Vaccines and drugs may lose effectiveness with new coronavirus mutations. The discovered universal antibody could change that.
Alabama – While older people are already recommended a fourth corona vaccination, younger people will probably only get theirs in autumn and winter. Then, however, the vaccination doctors do not inject them with the original vaccine, but with an agent adapted to the omicron variant. Because the subtype has changed in such a way that the existing substances are no longer effective. New mutations with immune escape are also problematic for antibody drugs that can help against severe courses.
Apparently, researchers at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, USA, have now gained knowledge that should greatly improve therapy and prevention against and from corona viruses: After months of searching, they discovered antibodies that work against all corona viruses. The scientists published their study results in the journal Plos Pathogens .
Corona antibodies attach to the spike protein
In the study, they examined the blood of people who had recovered from coronavirus and found 17 different antibodies. Four of them apparently neutralized all mutations, including the beta and omicron variants. The “1249A8” antibody in particular caught the researchers’ attention. This targets the spike protein of the coronavirus – similar to other means. Corona viruses can get into human cells with the help of the protein.
In the case of mutations, the protein changes. Special antibodies lose their effectiveness. But there is one spot that has been preserved despite the mutation, where the new antibody attaches. Laboratory tests with mice showed an effect of “1249A8” against all variants of Sars-CoV-2, other beta corona viruses such as Sars-CoV and Mers-CoV and various cold viruses.
Combined with the antibody “1213H7” the effectiveness increased. Tested on hamsters, the preparations strongly neutralize the viral load, as tests by the Californian company Aridis showed. Now she wants to modify the antibodies to prolong the effect.
Corona: New mutations could lead to new pandemics
“With Sars-CoV-2, it is the third time in the last two decades that a beta coronavirus has caused significant mortality in humans,” study author James Kobie writes in the study. In addition, there could be further pandemics with new corona viruses and mutations.
| The universal antibodies work against these corona viruses |
| SARS-CoV-2 |
| beta |
| gamma |
| delta |
| epsilon |
| omicron |
“For these reasons, the search for new therapeutic and prophylactic drugs and vaccine strategies with universal activity against the coronavirus is crucial to protect humanity from the current and future outbreaks or pandemics of the beta coronavirus,” he explains. (tk)
