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An antibody that appears to block infection by all dominant variants of the virus that causes COVID-19, including Omicron, has been discovered by a team of researchers in the US.
The finding could result in novel antibody-based therapies and more effective immunisations. Dr Patrick Wilson, the senior author of a study that was published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, together with his colleagues from Weill Cornell Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, evaluated antibodies made from patient blood samples against several strains of the pandemic virus.
One of these proteins, designated S728-1157, proved to be quite successful in neutralising seven different subtypes of Omicron in addition to earlier forms. Researchers from the University of Chicago and Scripps Research were also included in the team.
Dr Wilson said, while the epidemic is coming to an end, the virus will persist for a while. Uncontrolled, it might lead to yearly outbreaks. This antibody and the knowledge it offers might help us prevent yearly COVID-19 spikes or if there is another coronavirus epidemic, the author writes. Dr Wilson’s team examined antibody-producing cells to identify those that were attracted to the spike protein that the virus utilises to enter human cells.
Dr Siriruk Changrob, the author of different research, examined the antibodies discovered against 12 SARS-CoV-2 variations, including the original strain of the virus. One particular antibody, designated S728-1157, stood out for its capacity to obstruct Omicron. Their results suggest that S728-1157 could become the basis for a much-needed alternative to conventional antibody-based treatments. The research could also guide the design of new vaccines that rely on the spike protein to stimulate the production of antibodies, said the study
