新型抗禽流感药物,动物实验,H5N1禽流感病毒 z-bo 2020-09-18 316

　　The H5N1 avian influenza virus, which is becoming more and more known, has killed millions of chickens and ducks. At present, more than 650 people have been infected, with a mortality rate of 60%. Fortunately, the virus has not spread from person to person, but a small number of genetic mutations may disrupt this balance and lead to epidemics.

　　An investigative team at the St. Jude Children’s Research Institute at Stanford University Medical Center has developed an antibody that has been shown to be 100% capable of preventing two viruses in animal models. The research was published in the "Journal of Virology" published by the American Society for Microbiology.

　　Antiviral drugs used to be a protective drug, but they are also helpless against the increasing mutations of the virus, and taking antiviral drugs can lead to drug resistance. "We have seen the H5N1 virus before," Richard Webby said. "There is an urgent need for a vaccine to treat avian influenza. The vaccine may not appear until at least six months after the avian influenza outbreak. In addition, the vaccine may affect the elderly and immune function. Incomplete people are invalid."

　　Researchers have turned their target to antibodies. Antibodies can target viral antigens and open a specific lock like a special key to make the virus lose its pathogenicity. However, genetic mutations can render antibodies ineffective. "Our solution is to create a dual-specific antibody by combining two different antibodies. These two different antibodies attach to the H5N1 virus and enter the single antibody molecule." Webby said. The new drug is called FcDART, which is a fusion protein and a dual affinity molecule.

　　Single use of low-dose FcDART can completely protect influenza animal models from the deadly avian influenza virus H5N1. "For example, to prevent medical staff from being infected, you can take this dose of FcDART the day before the virus is infected, or you can take this dose of medicine within three days after infection," Webby said.

　　"The results obtained by the experimental model can approximate what will happen to humans," Mark Zanin (postdoctoral researcher in Webby Lab) said. "We have seen that this drug can completely protect ferrets from viruses. Mink has been used as a model for human influenza for a long time, so we are very confident of this result."