Vaccine from HIV will help to create antibodies of cattle

Cows can play a very important role in the fight against HIV. In a series of experiments, scientists found that cattle have the ability to quickly produce antibodies to the virus that can help in the production of a vaccine to combat this devastating disease.

The rate of antibody production

A study conducted by the US National Institute of Health showed that cattle infected with HIV antigens began to produce antibodies known as bNAb (widely neutralizing antibodies) that bind to the only open surface antigen of the virus. In just 42 days, scientists found that bovine antibodies could neutralize 20 percent of tested HIV strains, and within 381 days this number increased to 96 percent.

"These results really shocked us," said Dr. Devin Soklt. "It's hard to believe in them, because the human body needs three to five years to develop the antibodies we're talking about." This is really important, because our body is not capable of coping with this important task in such a short period. Who would have thought that cows would make a significant contribution to the fight against HIV? "

Unique features of the immune system of cows

Cattle are not able to get HIV naturally, as the virus evolved in the body of primates and is aimed at attacking human cells. However, researchers were interested in knowing how the cows will react to the virus, since the immune system of cattle has unique characteristics that scientists believe can produce powerful antibodies in response to infection.

The researchers introduced viral antigens to 117 calves to study the response of their body. However, the reaction rate of the immune system of animals has affected researchers. They suggest that, since the digestive system of cows is filled with bacteria that digest grass, the animal's immune system has the ability to quickly produce antibodies in order to keep these microbes under control.

In rare cases, some people are also able to naturally produce such antibodies, but since this takes a long time after infection, the virus manages to mutate and overcome them. However, cattle produced bNAb for several weeks.

Importance of the new study

"The results of our study are noteworthy in that cattle, apparently, produces antibodies to bNAb in a relatively short period of time. In contrast to human antibodies, bovine antibodies are likely to have unique features and have an advantage over complex HIV immunogens, "explained Dennis R. Burton, who led the study.

Although this finding is important, scientists warn that antibodies obtained can not be directly used to fight HIV in humans. However, this can be a vital step in the production of other antibodies compatible with the human body, which in turn can be turned into a vaccine.