Antibodies found by scientists to block cell infection with coronavirus

Scientists have identified the antibody in the lab Coronavirus From infected cells. The team hopes that the antibody will be used to create treatment for COVID-19, a disease caused by the virus.

Since the beginning of the coronavirus infection in Wuhan in central China at the end of last year, more than 3.5 million people COVID-19, more than 1 million people recovered, almost 248,000 died, According to Johns Hopkins University.

The team whose research was published in the journal Natural communication, Has investigated whether what is known as a monoclonal antibody can help patients with COVID-19. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific cure for this disease. A monoclonal antibody is a type of protein created in the laboratory that can bind to a specific substance in the body. These types of antibodies mimic how the immune system responds to threats and are used to treat certain types of cancer.

An antibody named 47D11 was found to bind a new coronavirus known as SARS to spike proteinsCoV-2, used to enter the body and block it in a way that neutralizes pathogens.

To conduct their study, researchers used mice with finely tuned biology to produce antibodies similar to those found in humans. They injected animals with spike proteins, the virus that causes SARS, MERS, And some types of common colds invade cells. These viruses are Coronavirus Family of pathogens containing SARS-CoV-2, cause bug COVID-19. Mice produced 51 antibodies that can neutralize injected spike proteins Coronavirus. This stage of research is SARS-CoV-2 caught the attention of health officials in late 2019.

The team later watched whether the antibody neutralized SARS.CoV-2 and SARS-CoV In the lab Turns out the sample, and what 47D11 did.

Co-author Belem-Yanbosch, Associate Professor of Infection and Immunity at Utrecht University programIn a statement, the study said it was based on work previously done by his team on antibodies that could target SARS.CoV, A virus that causes SARS.

“Using this collection of SARSCoV Antibodies, we also identified antibodies that neutralize SARS- infectionCoV-2[[the[[theCOVID-19 virus]In cultured cells. Such neutralizing antibodies may alter the path of infection in infected hosts, assist in the removal of the virus, and protect non-infected individuals exposed to the virus. “

Frank co-author Grosveld“The Academy of Cell Biology at the Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam,” said: COVID-19 treatment. “

Experts not involved in the survey welcomed the findings, but also pointed out the limitations of the survey.

In a statement, Tonyker, a professor of molecular genetics at the Center for Genome Damage and Stability (GDSC) at the University of Sussex, said: “The block against infectivity is based entirely on cell culture studies, but in the previous literature reagents should be considered further as potential therapeutics.”

Pennyward, a visiting professor of pharmacy at King’s College in London, said the antibody could be used to prevent and treat SARS-CoV-2 infections. The approach may be the most efficient. “

The results would have been more powerful if the team could show that the antibody could prevent and treat COVID19 in animals, she said.

“It is impossible to conclude that this product is effective. In vivo “Human”.

Polly Roy, a virology professor at the School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in London, said the data the team produced was “very good,” emphasizing what is well known in their work. Coronavirus.

Gary McLean, professor of molecular immunology at London Metropolitan University, said: “As long as we know there are restrictions, humans don’t see antibodies, nor do they.” Biotherapy Can be used for treatment COVID-19.