A gene responsible for initiating immune response could have implications for treatment of chronic infections such as HIV.

The newly discovered Arih2 gene makes decisions about whether to initiate immune response to infection, or switch it off to suppress chronic inflammation or autoimmunity.

Scientists are now investigating how manipulating Arih2 can promote or suppress immune response.

The discovery has implications for treatment of infections such as HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis, and chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and sepsis.