Nature Communications: Alpacas save the world?

In response to the new coronary pneumonia (COVID-19) caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), there are currently many vaccines on the market worldwide
.

However, despite the fact that major manufacturers are working hard to produce vaccines, the speed of vaccination still cannot keep up with people's needs.

On September 22, local time, researchers from the Wellcome Center for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, UK, led an article on Nature Communications, titled " A potent SARS-CoV-2 neutralising nanobody shows therapeutic efficacy in the Syrian golden hamster model" of COVID-19 " research report
.

A potent SARS-CoV-2 neutralising nanobody shows therapeutic efficacy in the Syrian golden hamster model of COVID-19 A potent SARS-CoV-2 neutralising nanobody shows therapeutic efficacy in the Syrian golden hamster model of COVID-19

In this report, researchers have developed 4 unique nanobodies derived from llamas that have the potential to prevent COVID-19
.

In mouse trials, one of the vaccines was not only injectable, but also showed good preventive effects through nasal inhalation

Compared with traditional antibodies, nanobodies have many advantages, such as small molecular size and high stability, which enable them to directly achieve local administration through aerosolization, which improves the bioavailability of vaccines and treatment compliance.
In addition, technology The advancement in the production of Nanobodies has made the cost of manufacturing Nanobodies lower
.

Based on these factors, the researchers explored the potential of using Nanobodies to fight COVID-19

How to make Nanobodies? The researchers set their sights on the llama, which is the llama
.

By injecting the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein into the llama's body to trigger its immune response, a series of single domain heavy chain antibodies (VHH) are obtained

The researchers screened out C1, H3, C5, and F2, four VHHs with the highest affinity to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the virus S protein for production, and used surface plasmon resonance (SPR) measurement in a joint competitive binding test , Evaluated the in vitro binding effect of each VHH with Alpha, Beta and other new crown virus strains
.

The test results show that H3, C5 and F2 can effectively neutralize the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and the Alpha mutant strain, while the Nanobody that is active against the Beta mutant strain is only C1

Since C5 performed best in vitro, the researchers chose this Nanobody for further research
.

By injecting C5 Nanobody into the peritoneum of 6 Syrian hamster models with similar human symptoms after being infected with SARS-CoV-2, the researchers found that this Nanobody can significantly reduce the disease symptoms of the infected mice and gain weight 7 days later.

Therapeutic effect of C5 nanoantibody on Syrian hamster after intraperitoneal injection

Therapeutic effect of C5 Nanobody on Syrian hamsters after intraperitoneal injection of C5 Nanobody on Syrian hamsters after intraperitoneal injection of C5 Nanobody

In subsequent studies, the researchers also found that not only injections, but even respiratory administration can give full play to the effects of C5 Nanobodies
.

One of the corresponding authors of the report, James H.
Naismith, Professor of Structural Biology, Wellcome Center for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, UK, said: "If our vaccine is finally developed and approved for marketing, then nanobodies will be able to be used worldwide.
It provides important treatments for COVID-19 because they are easier to produce than human antibodies and do not need to be stored in cold storage facilities
.

"

In short, this research provides an important new form of treatment for COVID-19, indicating that nanobodies derived from alpaca may be an important force in helping people fight the epidemic.

Original source:

Original source:

Huo, J.

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