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Antibodies have been found that can defeat all types of flu
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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A team of scientists from the Scripps Institute and Sea Lane Biotechnologies have discovered a new component for vaccines that could improve the effectiveness of drugs against common types of flu, including subtypes H2, H1 (swine flu), H9 and H3.
A team of researchers examined bone marrow samples from people who had recovered from a particular strain of influenza.
Bone marrow contains information about all antibodies ever produced by the body. The experts were sure that they would find the antibodies that they were interested in, and they were right. They found billions of antibodies, which they called the "flu library."
Using a screening method, scientists were able to isolate a previously unknown antibody that can bind to proteins of various types of influenza type A, the most dangerous type of influenza virus. This antibody was named C05.
The identified antibody successfully protected cells from the "attacks" of flu viruses. The experiments were conducted both in laboratory conditions and in experiments with mice. If previously the infection of rodents with the A type virus resulted in a fatal outcome, then under the protection of the antibody all mice successfully recovered.
The researchers also noticed another feature of C05: in addition to the fact that the antibody neutralized a wide range of flu viruses, it was able to block the “receptor binding site” (RBS) - the part of the flu virus that helps it attach to human cells.
The so-called binding site is the main part of the flu virus that influences the immune system, making it an ideal target for C05.
"This discovery opens up exciting prospects for the development of new vaccines and therapies," said Ian Wilson, professor of structural biology.
To "deal" with the enemy virus, the antibody uses two hand-like structures, each with six protein loops and fingers. The grip is not limited to the binding receptor. The structures surrounding the "head" of the virus (they distinguish one flu strain from another) are also attacked.
"If we can figure out how to use this type of antibody in flu vaccines, we'll have a very effective drug," says Sea Lane Biotechnologies CEO Lorenz Horowitz.
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