Can Llama Antibodies Block COVID-19?

A new study from the University of Texas at Austin has identified a new, and surprisingly cute, candidate to treat COVID-19 – llamas. Originating from South America, the furry animals are members of the camel family and produce a special type of antibody that could be used to neutralise the virus that causes COVID-19.

Scientists hope to deactivate COVID-19

With global confirmed cases of COVID-19 now surpassing 4.5 million, the race to find a vaccine or treatment for the novel virus has intensified. Together with the National Institutes of Health USA and Ghent University in Belgium, researchers at the University of Texas created a new antibody that binds to a vital coronavirus protein that causes the infectious disease.

The new antibody was created by pairing two copies of a unique antibody produced by llamas. It actively blocks a key COVID-19 component called the spike protein, which allows the virus to infiltrate host cells. Early tests suggest the lab-created antibody could be used to treat COVID-19 infections and deactivate the virus.

A new hope for antibody therapies

The findings were published in the journal Cell, with co-senior author Jason McLellan saying, "This is one of the first antibodies known to neutralise SARS-CoV-2.” An associate professor of molecular biosciences at the University of Texas at Austin, McLellan says the antibody could be used to develop an effective treatment path for patients infected with COVID-19.

"Vaccines have to be given a month or two before infection to provide protection," he says. “With antibody therapies, you're directly giving somebody the protective antibodies and so, immediately after treatment, they should be protected. The antibodies could also be used to treat somebody who is already sick to lessen the severity of the disease.”

The unique immune systems of camelids

When quizzed on why llamas emerged as a candidate for COVID-19 treatments, graduate student and co-first author of the paper Daniel Wrapp referred to their unique defence system against foreign viruses and bacteria. After exposure the immune systems of the camelids produce two kinds of antibodies, one closely resembling the antibodies produced by human and a second, smaller type around 25% of the size. Known as nanobodies or single-domain antibodies, the smaller size allows them to bind to the spike protein and prevent infiltration. It’s this unique feature that intrigued the research team and prompted them to investigate llamas as a potential candidate for developing COVID-19 treatments.

From treating viral infections to harnessing the therapeutic properties of plants, science is at the forefront of healthcare developments. To find out more about the latest techniques and equipment being used in Canadian and North American medical marijuana labs, don’t miss ‘Sample Preparation of Cannabis Plants for Efficient Extraction.’