Breakthrough in the fight against HIV

The new antibody blocks 98% of all known strains of the virus

marks, Geektimes

Employees of The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIAID) announced a breakthrough in the fight against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Experts claim that they have discovered a universal antibody in the fight against the virus, capable of blocking 98% of all known strains of the virus. The corresponding statement was posted on the official website of the Institute (NIH Scientists Identify Potential Antibody that Neutralizes Nearly All HIV Strains).

The antibody, which was named N6, effectively neutralizes the virus in a relatively short period of time. "Fighting the virus is not an easy task, because HIV quickly changes the protein envelope in order to protect itself from the immune system's counteraction," the press release says.

The antibody in question was initially detected in a blood sample of an HIV-infected patient. The potential of N6 has now been proven to neutralize 98% of HIV strains, including 16 out of 20 strains initially resistant to the effects of antibodies of a similar type. According to experts, the discovery suggests the possibility of developing a universal means of HIV prevention and treatment.

The researchers say that they have worked with fairly effective antibodies before, but N6 is the most effective defender of the human immune system against HIV. In 2010, for example, the antibody VRC01 was discovered. It was discovered by scientists from one of the divisions of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. As it turned out, VRC01 blocks about 90% of all HIV strains, preventing infection of human body cells. 90% is an excellent result, but 98% is much better, as the authors of the study say.

"Like VRC01, N6 blocks the virus by binding a part of the virus envelope called CD4, which makes it impossible for the virus to attach to protected cells," experts explain.

The new discovery makes it possible not only to treat already infected patients, but also to develop preventive drugs. Scientists are now studying the principle of operation of N6. The research results will be used to create new drugs and search for even more effective antibodies. The Institute's specialists have already managed to track the evolution of N6, getting a general idea of how the protective mechanism works, and how the antibody was able to neutralize 98% of HIV viruses. After completing the study, scientists will create an effective vaccine. In general, the changes in N6, which led to a radical improvement in the protective functions of the antibody, are a subject of study for scientists around the world.

"In general, our research shows that N6 focuses not on the impact on the rapidly changing area of the HIV surface, known as V5, but on other, more stable parts of the virus envelope. This allows N6 to make changes to the virus envelope, including the attachment of sugar molecules to the V5 region," the press release says. And this, in turn, radically reduces the ability of the virus to attach to the cells of an infected organism and multiply. If the effectiveness of the antibody is confirmed by other scientists, the development of new vaccines will follow, as mentioned above, with subsequent clinical trials.

"Due to the strength of its impact, N6 allows us to talk about a much more effective treatment, with a positive effect for a long time. Researchers will be able to inject the vaccine under the skin, rather than using an intravenous method of injecting antibodies. In addition, the capabilities of the antibody allow us to talk about the development of a new strategy for the prevention and control of HIV," the scientists state in their appeal.

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Article by Huang et al. Identification of a CD4-Binding-Site Antibody to HIV that Evolved Near-Pan Neutralization Breadth is published in the journal Immunity – VM.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru  21.11.2016