Table of contents:
- SARS antibodies to fight COVID-19
- 1,024,298
- 831,330
- 28,855
- Why are antibodies important to fight viruses?
So far, there are no specific drugs to fight the virus in the body of a COVID-19 patient. Therefore, experts are trying various efforts to get a drug that is effective in treating COVID-19. One of the findings from the study was that antibodies from SARS patients were reported to be able to fight the COVID-19 virus.
SARS antibodies to fight COVID-19
In certain cases, antibodies or a combination of antibodies can serve as a treatment for new viral infections or prevent viruses in people who are at high risk. This opportunity was eventually used by the research team to explore the development of monoclonal antibodies that neutralize the virus.
According to research from Nature, there are antibodies found in blood samples of patients who have recovered from SARS that are rumored to be able to fight the corona virus, including COVID-19. This antibody, known as S309, was actually studied before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.
In the study, the experts tried to experiment with 25 different types of antibodies. Then, they try to target these antibodies against specific spikes in the virus to see if there are any types of antibodies to prevent cells from becoming infected with COVID-19.
The reason is, as has been known previously that both SARS and the virus that causes COVID-19 come from the same umbrella, namely the coronavirus. The virus which is thought to have originated from this animal is said to have a similar structure.
1,024,298
Confirmed831,330
Recovered28,855
DeathDistribution MapAs a result, the researchers identified eight antibodies that are said to bind to COVID-19 and infected cells. One promising candidate is known as S309 and has been shown to neutralize the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Experts began trying to combine S309 with other antibodies that were deemed less potent. Then, these combined antibodies are used to target different sites on the viral protein spike. Thus, antibodies can reduce the risk of the virus mutating.
Although research on SARS antibodies against COVID-19 has not been tested in humans, the findings open up other avenues of treatment in dealing with COVID-19. In fact, this antibody therapy is also likely to reduce the risk of viral infection in risk groups, such as the elderly and patients with a history of chronic disease.
Why are antibodies important to fight viruses?
Apart from being used to detect the presence of the COVID-19 virus in the body, antibodies are also needed to fight infections, both SARS and other types of corona viruses.
Antibodies or immunoglobulins (Ig) are special proteins that bind to antigens and can be found on the surface of pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses. Generally, antibodies are made by B lymphocytes which are specialized white blood cells and originate from the immune system.
Basically, antibodies consist of various types with different functions, namely:
- immunoglobulin A (IgA): plays a role in the emergence of allergies
- immunoglobulin E (IgE): used for initial testing of allergies
- immunoglobulin G (IgG): protects the body by memorizing pathogens that have entered
- immunoglobulin M (IgM): the first antibody to fight infection when the body becomes infected
These lymphocytes or B cells have antibodies on the cell surface, allowing the antibodies to detect foreign bodies. When a pathogen is found, B cells will turn into plasma cells and produce antibodies so that they can bind to specific antigens with these pathogens.
Then, plasma cells will release large amounts of antibodies into the body's circulation so that the body is protected in two ways.
First, antibodies can bind to antigens outside bacteria or viruses to stop them from entering the body's cells. The reason is, when pathogens make it into your body's cells, it makes it easier for them to multiply and make the body sick. If the cells stop entering the cells, of course the risk of disease is reduced.
Second, antibodies can also work by binding to antigens on pathogens. Then, the antibodies signal other white blood cells (phagocytes) to destroy the pathogen. In essence, antibodies are needed to neutralize the virus and mark it so that it can be destroyed.
Therefore, the finding of antibodies for SARS patients can be used to fight COVID-19 is quite important considering that there is no specific drug to treat this respiratory disease. What's more, information about COVID-19 antibodies can help researchers design a safe and effective vaccine to prevent viral infection.
