Antibodies Work to Protect Mice From H5N1 Bird Flu Strain
February 22, 2009 by admin
Boston (HealthKnowItAll) - Researchers are now saying that antibodies can protect us against the flu.
These human antibodies have been shown to protect us from H5N1, which is the dreaded bird flu strain, as well as other strains.
The researchers say that their discovery could actually lead to drugs being developed to better protect us from catching flu.
Researchers performed tests on mice, which showed that the antibodies protected them against multiple strains of flu.
“We were surprised and actually delighted to find that these antibodies neutralized a majority of other influenza viruses, including the regular seasonal (H1N1 strain of) flu,” said Robert Liddington of the Burnham Institute for Medical Research in La Jolla, California.
Each year, the flu vaccine is comprised of the previous year’s strains a fact that results in it being ineffective for many people who receive it.
Researchers say that their discovery could lead to the development of drugs that actually work at preventing flu.
