Protection against H5N1 influenza by immunoglobulin single variable domains

LORENA I. IBAÑEZ; MARINA DE FILETTE; WESLY VANDEVELDE; PETER VANLANDSCHOOT; XAVIER SAELENS

INFLUENZA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2011 vol. 5 p. 90 - 123

1750-2640

Zoonotic infections with highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses have a high case fatality rate and remain very difficult to treat. Neuraminidase inhibitors such as oseltamivir and zanamivir are licensed for the treatment of uncomplicated influenza caused by seasonal influenza virus strains have also been used to treat H5N1-infected patients. Such treatment appears to improve patient survival but the selection of oseltamivir-resistant H5N1 viruses is a major concern. Novel antiviral drugs are desired to prevent or treat patients that have been infected with highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses and influenza in general. Here, we assessed the therapeutic potential of camelid-derived immunoglobulin single variable domains (VHHs or Nanobodies®) that are specific for the hemagglutinin (HA) of A/Vietnam//1194/2004 (H5N1) virus in a mouse model.