Existing Antibodies May Protect Some People from the New Coronavirus: Research-Health

Scientists have also found that some antibodies produced by the immune system during a common cold coronavirus infection, COVID-19 It can cause SARS-CoV-2 and provide some protection against new viruses.

Researchers, including researchers at the Francis Crick Institute in the United Kingdom, explained that in response to a viral infection, it helps the immune system produce antibodies and fight them, which remain in the blood for a period of time to prevent reinfection. did.

In a new study published in a scientific journal, scientists found that some people, especially children, respond to the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in their blood, even though they have never been infected with the virus. I discovered that I have an antibody.

They said these antibodies cause the common cold and are likely the result of exposure to other coronaviruses that are structurally similar to SARS-CoV-2.

A researcher-developed Covid-19 high-sensitivity antibody test was used to compare the blood of patients with a new coronavirus infection to those who were not ill. Scientists have found that some people who are not exposed to SARS-CoV-2 have antibodies in their blood that recognize the virus. To confirm their findings, they analyzed more than 300 blood samples collected before the pandemic between 2011 and 2018.

Almost all samples contained antibodies that react with the common cold coronavirus. It was expected that at some point in life everyone would consider how they were exposed to these viruses. However, a small proportion of adult donors (about 1 in 20) also have antibodies that cross-react with SARS-CoV-2, which was not dependent on recent infections with the common cold coronavirus. Stated.

According to researchers, such cross-reactive antibodies were found much more frequently in blood samples taken from children aged 6 to 16 years.

“Our results show that children are much more likely to have these cross-reactive antibodies than adults,” said Kevinn, lead author of a study at the Francis Crick Institute in the United Kingdom. Says. “Further research is needed to understand why this is, but it may depend on children being exposed to other coronaviruses more regularly,” he added.

Scientists believe that these higher levels seen in children may explain why they are less likely to be severely ill with Covid-19. In the lab, scientists tested antibodies found in the blood of uninfected people and found that they could neutralize SARS-CoV-2. They found that cross-reactive antibodies target the S2 subunit of the spike protein on the surface of the virus and use it to invade host cells.

“The S1 subunit latches viruses into cells and is relatively diverse among coronaviruses, while the S2 subunit allows viruses to enter cells and is more similar between these viruses,” said Francis Crick Institute. George Casiotis, a senior author of the study, explained. ..

“Our study shows that the S2 subunit is sufficiently similar between the common cold coronavirus and SARS-CoV-2, and that some antibodies work against both.” Said Kassiotis.

Previous studies have suggested that only antibodies to S1 can block the infection, but researchers say that some antibodies to S2 “may be just as effective” now. There is “good evidence of”. “Understanding the basis of this activity can lead to vaccines that act against a variety of coronaviruses, including common cold strains, SARS-CoV-2, and future pandemic strains. Is exciting, “says Casiotis.

However, scientists said some questions from the study remained unanswered and further research was needed. “For example, how does immunity to one coronavirus change with exposure to another coronavirus? Or why does this activity decline with age? A person who recently caught a cold Covid- You should not consider 19 to be immune, “Kassiotis added.

(This story was published from the news agency feed without changing the text. Only the headline has changed.)

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