Los Angeles: Scientists have identified antibodies that are effective against several different SARS-CoV-2 types, an advance that paves the way for the next generation of vaccines that can protect against different COVID-19 strains. Huh. The. Antibodies identified in monkeys by a team in Scripps Research Institute In San Diego, the US is also effective against other SARS viruses such as SARS-CoV-1, the highly lethal virus that caused an outbreak in 2003.
The results suggest that some animals are more capable of making these types of “pan-SARS virus” antibodies than humans, giving scientists clues about how to make better vaccines.
Findings published on Thursday in the journal science translation medicineReveal the antibody structures that produce this more widespread immune response.
The researchers found that these neutralizing antibodies recognize a viral region in the spike protein—which the virus uses to enter and infect cells—that is relatively conserved.
This means that this region is present in many different SARS viruses, and is therefore less likely to mutate over time, he said.
According to the researchers, the discovery could help develop next-generation vaccines that could provide additional protection against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and other SARS-related viruses.
“If we can design vaccines that elicit broad responses similar to those seen in this study, these treatments could enable broader protection against viruses and forms of anxiety,” said the study’s senior author. Rais AndrabikAn investigator at The Scripps Research Institute.
Researchers immunized rhesus macaque monkeys with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Two shots were administered, similar to a similar strategy used with currently available vaccines in humans.
However, unlike vaccines, macaques were shown to have a broad neutralizing antibody response against the virus, including variants such as Omicron.
The scientists found that these antibodies recognize a conserved region at the edge of the site where the spike protein binds to host cells, called the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor binding site.
This differs from the region where most human antibodies target, which overlaps more with the ACE2 receptor binding site and is more variable to change, he said.
“The antibody structures reveal a critical region for many SARS-related viruses,” said study co-senior author Ian. wilson,
“This region has rarely been targeted by human antibodies to date and suggests additional strategies that can be used to persuade our immune system to recognize this particular region of the virus,” Wilson said.
The researchers noted that the macaque’s gene coding for these broad neutralizing antibodies — known as IgHV3-73 — is not the same in humans.
The dominant immune response in humans is related to the IGHV3-53 gene, which produces a potent but more narrow neutralizing antibody response, he said.
However, the scientists said the discovery paves the way for rationally designed and engineered vaccines or vaccine-assisted combinations that achieve more widespread protection against SARS-CoV-2 and its many forms.
“According to our study, macaques have an antibody gene that gives them greater protection against the SARS virus,” he said. Dennis Burtonco-senior author of the study.
Burton said, “This observation teaches us that studying the effects of a vaccine in monkeys can not only take us so far, but also reveal a new target for our vaccine efforts, which we call advanced protein design.” strategies may be able to be exploited.”
The results suggest that some animals are more capable of making these types of “pan-SARS virus” antibodies than humans, giving scientists clues about how to make better vaccines.
Findings published on Thursday in the journal science translation medicineReveal the antibody structures that produce this more widespread immune response.
The researchers found that these neutralizing antibodies recognize a viral region in the spike protein—which the virus uses to enter and infect cells—that is relatively conserved.
This means that this region is present in many different SARS viruses, and is therefore less likely to mutate over time, he said.
According to the researchers, the discovery could help develop next-generation vaccines that could provide additional protection against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and other SARS-related viruses.
“If we can design vaccines that elicit broad responses similar to those seen in this study, these treatments could enable broader protection against viruses and forms of anxiety,” said the study’s senior author. Rais AndrabikAn investigator at The Scripps Research Institute.
Researchers immunized rhesus macaque monkeys with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Two shots were administered, similar to a similar strategy used with currently available vaccines in humans.
However, unlike vaccines, macaques were shown to have a broad neutralizing antibody response against the virus, including variants such as Omicron.
The scientists found that these antibodies recognize a conserved region at the edge of the site where the spike protein binds to host cells, called the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor binding site.
This differs from the region where most human antibodies target, which overlaps more with the ACE2 receptor binding site and is more variable to change, he said.
“The antibody structures reveal a critical region for many SARS-related viruses,” said study co-senior author Ian. wilson,
“This region has rarely been targeted by human antibodies to date and suggests additional strategies that can be used to persuade our immune system to recognize this particular region of the virus,” Wilson said.
The researchers noted that the macaque’s gene coding for these broad neutralizing antibodies — known as IgHV3-73 — is not the same in humans.
The dominant immune response in humans is related to the IGHV3-53 gene, which produces a potent but more narrow neutralizing antibody response, he said.
However, the scientists said the discovery paves the way for rationally designed and engineered vaccines or vaccine-assisted combinations that achieve more widespread protection against SARS-CoV-2 and its many forms.
“According to our study, macaques have an antibody gene that gives them greater protection against the SARS virus,” he said. Dennis Burtonco-senior author of the study.
Burton said, “This observation teaches us that studying the effects of a vaccine in monkeys can not only take us so far, but also reveal a new target for our vaccine efforts, which we call advanced protein design.” strategies may be able to be exploited.”