An antibody which could combat the lethal Dengue virus may have finally been discovered by scientists at Vanderbilt University and the National University of Singapore.

In a study, researchers were able to identify the molecular framework of a human monoclonal antibody that strongly counteracts with a complex epitope or antigens located on the viral envelope.

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Through cryo-electron microscopy, the group froze samples at very low temperatures allow visualization of the antigen-antibody attachment almost down to the atomic level, Relia Wire reported.

Scientists were also able to determine how tiny changes in dengue's genetic make-up can alter the virus' ability to spread more efficiently and manipulate human immune defenses.

It was discovered that the virus' tail is responsible for its potency since it is the tail which binds to a protein and suppresses the human antiviral response. Once the human antiviral response is suppressed, the dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) can efficiently spread within the infected person's system and chances of infecting other mosquitoes that carry the virus also increase, Business Standard has learned.

However, with the human monoclonal antibody, a series of envelope proteins in a mouse model are "locked" to prevent the virus from binding to its target cells thus preventing infection.

Such findings are believed to make way for the first ever vaccines and therapies against dengue.

"Scientists in the antibody discovery group of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Center continue to make great strides in developing novel antiviral drugs, such as this human antibody that not only kills dengue virus but also prevents enhanced dengue disease." Research co-corresponding author James Crowe Jr. said, according to Times of India.

Dengue virus, a leading cause of illness and even death among the tropics and subtropics, infects about 400 million individuals yearly, as per the CDC.

The disease is caused by one of the four related viruses carried by a mosquito and transferred through the insect's bites.

Each dengue "serotype" is determined by specific proteins or antigens that trigger immune responses.

An antibody created to fight one serotype reportedly does not protect against the other three serotypes making dengue challenging and fatal.

Antigens from a second serotype can enhance infection through the process called antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection. Sequential infections caused by another serotype can actually be more fatal since the risk for dengue shock syndrome and dengue hemorrhagic fever is increased.

Tagsdengue, dengue virus, DENV-2, Science, Study