A team of immunologists from the Pasteur Institute in France has discovered new antibodies to HIV that neutralize about a third of the 200 viral variants of the disease. This discovery may serve as the first step towards new methods of treating HIV-1 based on the use of neutralizing antibodies, reports “Gazeta.Ru” with reference to a publication in the journal Nature. Scientists have discovered that HIV-1 carriers who started treatment promptly and maintained it for several years have special antibodies. One of the most active is the antibody EPTC112, which neutralizes about a third of the 200 viral variants of HIV-1 and can eliminate infected cells of the immune system. In addition, experts suggest that such protection is provided not only by antibodies, but by a whole complex of different molecules. Immunologists believe the new research contributes to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying viral control.