The discovery of the antibodies is the result of a systematic search. The group led by Wayne Maraca of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston has 27 million different antibodies, which they use bacteria phage libraries has generated, on their ability to investigate in the Hem agglutinin (HA) protein of different influenza viruses to bind.

You ten antibodies, which were in a position of which in three stronger neutralizing effect had. This means that you showed in a laboratory experiment to bind to the virus. In animal experiments later survived up to 80 percent of the mice an otherwise lethal infection with the H5N1 bird flu strain or the strain H1N1, the cause of the Spanish flu.

Interestingly, the exact binding site of antibody: The HA protein protrudes from the surface of flu viruses out. Below redness foreigner a tip – it docks with the virus to human cells – has the HA protein has a narrow neck.

This structure is characterized by a high degree of constancy from: Among the some 6,000 known gene sequences of the HA protein, all 16 sub-types, there were hardly any differences. This was a surprise, since flu viruses otherwise genetically very variable. The head of the HA protein constantly changing its structure, with the result that the flu vaccine (almost) every year must be renewed.

That it is precisely in this protein a “conserved” region, a section of the evolution remains constant, if is because the results proved to be preserved as a fluke. Monoclonal antibodies can be present in unlimited quantities to produce a reliable and effective drug would certainly be a welcome addition to the neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir and zanamivir, whose effect is limited and their wider use, as the experience of recent years show a rapid rise in resistance is connected.

The reaction of other researchers was still restrained. Some pointed to the high doses, which in the animal experiments were used, and said extremely high cost of medication for a future ahead. Others doubted that the antibodies can be reliably effective.

Indeed, attacking the new antibody in the H5 strain of the dangerous bird flu (H5N1) to. Even against the H1-seasonal flu strains of many pathogens if they were active. There remain but a sensitive issue with the H3 and B strains of influenza. Among other tasks of the research is therefore to search for antibodies against the H3 and B variants of the DB-protein would be effective.

Finally, it remains to be seen whether the current discovery actually contributes to the development of a new flu drug will lead to the outside of the laboratory and in humans show an effect.