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Researchers have discovered a new chain reaction in the body's immune system, according to a new study. Researchers using the knowledge, also developed a new treatment against harmful viruses. 

Viral pandemics, e.g. coronavirus that caused the deadly SARS outbreak in 2002, have caused several deaths in Canada and yet effective anti viral drugs are not adequately available.

Researchers discovered that an enzyme called MMP12 serves double-duty in the deployment of the critical antiviral protein: it first enters the infected cell to activate Interferon alpha and then sends it outside the cell membrane to fight viruses. 

Once the job of Interferon alpha is done, MMP12 dissolves the protein during the healing process, as stated by the press release.

Researchers developed a new antiviral drug that blocks MMP12 from dissolving Interferon alpha outside the cell. Also, the drug cannot penetrate cell membranes hence is unable to interfere with the beneficial work inside the cell.

Researchers reported that the drug was seen effectively treating viral infections in mice models, signaling a new broad-spectrum antiviral treatment.

"Because the drug isn't virus-strain specific and boosts the body's own immune response to fight infections, it could be effective for even emergent, unknown viruses and eliminate the lag time required to first identify and sequence the virus genetic material before we can treat it," said Dr Chris Overall who led the research in the press release.

The study has been described in the current issue of the journal Nature Medicine.