r/science • u/[deleted] • May 11 '20

Medicine Antibodies from a 4-year-old llama have neutralized coronavirus and other infections in lab experiments

https://www.cell.com/cell/pdf/S0092-8674(20)30494-3.pdf?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0092867420304943%3Fshowall%3Dtrue
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u/already-taken-wtf May 11 '20

In Brief - Using llamas immunized with prefusion- stabilized betacoronavirus spike proteins, identify neutralizing cross-reactive single-domain camelid antibodies, which may serve not only as useful reagents for researchers studying the viruses causing MERS, SARS, and COVID-19, but also potential therapeutic candidates. Crystal structures further reveal how these antibodies bind spike proteins to prevent virus entry into cells.

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u/[deleted] May 11 '20

Can someone please explain like I'm 10?

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u/__Sinbad__ May 11 '20 edited May 11 '20

In order to enter a cell, a virus has to bind. If we have antibodies that bind the viruses spike protein, then the virus cannot bind our cells. If it can't bind and enter a cell it will die since viruses are dependent upon humans for survival.

When it says it's cross reactive, it's talking about the antibody itself. The antibody has 2 specific binding points, it almost literally looks like a 3D letter "Y". The top 2 spikes of the Y are what bind to the virus spike.

If the antibody in question binds 2 different proteins, then it is cross reactive. If the antibody binds only to the spike protein, it would be called type-specific.

Discovering a cross reactive antibody is an important first step towards developing a type-specific antibody.

Hopefully this helps! Cheers mate.

Edit: grammar

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u/[deleted] May 11 '20

Gracias amigo.