Technologies

Background
The immune system is designed to generate a response and neutralize pathogens like bacteria and their toxins, viruses and other microorganisms that invade the bodyΓÇÖs tissues. It can be thought of as a system that is distributed throughout the body in the form of immune cells and protein molecules like antibodies to defend the body against a variety of pathogens. The antibodies identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses by recognizing a unique specific part of the foreign target, termed an antigen, and bind to it in a lock-and -key type of mechanism. Antibodies and immune cells typically recognize antigens and act outside cells. However, many pathogens grow and replicate inside the host or human cells. Once the pathogens invade the cell, it is difficult for the immune system to target and eliminate them. Innovative Technology Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a novel antibody-mediated neutralization mechanism that can neutralize the influenza virus and potentially other pathogens by targeting them inside the infected cells. The researchers believe that the molecular mechanism is similar to the antibody-antigen method utilized by the bodyΓÇÖs natural defense system to target pathogens that have already invaded and overcome the bodyΓÇÖs first line of defense. This revolutionary technique will potentially broaden antibody treatment in a wide-range of diseases and provide more prophylactic and therapeutic functions like vaccine development against infectious diseases.