Why Scientists Are Puzzled By This Virus
Summary
TLDRThe human body hosts a vast virome, teeming with trillions of viruses that play a crucial role in maintaining our health. These bacteriophages, or phages, specialize in hunting and controlling bacterial populations, aiding in digestion, immune system balance, and even potentially combating diseases like cancer. However, some viruses can turn beneficial bacteria into harmful pathogens, causing diseases like cholera. The complex relationship between our virome and microbiome is a frontier of science, revealing potential allies within us that can manipulate our health for better or worse.
Takeaways
- 🌐 The human body is home to trillions of viruses, which are part of the human virome and play a crucial role in our health.
- 🤝 These viruses are not enemies but symbiotic partners, aiding in digestion, immune system balance, and protection against harmful bacteria.
- 🔬 Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically target bacteria and are the most abundant type in the human virome.
- 🦠 In the gut, phages help control bacterial populations by hunting and killing bacteria, which is essential for maintaining a healthy balance.
- 🛡️ Some viruses can alter bacteria to support the host's body, such as by enhancing the gut's mucus layer or improving the breakdown of complex carbohydrates.
- 🚫 However, there's a dark side: certain viruses can turn harmless bacteria into pathogens, like the CTXφ bacteriophage with Vibrio cholerae, causing diseases.
- 🛑 The human virome can also include oncolytic viruses, which target and kill cancer cells, potentially offering a new avenue for cancer treatment.
- 🤔 The human virome is unique to each individual and is still not fully understood, with ongoing research revealing more about its complexity and importance.
- 🧬 Viruses can manipulate bacteria in ways that either support the host's health or cause harm, highlighting the delicate balance within our microbiome.
- 🌟 The potential of the human virome to combat diseases, including cancer, is an exciting frontier in science with the possibility to save millions of lives.
Q & A
What is the human virome?
-The human virome refers to the collection of viruses that live in and on the human body, including bacteriophages that are specialized in hunting and killing bacteria, playing a crucial role in maintaining health.
How do viruses in the human virome contribute to our health?
-Viruses in the human virome, particularly bacteriophages, help maintain a balance in the bacterial population by hunting and killing bacteria, which can prevent overgrowth of harmful bacteria and support the immune system.
What is the relationship between bacteriophages and bacteria?
-Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria. They can either kill bacteria by taking over their cellular machinery to replicate or integrate their DNA into the bacterial genome to remain dormant until triggered to kill the host.
How do some viruses manipulate bacteria to benefit the human body?
-Some viruses can inject genes into bacteria that make them support the human body more effectively, such as by improving the gut's mucus layer, enhancing the breakdown of complex carbohydrates, or altering signals sent to immune cells to prevent allergic reactions or autoimmune diseases.
What is the potential dark side of the human virome?
-Some bacteriophages can carry dangerous genes that, when integrated into bacteria, can turn harmless bacteria into harmful or even deadly pathogens, causing diseases like cholera or severe skin infections.
Can viruses in the human virome help fight cancer?
-Yes, oncolytic viruses are known to target and kill cancer cells by exploiting their weaknesses against viral infections, turning cancer cells into virus production factories, and attracting immune cells to attack the tumor.
How do oncolytic viruses disrupt the cancer cell's environment?
-Oncolytic viruses can disrupt the protective environment that tumors create to evade the immune system, effectively opening the gates for immune cells to attack the tumor more effectively.
What is the role of the human microbiome in our body?
-The human microbiome consists of trillions of bacteria that live in symbiosis with the human body, aiding in digestion, vitamin synthesis, immune system balance, and preventing harmful bacteria from colonizing.
How do viruses in the gut virome control bacterial populations?
-Viruses in the gut virome, such as bacteriophages, control bacterial populations by specifically targeting and killing bacteria, thus preventing their overgrowth and maintaining a healthy balance in the gut ecosystem.
What is the potential of oncolytic viruses in cancer treatment?
-Oncolytic viruses show promise as a new tool in cancer treatment, potentially complementing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and may become an important part of cancer treatment strategies in the future.
Outlines
🌐 The Human Virome: Guardians of Your Health
Scientists have discovered that the human body hosts trillions of viruses, which are not harmful but essential for health. These viruses, particularly bacteriophages, protect against disease and may even combat cancer. The human virome is a unique virus ecosystem that plays a symbiotic role in maintaining the balance of the human microbiome, which consists of 40 trillion bacteria that perform various beneficial functions such as breaking down meals, synthesizing vitamins, and balancing the immune system. The virome keeps bacterial populations in check, with bacteriophages specializing in hunting specific bacteria, thereby preventing overgrowth and disease. Some viruses even enhance bacterial support for the body, such as improving the gut's mucus layer or modulating immune cell signals to prevent allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases.
🦠 When Viruses Turn Bacteria into Pathogens
While the human virome is generally beneficial, some viruses can transform harmless bacteria into dangerous pathogens. For instance, the CTXφ bacteriophage infects Vibrio cholerae, integrating the cholera toxin gene into the bacteria's genome, causing severe diarrhea and dehydration. Similarly, the φSa3ms phage can arm Staphylococcus aureus with superantigens and enzymes that break down the body's defenses, leading to a highly aggressive infection. These examples illustrate the dark side of the virome, where viruses can enhance the virulence of bacteria, making them formidable threats to human health.
🛡️ Cancer-Killing Viruses: A New Frontier in Medicine
Oncolytic viruses, which target and destroy cancer cells, represent a promising area of medical research. Viruses like the Newcastle Disease virus and Reovirus primarily infect and kill tumor cells, exploiting the cancer cells' weakened defenses against viral infections. These viruses not only kill cancer cells but also disrupt the protective environment that tumors create to evade the immune system. By doing so, they attract immune cells to the tumor site, enhancing the body's natural defense against cancer. The potential integration of oncolytic viruses with chemotherapy or radiation therapy could revolutionize cancer treatment, offering a new weapon in the fight against this deadly disease.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Virome
💡Bacteriophages
💡Microbiome
💡Oncolytic Viruses
💡Ecosystem
💡Immune System
💡Cholera Toxin
💡Staphylococcus aureus
💡Superantigens
💡Cytokines
Highlights
Scientists have discovered that your body is home to trillions of viruses, which are crucial for your health.
These viruses protect you from disease and may even have the potential to kill cancer cells.
The human virome is a new frontier in science, with unique ecosystems of viruses specific to each individual.
The human body is a complex ecosystem consisting of up to 40 trillion cells and an equal number of bacteria.
Bacteria in the human microbiome perform essential functions like breaking down meals and synthesizing vitamins.
The balance between bacteria and viruses is delicate, with viruses acting as predators to control bacterial populations.
At least ten trillion viruses are present in the human body, with thousands of different species.
Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that hunt and kill bacteria without infecting human cells.
Viruses in the gut help control bacterial populations and prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria.
Some viruses can alter bacteria to support the human body, such as by enhancing the gut's mucus layer.
The human virome can influence immune responses and potentially protect against autoimmune diseases.
Certain bacteriophages can turn harmless bacteria into harmful ones by integrating dangerous genes into their genetic code.
Viruses can transform bacteria like Vibrio cholerae into deadly pathogens by providing them with genes for toxins.
Oncolytic viruses target and kill cancer cells, exploiting their weaknesses against viral infections.
Oncolytic viruses may become an important tool in cancer treatment, complementing chemotherapy and radiation.
The human virome is a vast and complex system with trillions of potential allies that can impact health in various ways.
The study of the human virome is an exciting and growing field with significant implications for human health.
Transcripts
Very recently scientists discovered that your body is teeming with trillions of
the most bizarre viruses – these viruses are not your enemies but critical to your health,
protecting you from disease, maybe even killing cancer. A new frontier of sci
ence, something truly new that we are only just beginning to
understand. Let us dive into the wild world of the human virome.
You are an Ecosystem
You're a living, breathing ecosystem made of up to 40 trillion cells. This metropolis of flesh is
home to the human microbiome, another 40 trillion bacteria that have a contract with your body:
They get to live here and in return they break down your meals. They synthesise
vitamins in your gut, neutralise acid in your mouth, help balance your immune system,
and they take up space preventing harmful bacteria from getting in.
This is a fragile balance – bacteria really only look out for themselves, multiplying
and testing their boundaries. To keep their numbers in check,
your body's ecosystem needs a group of deadly predators:
Viruses. At least ten trillion.
They're literally everywhere in your body, tens of thousands of different species.
At least a few trillion live in your gut, where also most of your resident bacteria
are. At least 18 billion on your skin, 100 million in each drop of your saliva,
dozens of millions in your urinary tract. Even in a single drop of the cerebrospinal
fluid surrounding your nerves and brain, researchers found up to 10,000 viruses.
While this sounds like a horrible idea at first,
at least in the gut, around 97% of them are bacteriophages, or phages,
bizarre creatures that are specialised in hunting down and killing resident bacteria
and are not able to infect your cells. Instead they kill trillions of bacteria every single day.
Together these viruses make up the human virome – a symbiotic virus ecosystem that
is completely unique to you and that seems to be crucial for your health. Let’s get to
know them and see how they support you – and what happens if things go wrong.
The Silent Mass Murderers of Your Body
Inside your gut, a stealthy Lambda Phage floats through the buzzing crowds of bacteria,
looking for a victim. It has six legs, a long thin body and a big head, made of geometric shapes,
filled with genetic material. Each species is specialized in hunting one specific species
of bacteria and ignores all others. Lambda is looking for Escherichia coli.
This versatile bacteria is numerous in your gut, usually a good boy synthesising vitamins
for you. But it also has a dark side – some of them would much rather live inside your flesh
and feast on your resources. If there are too many or if they manage to invade your tissue,
they can cause serious diseases. So one of the most important jobs of the virome
is to control the numbers of different bacteria populations. By killing them.
Lambda has found a victim. Spider-like legs get a hold of a bacteria and grip it hard. Like an
angry syringe it violently rams its sharp bottom into the victim’s body and releases its DNA and
Once inside, the proteins disable the defenses of the bacterium. It is now
a factory under new management. It is forced to build new viruses until
the victim is filled up and bursts open, releasing a horde of fresh Lambda viruses.
But its goal is not genocide.
Phages need a healthy population of bacteria to survive. So sometimes they choose a way
more sinister tactic. Instead of killing their victim, the virus integrates its DNA into the
genome of the bacteria and goes to sleep. When the bacteria multiplies, the virus DNA is multiplied
too. Until one day the viral DNA re-awakens and suddenly decides to kill its unsuspecting victim.
And here things become exciting – your virome also needs you to thrive. It’s in
its best interest that you are healthy. So some viruses inject genes into bacteria that actively
make them support your body. Some force their bacteria hosts to support your gut’s mucus layer,
break down complex carbohydrates from your food more efficiently,
creating substances that protect against inflammation.
And they alter what signals bacteria send to your immune cells. Basically they’re letting them know:
We have things under control, you can chill out. This may prevent
allergic reactions or even protect you against autoimmune diseases.
But of course, there is also a dark side to this story. Some viruses don’t care about
our health. Instead of helping they turn harmless bacteria into deadly monsters.
When Viruses turn Bacteria into killers
Some species of bacteriophage carry dangerous genes for toxic substances.
When they take over their hosts, they can integrate into the genetic code of
the bacteria where they lay as a deadly gift. Like the case of the Vibrio cholerae and the
CTXφ bacteriophage hunting them. Most strains of the cholerae bacteria are
harmless and billions of them may live in your gut right now. When CTXφ infect the bacteria,
they gift them the genes for the cholera toxin, which permanently becomes part of
their genetic lineage forever. It's like handing a house cat a shotgun.
Vibrio cholerae shower these toxins at the cells lining your gut, making them sick. They
vomit large amounts of salt, which pulls out a flood of water into your intestines. This
causes explosive diarrhoea and vomiting, draining your body of fluid. If untreated,
about half of patients die. But for the phage and bacteria this is great. They are
carried out of the body to infect more humans, spreading and multiplying further. This strain
of Vibrio cholerae is now a dangerous enemy of humanity thanks to this virus.
Or the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, which is hunted by the phage with the amazing name: φSa3ms.
Usually the bacteria is mostly harmless and lives on your skin and inside your
nose. It doesn’t do anything useful per se, its main job is to take up space,
making it harder for hostile bacteria to colonise your body. But φSa3ms can change this
quickly – it carries multiple dangerous genes, like giving a cat flamethrowers and grenades.
If such a modified Staphylococcus aureus bacteria gets into your body through a tiny cut,
it becomes extremely dangerous. One of its new weapons are superantigens, which basically is
like injecting your immune cells with cocaine. The toxin completely breaks your carefully fine
tuned immune system. It activates all of your T cells, all at once and makes them flip out.
They release a tsunami of cytokines, activating all of your defenses at once. The infection is
flooded with cells that can’t fight the bacteria and cause heavy inflammation.
Your broken and confused immune cells have a really hard time fighting Staphylococcus aureus,
which now invades, penetrating deep into your tissue. Your body is trying to seal the wounds
and isolate the invader, but another new weapon it gained has the ability to just
dissolve the barriers and penetrate even deeper. Before the onset of antibiotics an infection
with Staphylococcus aureus was very deadly and we have φSa3ms to thank for making it even deadlier.
But the viruses of our virome may also directly save your life – by killing cancer.
Cancer Killing Viruses
Oncolytic viruses specialize in hunting and killing cancer – like the Newcastle Disease
virus or the Reovirus, who mostly ignore your healthy cells and instead hunt down tumors.
Cancer cells are broken mutants that evolve various ways to hide and fight back against
your immune system. But as they get better at this, they get worse at other things,
like fighting back viruses. A weakness to be exploited. Oncolytic viruses target the
specific adaptations of cancer cells, hitting them where they are not ready to be hit.
And worse for these cells, since their internal machinery is compromised,
they can’t defend themselves. They are taken over and turned into virus production factories.
Eventually the new viruses leave the cancer cell, often killing it, and carry on infecting other
cancer cells nearby. This death and destruction is not subtle, and one side effect is that
it attracts immune cells that immediately begin attacking the tumor with full force.
What is even more impressive, these viruses seem to disrupt the artificial
environment that tumors create to keep your immune system at bay. Oncolytic
viruses are like infiltrators in a city at siege, opening the gates while killing
defenders left and right – helping your immune cells to win the fight.
In 2024 we don’t know yet to what degree oncolytic viruses are part of your virome or more of a happy
accident. But they seem to go well together with chemotherapy or radiation. Eventually they may
become an important new tool to enable us to eliminate cancer and save millions of lives.
We don’t know what we will learn in the next few years, but we now know that there
are trillions of potential allies within us, killing and manipulating, for better
or worse. What an exciting time to be alive.
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