A molecule the body produces naturally in response to virus infection could be a viable flu treatment in the future, suggest researchers at the Francis Crick Institute in London.
Their study in mice has found that the antiviral, called interferon lambda (IFN?), can control flu infection without sparking further inflammation.
The team, led by Dr Andreas Wack at the Crick, tested interferon lambda and a second interferon called alpha (IFNa) in mice to explore their potential as therapies for the influenza A virus.
