Recent research conducted by specialists at the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology (IMCB) of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences has identified potent llama nanoantibodies that show significant efficacy against various strains of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the pathogen responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. This discovery, supported by a grant from the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, was reported by `Science in Siberia` as part of the Decade of Science and Technology initiative.
A llama, whose antibodies are being studied for COVID-19 treatment.
Addressing the Evolving Threat
Scientists highlight that even though the COVID-19 pandemic has officially concluded, new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus continue to emerge. While these newer strains may not pose an extreme danger to healthy individuals, they represent a considerable threat to people with compromised immune systems. This vulnerable group includes patients suffering from chronic diseases, oncology patients, the elderly, and individuals with autoimmune disorders who are taking immunosuppressive medications.
«All viruses are highly prone to genetic variability. Antibodies in the immune system are generated against a specific variant, but as the virus replicates within the body, it undergoes genetic changes. Consequently, the viral protein segments that antibodies recognize also change. This allows the virus to continuously evade the immune system`s action. The primary goal for scientists is to discover antibodies that can recognize several different viral variants simultaneously. Such antibodies would remain effective for an extended period and could protect patients, regardless of the currently dominant strain.»
Bispecific Antibodies: A Broader Defense
Initially, researchers utilized several individual llama antibodies, each capable of neutralizing only a limited set of coronavirus variants. However, when these individual antibodies were combined to form a single bispecific (double) antibody, the resulting construct demonstrated a significantly enhanced ability to neutralize a much wider array of viral strains.
«Llama nanoantibody-based antibodies represent a burgeoning field globally. Several human-targeted antibodies derived from llama nanoantibodies are already undergoing various clinical trial phases. Our laboratory has a well-established pipeline (sequence of stages) for producing such antibodies, not just for coronaviruses but for any other pathogens. This particular study is currently in its final stages,» stated Anton Chikaev, a senior researcher at the IMCB Antibody Engineering Laboratory.
Unique Structure for Enhanced Efficacy
Scientists explained that the structure of llama antibodies differs fundamentally from that of human antibodies. Foreign substances, including viruses, frequently attempt to evade detection by human antibodies through various masking mechanisms. However, the unique structural characteristics of llama antibodies render them less vulnerable to these evasion tactics. Therapies developed using these antibodies are effective even at extremely low concentrations, and the novel combination developed by the researchers has shown remarkably high efficacy.
