Detects antibodies against many types of flu

A new study, published in the journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, says scientists have discovered antibodies that may help fight deadly flu, including bird flu. H5N1.

The study, funded by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Allergies (NIAID), and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), by scientists at the Dana Cancer Institute -Farber in Boston, Massachusetts, Burnham Medical Research Institute in La Jolla, together with CDC.

In billions of monoclonal antibodies, scientists discovered a lot of antibodies that could fight the most dangerous types of flu. Antibodies limit the activity of the influenza virus and prevent it from being converted into other forms to cause infection in laboratory rats.

H5N1 virus

Although not yet tested on human bodies, scientists have been very optimistic about using antibodies to protect people from many types of flu. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to fight substances harmful to humans.

Robert Liddington, director of the Burnham Institute for Infectious Diseases Program, said: "We have collaborated to isolate and describe a new line of antibodies. We were surprised and delighted to discover. that these antibodies neutralize most of the other flu viruses, including most regular and seasonal flu ".

Dr. Ruben Donis, a scientist from the CDC's influenza research division, said that these antibodies are very capable and pave the way for developing a generation of different vaccines.

Seasonal flu causes the deaths of more than 25,000 people worldwide. More dangerous strains, such as the H5N1 bird flu, have killed millions of poultry in many countries. More than 400 people have contracted H5N1 bird flu since 1997 and the death rate is 65%.

Wayne Marasco, a scientist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, said the next step is to test ferrets on ferrets and then develop a suitable type for human clinical trials. as early as 2011-2012.

However, if the antibodies are tested safely and effectively, it will take a few more years to develop and form licensed products.