Researchers at Vanderbilt University and the National University of Singapore have identified the structure of an antibody that could potentially be a treatment for dengue virus, according to Brentwood Home Page.
Here are seven facts:
1. Researchers determine the structure of a human antibody that strongly neutralizes a type of dengue virus.
2. The finding could result in the first effective therapies and vaccines against dengue virus.
3. Dengue virus infects approximately 390 million people each year.
4. Dengue has four serotypes distinguished by different antigens, posing a challenge to develop antibodies to fight the virus. The antibodies generated against one serotype do not protect against the other serotypes.
5. The antibody for one serotype may enhance infection by another serotype, increasing the risk for dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome.
6. The antibody researchers identified is able to lock across an array of envelope protein, which prevented the virus from fusing to its target cell.
7. The antibody additionally blocked the binding of the other class of antibodies that would otherwise enhance infection.
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