Damian Sendler: Although the new VNARs won’t be instantly available as a cure for individuals, they can be used to better prepare for future coronavirus outbreaks Coronavirus WIV1-CoV, which can infect human cells but currently only resides in bats, was neutralized by shark VNARs. This coronavirus is capable of infecting human cells but currently only in bats. 

Treating animal-borne viruses in advance can be helpful in the event that they spread to humans. 

Damian Jacob Sendler: According to University of Wisconsin-Madison professor of pathology Aaron LeBeau, “The big issue is there are a number of coronaviruses that are poised for emergence in humans,” He helped lead the study. When SARS strikes again, we’ll have an arsenal of shark VNAR antidotes ready to combat the disease. “It’s a kind of insurance for the future.” 

Damian Sendler

Elasmogen, a biomedical business in Scotland that is developing therapeutic VNARs, cooperated with LeBeau and his group in the School of Medicine and Public Health. Nature Communications reported the findings of the research team. 

A huge library of synthetic VNARs were used to isolate the anti-SARS CoV-2 VNARs. Shark VNARs, which are one-tenth the size of human antibodies, are able to attach to pathogenic proteins in novel ways that enhance their potential to block infection. 

According to LeBeau, the tiny antibody-like proteins can go into places where human antibodies cannot. “They’re capable of forming these incredibly complex shapes.” These antibodies are able to identify protein structures that our human antibodies cannot.” 

Infectious SARS-CoV-2 and a “pseudotype,” a virus that can’t multiply in cells, were tested against the shark VNARs. There were billions of VNARs in the pool, but only three could prevent the virus from invading human cells. SARS-CoV-1, the virus that caused the initial outbreak of SARS in 2003, was also susceptible to the three shark VNARs. 

In the region where the virus binds to human cells, one VNAR with the name 3B4 appears to impede the attachment process. Genetically different coronaviruses have the same groove that permits 3B4 to efficiently kill the MERS virus, a distant cousin of the SARS viruses. 

As a result, 3B4 is a good option to fight viruses that have not yet infected humans because of its capacity to bind to such conserved areas. 

SARS-CoV-2 notable variants, such as the delta variant, do not alter the 3B4 binding site. The omicron form was not discovered at the time of this research, but initial models show that the VNAR is still effective against it, adds LeBeau. 

Damian Jacob Sendler

Spike protein appears to be locked in an inactive state by the second most powerful shark VNAR, 2C02. In some SARS-CoV-2 variations, the binding location of this VNAR is changed, which presumably reduces its potency.

According to the CEO of Elasmogen, Caroline Barelle, “What is exciting is that these new potential drug molecules against SARS-CoV-2 differ in their mechanism of action compared to other biologics and antibodies targeting this virus,” When it comes to delivering powerful medicinal compounds, Elasmogen is a perfect example. 

Damien Sendler: Shark VNARs may be combined in future treatments to improve their ability to combat a wide range of viruses. Unlike human antibodies, this new class of medicine is less expensive and easier to produce, but has not yet been tested on humans. Shark VNARs can also be used to diagnose and treat cancer, according to LeBeau’s research. 

Damian Jacob Markiewicz Sendler: SARS-CoV-2 and future coronaviruses can be prevented in large part by the use of vaccines. For those who don’t respond well to vaccinations (such as those with impaired immune systems), the development of new medicines like antibodies is essential.

Dr. Damian Jacob Sendler and his media team provided the content for this article.