses its ability to merge with the cell. In simple terms, the virus gets blocked at the door.
Targeting many flu strains
Many antiviral drugs focus on a different protein called neuraminidase. That method works, but viruses often adapt over time.
Resistance becomes a real problem, and treatments stop working as expected.
Dermcidin offers a different angle. It targets a part of the virus that barely changes across different strains. Scientists call this a highly conserved region.
Because this region stays stable, dermcidin may work against many versions of the flu virus.
Implications for fighting other viruses
“These results show that our own bodies have natural mechanisms capable of curbing viral infection, which opens the door to the development of new, more effective antivirals”, notes Dr. Álex Mira, researcher at Fisabio and head of the Oral Microbiome group.
“This same principle could be extended to other respiratory viruses, such as the measles virus and coronaviruses associated with the common cold, suggesting a possible broad-spectrum effect.”
This idea opens up a bigger possibility. If one molecule can target stable parts of viruses, future treatments might work across multiple infections, not just one.
Right place at the right time
Dermcidin does not stay limited to sweat. The researchers found it in areas where viruses usually enter, such as the nose, saliva, and even tears.
This placement is not random. It allows dermcidin to act as an early shield.
“The results show that baseline levels of dermcidin are up to six times higher in people who do not develop flu-like symptoms, compared to susceptible individuals,” said Dr. Paula Corell, the study’s first author.
That difference matters. Higher levels of dermcidin seem to give better protection, which may explain why some people avoid getting sick even after exposure.
Body steps up during infection
When infection begins, dermcidin levels rise. This increase shows that the body actively uses this molecule during a viral attack. It is not just sitting there passively.
“Altogether, these findings reinforce the idea that dermcidin is part of the innate immune system’s first line of defense against this type of infection,” noted Dr. Corell.
The innate immune system acts fast and does not wait for prior exposure. Dermcidin fits perfectly into this system, stepping in early and reducing the chances of infection spreading further.
Learning from the body’s natural defenses
This discovery points toward a new direction in flu medicine. Instead of only designing drugs from scratch, scientists can learn from molecules that already exist in the body.
Researchers are now studying whether dermcidin can also guide the immune response, not just block viruses. A balanced response can prevent unnecessary damage during infections.
The work led by the Fisabio Foundation and its partner institutions shows something simple but powerful.
The body already holds tools that can fight infections effectively. Science is just beginning to understand how to use them better.
The study is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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