A twinkle of hope came from an animal in the midst of a fight against an outbreak of the Corona virus. Researchers at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) have isolated a small group of promising antibodies or nanobodies against the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
At least one of these nanobodies can prevent infection and detect viral particles by holding the surge protein (which is shaped like a surge attached to the surface) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In the journal Scientific Reports, the researchers estimated this nanobody, called NIH-CoVnb-112, appears to work well, in liquid or aerosol form, suggesting that it can remain effective after inhalation.
Quoted from The Indian Xpress, Friday (6/8/2021) nanobodies are a special type of antibody produced naturally by the immune system of camel -type, including llamas and alpacas. These antibodies are called nanobodies because of their small size, about one-tenth the weight of most human antibodies.
Because nanobodies are more stable, cheaper to manufacture, and easier to make than regular antibodies, researchers are now beginning to use them for medical research.
"Since the outbreak hit, several researchers have produced llama nanobodies to fight the SARS-CoV-2 surge protein that may be effective in preventing infection. In this study, researchers used slightly different strategies to find nanobodies that might work well." NIH.
Surge proteins play a major role during Corona virus infection. This part ‘opens the door’ of infection when it binds to a human protein called the ACE2 receptor on the cell surface. In this study, NIH scientists developed a method that isolates nanobodies that can block infection by covering part of the surge protein that binds and unlocks the ACE2 receptor.
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