N-Terminal Domain Antibodies Play a Key Role in COVID Immunity
Photo: Vir Biotechnology and David Veesler Lab at UW Medicine
Scientists are learning that a lesser-studied region on the pandemic coronavirus is recognized by COVID-19 infection-fighting antibodies. These antibodies were identified in blood samples from previously infected patients and were found to potently prevent the virus from infecting cells.
The coronavirus spike protein is the key that unlocks the door to the cell, and antibodies bind to the spike protein to jam this function. Much attention has been given to studying antibodies that target the receptor-binding domain on the coronavirus spike protein. (The receptor-binding domain of the spike ...