The MERS virus (MERS CoV - Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) is continuously spreading and, to date, no vaccine or antiviral treatment exists against this severe disease with a mortality rate of more than 40 percent. But, in future, this may change because US scientists have identified human antibodies that are able to neutralise MERS-CoV. The study was presented in "PNAS".
By using a "library" of more than 27 billion human antibodies, researchers at the Dana-Faber Cancer Institute in Boston and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found seven neutralising antibodies that prevent a MERS infection. Specifically, these antibodies prevent the surface proteins of the virus from binding to the DPP4 receptors of cells in human airways.
The antibody 3811 was selected as the prime candidate for further research and was produced in sufficient quantities to be used for testing in non-human primates and mice. However, according to the scientists, these studies have been delayed because no good MERS animal model has yet been developed.
"The panel of neutralising antibodies offers the possibility of developing human monoclonal antibody-based immunotherapy, especially for health care workers", write the authors and add that this treatment could be administered by injections, which provide protection against MERS for about three weeks.
Univadis
