Discovery of antibodies targeting hidden influenza virus region

Researchers at the U.S. National Institutes of Health have discovered antibodies targeting a hidden region of the influenza virus, termed the "dark side." This region on the neuraminidase protein head is vulnerable to antibody binding and inhibits virus propagation. Human antibodies isolated from recovered individuals inhibited various flu viruses in lab tests and protected mice from lethal infection. The discovery could lead to new vaccine and therapeutic strategies.