See super antibodies against influenza A virus

British Journal of Science on July 28 said scientists in the country, along with Swiss colleagues, have discovered a "super antibody" that can fight all influenza A viruses that cause disease in humans and animals. In fact, it opens up the prospect of making a global flu vaccine.

Scientists have used X-rays to test a large number of human plasma cells.

When identifying rare F16 antibodies, they inject this antibody into mice and mink. The results showed that F16 antibodies help mice and mink avoid the risk of infection of influenza A virus strains belonging to both groups 1 and 2.

Antonio Lanzavecchia, head of the Swiss research team who participated in the study, said that F16 is the first antibody that can resist all known influenza A viruses so it will be a new choice. for flu prevention.

When people are infected with influenza A virus, the antibodies attack the protein causing blood clotting in the virus. However, this protein evolves rapidly, causing influenza A virus to transform into 16 different types, classified into two groups.

This situation forces pharmaceutical companies to change their formula every year to find effective vaccines for each strain of virus, a costly and time-consuming process. Previous studies have found only antibodies that are effective for strains of influenza A virus group 1, or most strains belonging to group 2, not both groups. /