MAb114

MAb114 is a monoclonal antibody that was developed as a therapeutic treatment for the Ebola virus disease. It was isolated from a survivor of the 1995 Ebola outbreak in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo. MAb114 binds to the core receptor binding domain of the Ebola virus surface glycoprotein, preventing the virus from entering host cells.

History

MAb114 was developed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The antibody was isolated from the blood of a survivor of the 1995 Ebola outbreak in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The survivor had a remarkably strong immune response to the virus, which allowed researchers to identify and isolate the effective antibody.

Mechanism of Action

MAb114 works by binding to the core receptor binding domain of the Ebola virus surface glycoprotein. This prevents the virus from entering host cells and initiating an infection. The antibody is specific to the Ebola virus and does not affect other viruses.

Clinical Trials and Use

MAb114 has been tested in several clinical trials. In a trial conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during an Ebola outbreak in 2018, MAb114 was found to significantly reduce the risk of death from Ebola. It has since been used as a treatment for Ebola in several countries.

Future Research

Future research on MAb114 will likely focus on its potential use in preventing Ebola infection, as well as its effectiveness against different strains of the Ebola virus. There is also interest in exploring whether MAb114 could be combined with other treatments to enhance its effectiveness.