Influenza, an ancient disease that has plagued mankind for hundreds of years, still infects and even kills millions of people every year. Although we already have a flu vaccine, the constant mutation of the virus makes the vaccine less effective.
Recently, researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) brought exciting news: they have discovered a new antibody that can effectively attack a hard-to-find area of the flu virus!
This area is called the "dark side of NA", and it is located at the bottom of the surface protein NA (neuraminidase) of the influenza virus, and due to its special structure, it is difficult for the virus to mutate here and thus evade the attack of antibodies.
NA Dark Side Research Background.
The dark side of NA refers to the bottom area of the surface protein NA of the influenza virus, which makes it difficult for the virus to mutate here due to its special structure, so as to evade the attack of antibodies.
The discovery of the dark side was a fortuitous process. In the 90s of the 20th century, researchers at the National Institutes of Health studied the structure of the influenza virus and discovered that some antibodies could bind to the bottom region of the Na protein. These antibodies were effective in inhibiting the replication of the influenza virus, but it was not clear how these antibodies worked at the time.
It wasn't until 2010 that scientists were able to resolve the structure of these antibodies binding to Na proteins using high-resolution microscopy. They found that these antibodies bind to the Na protein in a different way than other antibodies, and they were able to recognize a highly conserved structure in the bottom region of the Na protein. This structure is known as the "Dark Side" because it has not been discovered before.
The discovery of the dark side of the na has important research value:
It provides new ideas for the development of new influenza vaccines. Traditional influenza vaccines mainly target HA protein, which is prone to mutation, resulting in a decrease in vaccine effectiveness. Vaccines that target the dark side of NA could provide broader protection and reduce the risk of viral resistance. It provides a new target for the development of novel anti-influenza drugs. The anti-influenza drugs currently in use mainly target the head region of the NA protein, and these drugs are prone to drug resistance. Drugs that target the dark side of NA can effectively inhibit the replication of drug-resistant virus strains. It can help us better understand the mutation mechanism of influenza viruses. The study of the dark side of NA can help us to ** the future mutation direction of the influenza virus, so as to take more effective prevention and control measures.
Researchers isolated antibodies against the dark side of NA from the blood of flu patients and experimentally verified their effectiveness
These antibodies are able to inhibit replication of a variety of influenza viruses in the laboratory, including the H2N2 subtype (the 1957-58 pandemic virus) and the H3N2 subtype (the dominant subtype of seasonal influenza virus). In animal experiments, these antibodies were effective in preventing infection with H3N2 subtype influenza virus in mice. This discovery provides a new idea for the development of new influenza vaccines and methods:
Antibodies against the dark side of NA could be used to develop a new generation of flu vaccines that could provide broader protection and reduce the risk of viral resistance. These antibodies can also be combined with antiviral drugs or other types of antibodies to form a more effective regimen**. This research is undoubtedly a major breakthrough that brings new hope to our victory over the age-old enemy of the flu!
Looking to the future. This study discovered a new target for influenza virus NA protein, which provides a new idea for the development of novel influenza vaccines and methods.
In the future, this research may have the following application prospects:
Develop a new type of influenza vaccine against the dark side of NA that could provide broader protection and reduce the risk of viral resistance. The development of novel anti-influenza drugs targeting the dark side of NA can effectively inhibit the replication of drug-resistant virus strains. Use the dark side of NA to study the mutation mechanism of influenza virus, ** the future mutation direction of influenza virus, so as to take more effective prevention and control measures. Here are some questions to ponder:
How can the results of NA dark-side research be applied to clinical practice as soon as possible? How can I increase productivity and reduce costs for antibodies against the dark side of NA? How can the results of the dark side of NA research be applied to the prevention and control of other viruses? It is believed that with the deepening of research, the dark side of NA will bring new hope to us to defeat viral diseases such as influenza.
Reference: Nakagawa, T, et al. (2024). the open gate of the ampa receptor forms a ca2+ binding site critical in regulating ion transport. nature structural & molecular biology. doi.org/10.1038/s41594-024-01228-3.