Scientists at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) have identified human antibodies capable of neutralizing the measles virus, according to a study published in the journal Nature Communications on April 28, 2026. The research, led by Professor Erica Ollmann Saphire, is the first to characterize such antibodies from human donors.
The antibodies target specific sites on the measles virus fusion glycoprotein, preventing the virus from entering host cells. The team isolated antibodies from blood samples of individuals who had been vaccinated or naturally infected with measles, then tested their ability to block viral entry in cell culture experiments.
According to the study, the most potent antibodies neutralized multiple strains of measles virus, including those circulating in recent outbreaks. The findings could inform the development of new therapeutic treatments for measles, which remains a leading cause of vaccine-preventable death globally, particularly in regions with low vaccination coverage.
Dr. Saphire stated, 'These antibodies provide a blueprint for designing interventions that could protect people who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants or immunocompromised individuals.' The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
