Flames could be key to a more effective flu vaccine – 11/02/2018



[ad_1]

An international group of scientists has succeeded in producing a new antibody based on the immune system of llamas, with which they hope to develop a vaccine that acts against all types of influenza according to a study published Friday. magazine Science .

By combining antibodies from llamas and humans, the researchers were able to generate a vaccine providing long-lasting protection against two strains of influenza A and B . The experiment has been successfully tested in mice infected with lethal doses of the influenza virus.

Based on the immune system of the flames, scientists were able to cure mice and hope that these results open up a new opportunity to find a vaccine for humans.

The research was led by Nick Laursen of the Research Institute. Scripps in La Jolla (California, USA) and according to the results published in the latest edition of Science the vaccine developed could have prevented the infection of several strains of the disease. 39, influenza .

But what excited the researchers most was that they managed to protect elderly and immunodeficient mice infected with high doses of the H1N1 strain, better known as "Influenza A ". ]

According to the results published in Science the research work focused on the development of a "multidomain" antibody, that is, it simultaneously offers protection against different types of flu.

The experiment directly attacked hemagglutinin, a protein in the outer layer of the virus, which eventually adhered to the cells of the respiratory system.

The researchers decided to resort to the you like the peculiarities of your immune system, which allow you to manipulate the antibodies more easily because are much smaller than those of humans and allow access to more distant places .

Although scientists have pointed out It is too early to determine whether these achievements are applicable in humans. They noted that opens the door in search of a vaccine against the flu whose virus is one of the most difficult to attack because of the number of strains that has and its mutation keep on going.

The antibody they developed, the MD3606, could primarily be used to protect the most vulnerable populations, such as people over 65 .

"The rapid emergence of protection, as well as the unprecedented cross-reactivity of MD3606 (the developed antibody) to avian influenza strains, also offers the possibility of using this approach at the same time. Prophylactic Title .According to the study, "immediately after the onset of a pandemic influenza that offers considerable advantages over vaccination."

Maria Limberis, renowned specialist from the University of Pennsylvania (United States), also participated in this study United

Source: Telam

[ad_2]
Source link