Two notorious sports rivals, Duke University and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have teamed up to discover a potentially valuable antibody against coronaviruses (Science Translational Medicine, Nov. 2, 2021). Please note the plural of coronavirus! This antibody appears to work against both SARS-CoV-1 as well as SARS-CoV-2. In fact, this antibody may work against a whole range of coronaviruses.
Why is an Antibody Against Coronaviruses Important?
The first epidemic involving a SARS virus emerged in 2003. There were 8,000 documented infections and roughly 800 deaths. It was worrisome, but never turned into a pandemic.
SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19. Because the new antibody binds to a unique location on the virus, it might work to prevent or treat current COVID infections.
The Problem:
The authors of this landmark study cut right to the chase:
“The emergence of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 in the last two decades underscores a critical need to develop broadly effective countermeasures against sarbecoviruses. Moreover, with the recent emergence of the more transmissible, modestly more virulent B.1.1.7 variant (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), B.1.1.28 (Gamma), and the highly transmissible B.1.617.2 variant (Delta), all of which can partially evade existing countermeasures, there is a need to develop next-generation mAb [monoclonal antibody] therapeutics that can broadly neutralize these variants, as well as future variants of concern.”
The scientists believe that this new antibody could neutralize several other coronaviruses. There is even the possibility that this research could eventually lead to a universal, variant-proof coronavirus vaccine. That would be a game changer!
