They are developing molecules that fight the flu virus – Medical News

Influenza viruses are a global public health threat and a persistent problem due to their high zoonotic potential. The H1N1 influenza virus caused a pandemic in 2009 and continues to this day with seasonal outbreaks. It currently accounts for 80% of influenza-related hospitalizations in Argentina, highlighting the need for additional tools to prevent and treat these diseases in addition to vaccination.

As a result of interdisciplinary work, the Viral Biotechnology Group of the Institute of Biochemical Research of Bahia Blanca (INIBIBB, CONICET-UNS), led by a CONICET researcher Mariana Puntelachievement to develop and characterize a series of ten molecules from a llama vaccinated against influenza. The authors suggest that The isolated genes could be inoculated into humans to combat various H1N1 influenza viruses. The news was published in the magazine PLOS ONE.

“This study offers a number of promising therapeutic candidates to combat H1N1 influenza virus infections and to develop innovative technologies for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases,” Puntel emphasizes. The work was developed in close collaboration with the INCUINTA group, linked to the Institute of Virology and Technological Innovation (IVIT, CONICET-INTA), led by CONICET researcher Viviana Parreño.

During the investigation, scientists managed to To characterize monoclonal nanoantibodies that were effective in preventing infection with H1N1 influenza viruses. In particular, they identified four therapeutic nanoantibodies Genetically engineered from heavy chain immunoglobulins present in llamas and other camelids, each of which has different abilities to bind and neutralize different regions of influenza viruses, allowing them to provide broad protection against this pathogen.