Scientists have perfected a way to generate protein sentinels of the immune system, known as monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies are capable of destroying any foreign invaders that might threaten the immune system.

The lab-made antibodies are destined to fight against influenza, but the breakthrough discovery could also lead to new treatments for other infectious diseases such as hepatitis c, pneumococcal pneumonia or anthrax.

“With just a few tablespoons of blood, we can now rapidly generate human antibodies that can be used for immunization, diagnosis and treatment of newly emerging strains of influenza. In the face of a disease outbreak, the ability to quickly produce infection-fighting human monoclonal antibodies would be invaluable,” said Patrick Wilson, an immunology researcher at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, senior author of the paper, Reuters reports.

Wilson’s research is a dramatic advance, because it marks the first time that scientists were able to rapidly generate the disease-killing proteins. Before this research, it took scientists three months to produce enough monoclonal antibodies to protect huge populations, because the immune system only pumps out small quantities in response to infections.

During the experiment, the researchers have isolated antibody-secreting cells, or plasma cells, from people vaccinated for influenza, and then cloned antibody genes from these cells.

“We can recognize which cells are made and then make antibodies from them directly. It is a rapid and efficient way to make fully human antibodies,” said Wilson.

“In the past, it took years of work and great expense to create what are known as monoclonal antibodies, lab-produced antibodies derived from a single line of cells. It was kind of the needle in a haystack approach,” said Wilson. “The problem is they couldn’t pick the cells that made the antibodies against the pathogens that you wanted to fight.”

Wilson says that the new technique could become widely available in a few years if it is proved safe and effective during human clinical trials.

Yet another method, making hybrid antibodies from white blood cells that produce antibodies, is faster but more dangerous. If the proteins in the hybrid variants weren’t compatible, the body could reject the antibodies or react in unforeseen ways.

“Vaccines (too) can activate the immune system, but they need time to take effect, and many offer less than 100 percent protection and carry risks of side effects,” OMRF President Stephen Prescott MD said.

Wilson and his clinical collaborator, OMRF’s Judith James, MD, PhD are currently working to make more antibodies from other infections, including hepatitis C, pneumococcal pneumonia, and anthrax.

“We now have an outstanding opportunity to create antibodies against a host of diseases. This discovery has great clinical potential,” James said.

The research, funded by the National Institute of allergy and Infectious Diseases and the National Center for Research Resources, Parts of the National Institutes of Health, appeared in the online publication of the journal Nature.