Vaccine antibodies show promise against CMV for kidney transplant patients
The team studied immune responses in people who received the gB/MF59 vaccine, focusing on the AD-6 antibody. They found that AD-6 can block the virus from spreading between cells and prevent it from reactivating; this is a key step in controlling infections.
Using computer-based and laboratory techniques, they mapped where AD-6 was on glycoprotein B and compared its structure to similar proteins in other herpesviruses. They discovered that AD-6 has key chemical and structural features which are likely important for the function of gB making it a good target to produce effective antibodies against.
“We also found that AD-6 antibodies target a part of glycoprotein B that changes shape during infection, suggesting they may stop the virus by interfering with these shape changes. Interestingly, because AD-6 antibodies recognise similar regions in other herpesviruses, this hints at this being a target with broader protective potential beyond CMV.” Dr Matthew Reeves.