An antibody that neutralizes the Omicron coronavirus strain has been discovered in China

Humanity did not have time to overcome the most dangerousDelta coronavirus strain, as a new, even more dangerous threat has arisen before humanity - the Omicron strain. As you know, its main feature is a huge number of mutations. As a result, the effectiveness of vaccines was questioned, which did not show 100% protection even before the appearance of the last strain. In addition, as experts note, as a result of mutations, all anti-coronavirus drugs that were previously developed turned out to be ineffective. Moreover, according to some information, the virus escapes the immunity developed as a result of the previously transferred COVID-19 caused by other strains of SARS-CoV-2. This raises the question of how to deal with the new virus? An antibody that neutralizes the virus may help. Moreover, such an antibody has already been found by Chinese microbiologists. It is able to bind to a region of the S-protein that is not susceptible to mutations. According to scientists, this antibody is effective against all strains of coronavirus.

Scientists have discovered an antibody that remains effective against all variants of the coronavirus

Universal Antibody Against Coronavirus

A group of Chinese scientists led by a professorSun Yat-sen University, Deng Kai, in the course of a large-scale study, studied the antibodies of Chinese residents who had previously suffered severe COVID-19. The researchers isolated B-cell cultures from blood samples, which are responsible for the production of antibodies. Then, using a cryoelectron microscope, the researchers observed which parts of the viral particles they were able to attack.

Antibody against coronavirus Omicron and other strains was identified during the study of blood samples from people who have had COVID-19

In the blood of one of the patients, they managed to findan antibody called 35B5. It, as mentioned above, combines with that part of the protein that remains unchanged in all SARS-CoV-2 viruses. More information about it is contained in the research, which can be found in the bioRxiv electronic library.

“The discovered stable region of the S-protein canbe used for more than just making antibodies. Focusing on it, it is possible to create vaccines that will be effective against all variants of the coronavirus, ”the authors of the study say.

The unchanged site is on the RBD receptor,which is responsible for the entry of the virus into the cell. When the 35B5 molecule binds to this site, it neutralizes the receptor. As a result, the virus loses its ability to infect cells. Accordingly, he can no longer reproduce, which leads to his death.

All drugs work according to this principle.antibody-based. However, as a result of constant mutation of the virus, they become ineffective, since they simply cease to recognize that part of the viral particle to which they are able to attach. Accordingly, they can no longer neutralize the virus.

Laboratory tests confirm the effectiveness of 35B5 antibody against all strains of coronavirus

Antibody efficacy against coronavirus

It should be noted that initially the scientists succeededto find two molecules - 35B5 and 32C7, which, even in small concentrations, effectively neutralized the RBD receptor of the first variants of SARS-CoV-2. The scientists then tested both molecules on subsequent strains of the coronavirus, including beta and delta. The 35B5 antibody showed the same effectiveness as while 32C7 could no longer fight these strains.

To further ensure the effectivenessdetected antibodies, scientists conducted experiments on mice. The rodents were infected with different strains of the coronavirus and then the 35B5 antibody was used to treat them. As a result, in all rodents, it prevented lung damage and animal death. The second molecule, as expected, showed much lower efficiency against new strains of coronavirus.

Antibody 32C7 binds to RBD receptor

This efficiency is due to the use inas a “target” of a viral particle, which is the same for all viruses. Including, as the researchers say, it remained unchanged in the new omicron strain. True, scientists have not yet conducted laboratory experiments with a new strain, such as with delta and beta.

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Finally, I note that shortly before the appearanceof the Omicron strain, American scientists reported that they found the SARS2-38 antibody, which also showed high efficiency against all strains existing at that time, including Delta. Back then, scientists also said that the antibody attaches to a mutation-resistant viral particle. However, whether it retained its effectiveness against the new strain is still unknown.