Origene_Jan2021_ProperAntibodyDesignKeeps - 12

Coronavirus-Neutralizing Human Antibody Discovered

Coronavirus-Neutralizing
Human Antibody Discovered

R

esearchers at Utrecht University, Erasmus

coronaviruses. The two viruses crossed species

Medical Center and Harbour BioMed (HBM)

barriers from an animal reservoir, and can cause

have identified a fully human monoclonal

life-threatening respiratory illness in humans. By May

antibody that prevents SARS-CoV-2 from infecting

4th 2020 there were more than 3.4 million confirmed

cultured cells. Discovery of the antibody, which

cases of SARS-CoV-2 worldwide, and in excess of

also neutralizes the related SARS-CoV coronavirus,

230,000 deaths. The SARS-CoV strain caused ~8000

represents an initial step towards developing a fully

infections, with a lethality of 10%. There are currently

human antibody to treat or prevent COVID-19, and

no approved targeted therapeutics available for

also potentially future diseases caused by viruses

COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2.

from the same coronavirus subgroup.
" This discovery provides a strong foundation for

Monoclonal antibodies targeting " vulnerable
sites " on viral surface proteins are increasingly

additional research to characterize this antibody

recognized as a promising class of drugs against

and begin development as a potential COVID-19

infectious diseases, and have shown therapeutic

treatment, " said Frank Grosveld, PhD. co-lead author

efficacy for a number of viruses, the authors wrote.

on the study, Academy Professor of Cell Biology,

Coronavirus-neutralizing antibodies primarily

Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam and Founding

target the trimeric spike (S) glycoproteins on the

CSO at Harbour BioMed. " The antibody used in

coronavirus surface that mediate entry into host

this work is 'fully human,' allowing development to

cells. The S protein has two functional subunits.

proceed more rapidly and reducing the potential for

The S1 subunit, which is composed of four core

immune-related side effects. "

domains, S1A through to S1D, mediates attachment

Grosveld and colleagues report on the antibody
in Nature Communications, in a paper titled, " A
human monoclonal antibody blocking SARS-CoV-2
infection. "
Both SARS-CoV-2 and the SARS-CoV virus that

to the host cell. The S2 domain mediates fusion of
the viral and cell membranes.
The spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV
share 77.5% identical amino acid sequence, and are
structurally very similar, the investigators continued.

emerged in 2002, belong to the Sarbecovirus

They commonly bind the human angiotensin

subgenus of the Betacoronavirus family of

converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) protein as the host

12 |

GENengnews.com

http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-16256-y http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-16256-y http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-16256-y http://www.GENengnews.com

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