Hebrew University antibody research paves the way for new, more effective influenza drugs

Annual epidemics of seasonal influenza lead to between 250,000 and 500,000 deaths worldwide. It is known that natural killer (NK) cells that belong to the body’s innate immune system can eliminate influenza virus-infected cells. This is made possible via by one of the major NK killing receptors, NKp46, that recognizes influenza virus expressed on the infected cells. But influenza viruses have an evasion mechanism that is mediated by the neuraminidase (NA) protein, which counterattacks NKp46 recognition of infected cells and reduces its ability to eliminate them. Yotam Bar-On, a Hebrew University Ph.D. candidate in immunology and cancer research, has shown for the first time, that NA inhibitors, already commonly used to treat influenza infections, enhance the NKp46-mediated killing of infected cells. Through further research into peptide components of the NA protein, Bar-On was able to develop antibodies that can to bind the NA, in effect “tying them up” and taking them out of action. The research could pave the way for more effective drugs to combat influenza infection.

Fuente : http://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=1...