Research on antibodies and their uses. Covers engineered antitoxin antibodies, long-lasting immunity, monoclonal therapies, and antiviral T cells.
Researchers at the Rosalind Franklin Institute have developed nanobodies from llama antibodies that can effectively target SARS-CoV-2 virus. These nanobodies were able to significantly reduce signs of COVID-19 disease in infected animal models and show promise as a new treatment option.
Researchers identify structure and interaction between HCV E2 protein and CD81 receptor, revealing acidic conditions enhance binding and facilitate cell entry. This discovery provides new leads for developing an HCV vaccine by targeting specific antibodies against the virus.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that antibodies from people infected with the original COVID-19 strain do not effectively bind to newer variants. This has implications for vaccine efficacy and the design of possible boosters.
Researchers investigated antibody response to Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in 117 allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. The study aimed to assess vaccine safety and immune response in this population. Key findings were not reported in the article.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that B cells choose between cell fates to balance acute and memory responses. This understanding could optimize vaccines against viruses or other pathogens.
A Michigan Medicine study found that most patients with mild COVID-19 infections produce antibodies that persist and protect them from reinfection for up to six months. Nearly 90% of participants produced spike and nucleocapsid antibody responses, and all but one had persistent antibody levels at follow-up.
A new study published in Science identifies a specific molecule, C1q, that plays a key role in the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury. The researchers found that an antibody treatment could prevent the development of negative outcomes such as sleep disruption and inflammation.
A new study found that people hospitalized with COVID-19 have elevated levels of autoimmune antibodies in their blood, which are strongly linked to disease severity. Patients with high levels of these autoantibodies were five to seven times more likely to develop severe disease than those with stable antibody levels.
A Tohoku University research group discovered that Peyer's patches and specific bacteria facilitate the transfer of maternal IgA to breastmilk, boosting newborn immunity. This finding has significant implications for developing probiotics to improve breastfeeding quality.
Researchers have created a new technology to enhance therapeutic antibodies' ability to attack blood cancer cells by leveraging the human immune system. This approach combines IgM and IgG antibodies, resulting in a single molecule with increased complement activation.
The Delta variant's ability to evade neutralizing antibodies and its increased infectivity have contributed to its spread, making vaccination and infection control crucial in the post-vaccination era. The variant was found to be more efficient at replicating and spreading than other variants, giving it a selection advantage.
Researchers compared antibody responses in adults receiving Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. The study found differences in antibody responses among young and older adults. Younger recipients showed higher antibody levels after vaccination.
A new study from the University of Virginia Health System found that Moderna's vaccine produced higher antibody levels than Pfizer's, especially in older subjects. The researchers caution that measuring antibody levels does not necessarily predict vaccine effectiveness.
The study found SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in 44% of blood donors aged 16 to 64 in Kenya. The results suggest that the virus may have circulated in the country before widespread reporting began.
A study published in the American Journal of Transplantation found that Covid-19 vaccines stimulate different immune responses in organ transplant patients. While antibody tests alone are insufficient, combining vaccines with T cell analyses provides better protection.
A study found that people who form antibodies against the folded receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein are protected from infection. However, 20% of those who recovered from Covid-19 fail to develop these antibodies.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found that COVID-19 vaccination elicited a response in nearly nine out of ten people with weakened immune systems. However, the responses were only about one-third as strong as those mounted by healthy people. Despite this, the discovery is encouraging news for a population at hig...
Research from the University of Florida found that COVID-19 vaccination significantly increases antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in breast milk, providing passive immunity to newborns. The study suggests that vaccinated mothers can help protect their babies from COVID-19 illness.
A Rutgers study found that people with severe or prolonged COVID-19 have higher antibody levels against the virus. The study of 831 participants showed that immune responses vary by symptom severity, with those having persistent symptoms producing more antibodies.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have identified two antibodies that protect animals from disease caused by alphaviruses, which could form the basis of treatments or serve as a template for a universal vaccine. The antibodies worked against all tested alphaviruses and prevented arthritis and brain infections in animals.
Researchers at Rice and Baylor are expanding their efforts to halt bone cancer metastasis using a molecule targeting osteoporosis and HER2 protein. Their goal is to improve drug concentration at tumor sites, inhibit secondary metastasis, and explore the therapeutic effect mechanism.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have identified two separate genetic alterations that enable triple-negative breast cancer cells to develop resistance to a highly effective drug. The findings could help improve therapy and prolong survival for patients with this aggressive form of breast cancer.
A study found that mRNA vaccine recipients with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection experienced more severe symptoms after vaccination. The study suggests vaccine type may influence symptom severity in individuals with a history of COVID-19 infection.
Scientists have repurposed CRISPR to identify antibodies in patient blood samples, demonstrating a new class of medical diagnostics. The technique uses customizable proteins attached to Cas9, which assemble on a microchip to bind to specific DNA sequences, allowing for fast and accurate detection.
This observational study evaluates the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in breast milk of lactating women who received mRNA vaccines. The findings suggest a correlation between serum antibody levels and breast milk antibody concentrations.
Researchers found shared clones of antibody-producing white blood cells among COVID-19 survivors and vaccinated individuals, targeting the viral surface 'spike' protein. This discovery could help design more effective vaccines and therapies against emerging variants.
Researchers found that a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, especially in those with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, dramatically increased virus variant neutralising antibody responses. This additional boost increases potential protection against existing and future variants of concern.
Researchers evaluated antibody levels after Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in previously infected and uninfected individuals, finding a significant increase in SARS-CoV-2 spike immunoglobin G antibodies. The study suggests the vaccine effectively boosts immunity in those who have already been infected.
A study found that SARS-CoV-2 antibodies remained stable or increased in healthcare workers seven months after infection, indicating potential protection from pre-existing antibodies against common cold coronaviruses. The results suggest that individuals with higher levels of anti-HCoV IgG and IgA had lower susceptibility to COVID-19.
A recent study published in Transplant Infectious Disease found that COVID-19 vaccination provides strong protection against the virus for solid organ transplant recipients, with an almost 80% reduction in symptomatic cases. The study examined data from over 2,150 transplant patients and showed that nearly 70% of vaccinated patients re...
Researchers identified two proteins, HMW1 and HMW2, that stimulate protective immunity against diverse NTHi strains. Immunization with these proteins provides protection against bacterial colonization by other strains, highlighting the vaccine potential for a nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae vaccine.
Researchers analyzed patient specimens and clinical trial data from thousands of patients to assess the importance of immune cell molecules called Fc gamma receptors (FCGRs) in the therapeutic efficacy of two antibody drugs. High levels of FCGR2B on tumor cells were found to prevent rituximab efficacy, while obinutuzumab was not impact...
Göttingen researchers have developed mini-antibodies that efficiently block the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and its new variants. The nanobodies bind and neutralize the virus with extreme stability, making them promising agents to treat COVID-19.
A study found that antibodies produced to fight Covid-19 can trigger platelet activity, leading to fatal blood clots. Researchers developed a lab-based test to replicate this process, and suggest that existing medications may be able to inhibit platelet response.
Researchers developed a novel exosome-based treatment to deliver VEGF antibodies and suppress inflammation in ocular diseases. The therapy, rEXS-cL-aV, showed potent therapeutic efficacy in murine and nonhuman primate models.
Researchers have created an 'atlas' charting how antibodies attack the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, identifying broadly responsive neutralizers and regions resistant to attack. The study highlights the importance of studying antibody responses for developing effective COVID-19 booster vaccines.
Researchers found that older people have lower antibody responses against COVID-19 variants, making them more susceptible to infection. Vaccination still appears effective in preventing severe illness, but promoting vaccinations is crucial to protect the community.
A rapid method to quantify antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 has been developed by scientists at Hokkaido University. The test is highly accurate, quick, and easy to perform, requiring only 20 minutes to complete.
Research suggests that fungi in the healthy gut can have a beneficial effect on health, while invasive forms may contribute to inflammatory bowel disease. Vaccines targeting specific proteins may help restore balance to the microbiome.
Researchers found that vaccination significantly increases neutralizing antibodies in saliva, reducing transmission risk. The study also shows the importance of receiving a second vaccine dose for maximum protection against evolving virus strains.
A new study reveals CoronaVac vaccine antibodies are less effective against the P.1 Brazil variant, raising concerns about vaccination program effectiveness and potential reinfection of previously infected individuals.
Researchers discovered the molecular mechanism behind vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), a rare but fatal blood clotting disorder. The findings will enable the development of rapid diagnostic tests and new strategies to prevent VITT, making vaccines safer.
Australian scientists found that COVID-19 survivors produced sustained antibodies but they were less effective against contemporary variants. The study suggests vaccination is more effective than the body's natural response and highlights the need for new vaccine designs to keep pace with emerging variants.
Researchers found that vaccines produced in chicken eggs induce an antibody response against a glycan called N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), which is not typically targeted by the immune system. This unexpected finding may impact the effectiveness of flu vaccines grown in eggs.
A study with healthcare workers found that most individuals retain anti-Spike antibodies for at least one year after infection, suggesting a long-lasting immune response. Vaccine-generated immunity is also expected to be long-lasting, according to the research.
A new Finnish study found that healthcare workers who received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had strong antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2, with similar effectiveness against the alpha variant as the original virus. The immune response was weaker against the beta variant, but still provided relatively good protection.
Immunologists at McMaster University have identified a 'spider web' mechanism that traps pathogens like influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in neutrophils, creating a sticky tangle to kill viruses. This discovery could lead to new aerosol and nasal spray vaccine technologies to prevent infections before they spread.
Researchers at Tel-Aviv University have developed a targeted delivery system for RNA-based drugs that selectively targets diseased cells without harming healthy ones. The breakthrough has potential implications for various diseases, including blood cancers and inflammatory conditions.
A Duke-led team identified how multiple mutations on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein create variants that are more transmissible and resistant to antibodies. The researchers found that different variant spikes use distinct mechanisms to achieve this, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current vaccines.
Researchers identified six antibody characteristics that protect pregnant women from placental malaria infections, which could be used to identify women at risk and develop new therapies. The study found that these antibodies help prevent malaria parasites from binding to placental cells and destroying infected blood cells.
A new tablet-sized device can detect multiple COVID-19 antibodies and biomarkers simultaneously, distinguishing between SARS-CoV-2 and four other coronaviruses with 100% accuracy. The test also shows promise in predicting COVID-19 case severity and immunity against variants.
Researchers at TUM created a low-cost, automated rapid test for detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with high sensitivity and specificity. The test can determine antibody concentrations and has the potential to answer questions about corona immunity, vaccinations, and disease progression.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health have developed an antibody therapy that rescues mice from a lethal muscle-weakening disease by targeting another protein in the same signaling pathway. The treatment reverses disease relapse in adult mice, offering new hope for humans with congenital myasthenia.
A new study suggests that people who had COVID-19 need only one vaccine dose for protection and that boosters could be necessary for everyone in the future. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines triggered antibody levels similar to those seen after mild COVID-19 infections with one dose.
An analysis of antibodies from over 8,000 undiagnosed adults found that nearly 5% of the US population harbored SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The highest positivity rates were among African Americans and young urban dwellers.
Researchers developed two groups of molecules that effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 variants, bypassing mutations and disabling viral entry. The nanobodies recognize a conserved region of the receptor binding domain, blocking viral entry even when human antibodies cannot.
A new study published in Cell journal suggests that COVID-19 antibodies lack the ability to enhance disease in animals. The research used mice and monkeys to test human antibodies, finding that they exert their defensive powers against SARS-CoV-2 infection, not exacerbating it.
Researchers analyzed 24,000 blood samples and multiple antibody testing platforms to discover SARS-CoV-2 infections in five states earlier than reported. The findings expand on previous studies suggesting the virus was present in the US as early as December 2019.
A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine significantly increased antibody levels in organ transplant recipients who had a suboptimal response to standard vaccination. The study found that booster doses may be necessary for these patients, similar to hepatitis B and influenza vaccinations.
Researchers found that a third vaccine dose increased antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 in transplant recipients more than the standard two-dose regimen. The study suggests booster doses should be investigated for those who are immunocompromised to determine if they can receive COVID-19 vaccines as standard clinical practice.