Washington: Researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and the University of Washington in the United States have developed new antibodies that could help prevent infection with the Epstein-Barr virus and reduce its complications, a promising scientific step in combating one of the most common viruses in humans.
The Epstein-Barr virus, also known as human herpesvirus type 4, is one of the herpes viruses that infect B cells in the immune system.
It is believed that about 95 percent of adults carry it, and infections often occur without obvious symptoms, but the virus remains dormant in the body for life. It has been linked to certain types of cancer and multiple sclerosis, in addition to serious complications in people with weakened immune systems.
The team developed monoclonal antibodies targeting two proteins that play a key role in infecting cells: gp350, which helps the virus attach to its receptors, and gp42, which helps it enter B cells, a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system.
Researchers hope that disrupting these two proteins will prevent cells from getting infected by the virus, or at least reduce its ability to spread and reactivate later. They managed to isolate ten new antibodies, two of which target the gp350 protein, and eight target the gp42 protein. They used genetically modified mice to produce antibodies with human-like characteristics, before testing them on mice that have immune systems similar to humans.
One of the antibodies targeting the gp42 protein successfully prevented infection, while one of the antibodies targeting gp350 provided partial protection. The researchers explained that developing effective human antibodies against the Epstein-Barr virus is a scientific challenge, due to its ability to infect a large number of B cells, making it difficult to identify an immune response that can be used in developing prevention or treatment methods. Andrew MacGuire, a biochemist and co-author of the study, said the results represent an important step for the scientific community and for people most at risk of virus complications, after many years of searching for an effective way to prevent it.
These antibodies may be particularly important for patients who have had organ or bone marrow transplants and are taking immunosuppressive drugs, making them more susceptible to post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders, a condition where lymphocytes grow uncontrollably and can develop into serious types of cancer. Preventing infection could also be beneficial for children who undergo organ transplants and have never been exposed to the virus.
Despite encouraging results, the study is still in its early stages, and the antibodies have not yet been tested on humans, so additional safety tests and clinical trials are needed to determine their effectiveness and potential future use for prevention or treatment. The virus spreads through body fluids, especially saliva, via sharing drinks, food, eating utensils, and toothbrushes, and it can also be transmitted through blood, semen, blood transfusions, and organ transplants. Symptoms of infection accompanied by mononucleosis in teenagers and adults can take four to six weeks to appear, and the virus can be reactivated later without symptoms, particularly in people with weakened immune systems.
