UTRECHT: Scientists have discovered an antibody that prevents the invasion of novel coronavirus into human cells and offers hope of a treatment for the deadly disease.
Scientists from Dutch institutions Utrecht University, Erasmus Medical Center, and Harbour BioMed made the discovery, which was made public in a study published in the scientific journal Nature Communications.
According to the study, the ‘neutralising monoclonal antibody’ known as ‘47D11’ has been found to prevent SARS-CoV-2 from entering cultured cells.
The study also informed that the antibody targets the novel coronavirus that caused the 2003 SARS outbreak, known as SARS-CoV-1.
However, scientists claimed that it can also neutralise SARS-CoV-2, which is from the same family of coronaviruses as SARS-CoV-1.
Tests conducted in various mice cells reveal that 47D11 binds to this protein and prevents it from hooking on – effectively neutralising it.
Dr. Frank Grosveld, the study’s co-lead author has informed that 47D11’s ‘fully human’ make-up has a range of benefits in the creation of a COVID-19 treatment.
He further said, “Such a neutralising antibody has the potential to alter the course of infection in the infected host, support virus clearance, or protect an uninfected individual that is exposed to the virus.”
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