In the fight against infectious diseases, scientists are continually seeking to outsmart pathogens. One such strategy involves the use of nanobodies.
In the fight against infectious diseases, scientists are continually seeking innovative strategies to outsmart pathogens. One such strategy involves the use of nanobodies - small, stable antibody fragments derived from heavy-chain-only antibodies found in camelids like llamas and alpacas. This article explores how these tiny but potent molecules are being harnessed to treat both viral and bacterial infections.
Alexey Solodovnikov (Idea, Producer, CG, Editor), Valeria Arkhipova (Scientific Сonsultant),
CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Nanobodies have shown great promise in combating various viral infections. Their small size allows them to access crevices on the surface of viruses that are inaccessible to larger molecules, enabling them to neutralize viruses effectively.
For instance, nanobodies have been developed against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. These nanobodies can bind to the spike protein, blocking its interaction with the human receptor ACE2 and thus preventing the virus from entering human cells.
Nanobodies can also be used to inhibit viral replication inside host cells. For example, researchers have generated nanobodies that target the influenza virus polymerase, an enzyme critical for viral replication.
Some nanobodies have even been shown to modulate the host's immune response to bacterial infections. For instance, a nanobody targeting the toxin TcdB of Clostridium difficile, a bacterium that causes severe diarrhea, has been found to protect mice from infection by neutralizing the toxin and enhancing the host's immune response.
While still a relatively new field, nanobody-based therapies represent a promising approach in the battle against infectious diseases. By leveraging the unique properties of nanobodies, scientists are developing more precise, effective treatments for both viral and bacterial infections. As this exciting research continues, we can look forward to a new generation of therapies that harness the power of nanobodies to combat infectious diseases.
Keown, J.R., Zhu, Z., Carrique, L. et al. Mapping inhibitory sites on the RNA polymerase of the 1918 pandemic influenza virus using nanobodies. Nat Commun 13, 251 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27950-w
Huo, J., Le Bas, A., Ruza, R.R. et al. Neutralizing nanobodies bind SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD and block interaction with ACE2. Nat Struct Mol Biol 27, 846–854 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41594-020-0469-6
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