Human antibody reveals hidden vulnerability in influenza virus

(NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) The ever-changing 'head' of an influenza virus protein has an unexpected Achilles heel, report NIAID-funded scientists. The team discovered the structure of a naturally occurring human antibody that recognizes and disrupts a portion of the hemagglutinin (HA) protein that the virus uses to enter and infect cells. The investigators determined that the antibody, FluA-20, binds tightly to an area on the head of the HA protein that is only briefly accessible to antibody attack.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news