From the immune system of camelids a protein that puts the sticks in the wheels to herpes, to be used against the latent shapes of the virus.
An antibody derived from the Alpaca, much smaller than the traditional antibodies, is able to neutralize a protein that the Herpes Simplex virus (HSV, Herpes Simplex Virus) USA to infect. The discovery, published on Naturecould encourage the development of treatments against the latent forms of Herpes infection, which can periodically reactivate themselves with new symptoms. At the moment, in fact, we do not have drugs capable of completely eradicating the Herpes infection, nor of preventing its possible neurological complications.
What do alpaca have to do with herpes?
For some time the camelides like the Alpaca (Vicugna Pacos) are the subject of study for immunologists: their antibodies have a simpler structure than human ones and are therefore more agile in achieving objectives often precluded to “traditional” antibodies. They are also lighter, more stable, easier to produce and administer, so much so that in the past its effectiveness has been studied in therapies against the Sars-Cov-2 and as a further weapon to help Car-T cells attack solid tumors.
Transformist protein
To infect the guest’s cells, the Herpes Simplex virus hooks to their external membrane and merges their wrapping with it. Then release its genetic material into the attached cell and uses it as a factory to produce new copies of itself. To perform the merger, he uses a protein known as glycoprotein B, which during the process alters its three -dimensional form: this last minute transformation, which leaves many regions of the protein hidden and inaccessible, is one of the reasons for the lack of effective antivirals against herpes.
Interrupted merger
A group of German scientists coordinated by the Leibniz-Institut Für Virologie of Hamburg has led to the precise conformation of glycoprotein B, using cryo-electronics microscopy (a technique that allows you to see in detail the protein structures) to trap it as it appears in the exact moment of the merger.
At this point, the researchers injected a preparation based on glycoprotein B in an alpaca and isolated the nanoanticorops produced by the animal in response to the vaccine: among these they identified the one with the most marked neutralizing effect, capable of neutralizing glycoprotein B also in very low concentrations. The nanoanticorpo binds to the protein in its form of melting and blocks any further transformation, preventing the necessary processes for the merger between membranes to be completed. In this way, it prevents the infection.
Prevent reactivations
The authors of the study imagine a future in which nanoanticorops like this can be used to prevent recurring infections from Herpes in the people who host the virus in latent form.
To benefit from this form of prevention could be people with an weakened immune system and in which a reactivation of herpes can generate more serious complications, such as babies, people who sick cancer or HIV, people with autoimmune diseases or waiting for transplantation, pregnant women.
