4 ms·
The problem is to find an antibody that defeats just corona and not other cells, like nerves and other stuff you need
by xchip 6y ago
The problem is to find an antibody that defeats just corona and not other cells, like nerves and other stuff you need
- a_t48 6y ago> The antibody known as 47D11 targets the spike protein that gives the new coronavirus a crown-like shape and lets it enter human cells. In the Utrecht experiments, it didn’t just defeat the virus responsible for Covid-19 but also a cousin equipped with similar spike proteins, which causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. > Monoclonal antibodies are lab-created proteins that resemble naturally occurring versions the body raises to fight off bacteria and viruses. Highly potent, they target exactly one site on a virus. In this case, the scientists used genetically modified mice to produce different antibodies to the spike proteins of coronaviruses. After a subsequent screening process, 47D11 emerged as showing neutralizing activity. Researchers then reformatted that antibody to create a fully human version, according to the paper. I don't have any biology background - are you saying this targeting might not work?
- dogma1138 6y agoThey are saying that targeting can be not exclusive for example an antibody that targets the spikes might also bind with the receptors they connect too. Then there is the question of https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibody-dependent_enhancement https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibody-dependent_enhanceme...
- pazimzadeh 6y agoThe antibody recognizes a particular 3D shape on the virus, called an epitope. There is a chance that a similar shape exists in humans, and using this antibody would cause your immune system to attack itself. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_mimicry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_mimicry
- zxv 6y agoThe antibody fits the spike protein like a lock and key. They key might fit other locks in humans with varying degrees of fit, on other cells in the body. There are two such lock-and-keys on the antibody, the other key fits the immune system cells, that start a cascade that amplifies the immune response. Even if it is a weak fit for an unintended target, the response can be an issue.
- greglindahl 6y agoThe reason we carefully test things that work in a petri dish is that some of them harm people, and many others don't work in people.
- prox 6y agoI once saw a good talk that mentioned that -any- drug has a chance to be adversial. Drugs that work on most people might make another sick. This is indeed why there is so much testing and careful indexing side effects.
- mr_toad 6y agoThe bigger problem is usually the immune system deciding that the antibody itself is a foreign body, and attacking it. The biggest problem though, is cost. If you don’t have insurance, you may have to add a second mortgage to your house.
- asdff 6y agoFrom the first figure, this one is highly specific to SARS-COV with like no off target effects from looking at the negative control.