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A team of scientists at Scripps Research in La Jolla, ⁤CA has developed an innovative antibody that‌ effectively blocks the ⁣harmful effects of snake venoms from various species found in Africa, Asia, ⁣and Australia. ‍This‌ groundbreaking discovery has shown promising results in​ protecting mice from⁣ the deadly consequences of venomous snake bites, including those from the notorious black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) and the ⁢king cobra ⁢(Ophiophagus hannah). The study, published in the February 21, 2024 issue of Science Translational Medicine, highlights the potential of ⁢this antibody to be​ used as a universal antivenin for all venomous snake species.

The⁣ king cobra is the ‌longest venomous snake on the planet. Photograph by Heiko‍ Kiera/Shutterstock

To⁢ achieve this breakthrough, the ⁣researchers ‌utilized synthetic laboratory toxins to ‌screen⁣ billions of human antibodies and‍ identify one​ that can effectively block the toxins’ activity. This extensive screening process led to the⁤ discovery ⁣of an antibody that shows potential in neutralizing the effects of‌ venom from various snake species. The team believes that this is a significant step‌ towards developing a universal‌ antivenin that can be used to treat venomous snake bites.

Black mamba. NickEvansKZN/Shutterstock

“This⁣ antibody targets ‌one of the major toxins found ⁤in the venom of numerous snake species, which is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths every year,” says senior author​ Joseph Jardine, ‍PhD,​ assistant professor of immunology and microbiology at Scripps Research. “This could be a game-changer for ‍people in low- and middle-income countries,​ where snakebites are a​ significant burden.”

Jardine⁢ and his team previously worked on studying how “broadly neutralizing antibodies against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can target areas ⁤of the virus ⁣that cannot mutate.”⁢ This research led them to believe that their work with HIV could also ⁣be applied to finding a universal antivenin. They discovered that snake venoms also have⁤ areas within the toxin that cannot mutate, similar ⁣to⁤ HIV, and an⁤ antibody that ⁤targets this‌ non-mutating region could potentially work against all variants of the toxin.

New Human ‌Antibody Could Result in Universal Antivenin ​for ⁢Venomous Snake Bites

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The team‍ of ⁣researchers⁣ focused on⁣ studying venom proteins from snakes of the Elapidae genus, including mambas, cobras, and kraits. Their research revealed that a single‌ protein, called three-finger toxins (3FTx), is present in all venomous elapid snakes and contains small sections that⁢ are similar among different species. This protein is responsible for causing complete body paralysis, making it an ideal target for ‍the antibody.

After‍ screening around 3,800 antibodies, the team narrowed it‌ down to 30 potential candidates. They found that one particular antibody, called 95Mat5, showed the strongest interactions⁣ with the toxin variants. This antibody was effective in blocking the 3FTx protein from the many-banded⁤ krait and ⁣other ⁣venomous elapids.

The researchers then‍ tested the 95MAT5‌ antibody on mice that were injected with venom from the many-banded krait (Bungarus multicinctus), the‍ Indian spitting cobra (Naja kaouthia),⁣ black mamba,‍ and king cobra. The results​ showed that not only‍ were the mice protected⁣ from paralysis, but they also did not ⁣die from the toxin injections.

This ⁢is where their research on HIV came into play, as⁤ the 95MAT5 antibody was⁢ highly effective in ‍blocking the 3FTx ‍variants, mimicking the structure of a human protein, similar to how broadly acting HIV antibodies ​mimic a human protein.

“It’s remarkable that for two different problems, the human ⁢immune system has converged on a very similar solution,” Jardine says. “It’s also ⁣exciting to see that we can create an effective ​antibody entirely synthetically, without the need for animal immunization or using any snakes.”

The team ⁤also discovered that while the 95Mat5 antibody was effective against all elapid venoms,‍ it did not work on snakes from the Viperidae family. ⁤As a result, Jardine and his⁤ colleagues are now working on developing an antibody that ⁢can target viper toxins. If successful, combining this antibody with the 95Mat5 could ‌potentially lead ⁣to‍ a universal antivenin for ​most, if not ‌all, snake venoms.

The full study, “Synthetic development of a broadly neutralizing antibody against snake⁣ venom long-chain α-neurotoxins,” can be​ found on the Science Translational Medicine website.

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The post Universal ⁤Antivenin for Venomous Snake Bites May Be Within Reach appeared⁣ first ⁤on Reptiles Journal.

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