Antibodies instead of vaccines
MAb362 antibody may be an alternative to COVID-19 vaccination
Georgy Golovanov, Hi-tech+
Researchers from MassBiologics have been working towards this discovery for 16 years. The monoclonal antibody developed by them has proved to be an effective tool of protection against COVID-19 – it prevents the coronavirus from entering the body through the mucous membranes and respiratory tract. If the development passes all the tests, it will become an alternative to vaccines.
Specialists of the American biological company MassBiologics reported that they discovered and described a cross-reacting monoclonal antibody to the spiny process protein SARS-CoV-2, which blocks the ACE2 receptor and potentially prevents infection with coronavirus, according to a press release New study: MassBiologics discovers antibodies that may protect against COVID-19.
Article by Ejemel et al. A cross-reactive human IgA monoclonal antibody blocks SARS-CoV-2 spike-ACE2 interaction is published in the journal Nature Communications – VM.
The background of this discovery goes back 16 years, when the company developed a monoclonal IgG antibody effective against the related SARS-CoV virus. Since the beginning of the spread of the new coronavirus, scientists have returned to this project, but found that, despite the 90 percent similarity of viruses, monoclonal antibodies do not combine with SARS-CoV-2.
Then scientists adapted specific secretory antibodies (slgA) for an immune response in the respiratory tract. This approach worked, and the MAb362 antibody performed very well in neutralizing SARS-CoV-2, according to representatives of MassBiologics.
"So our study – which began as a conversation during a coffee break – led to the creation of a unique IgA antibody that can potentially be injected through the mucous membrane, in combination with other systematically used drugs for direct mucosal protection," said Professor Mark Klempner from MassBiologics.
Scientists from The Scripps Institute analyzed data on antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, which were found in patients recovering from COVID-19 in recent months. It turned out that the most powerful antibodies, especially effectively neutralizing the virus, are encoded by a single gene called IGHV3-53.
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