The race to find effective coronavirus treatments has led to an unlikely hero: llama antibodies.
What is special about llama antibodies?
Llamas can produce two types of antibodies: large one that is similar to human antibodies and small one that’s only about a quarter of the size.
The small llama antibody could better target viruses because of the small size.
Previous studies found that the small llama antibodies were able to inactivate both SARS and MERS viruses over 6 weeks.
Daniel Wrapp et al., Cell, 181:1-12, 2020
SARS, MERS and COVID-19 belong to the same coronavirus family.
Moreover, Covid-19 shares with SARS the same human cell receptor (ACE2), indicating they enter the human cells via the same lock.
N. Petrosillo, Clinical Microbiology and Infection, March 28, 2020
Llama antibodies will be used in animal tests soon in Belgium.
In the past, scientists had successfully developed the smallpox vaccine
from the cow.
In the future, scientists may develop coronavirus antibodies from the llama.
Do not confuse vaccines with antibodies.
While vaccines have to be given a month before infection to provide protection, antibodies can help the patient’s immune system immediately.
The antibodies are used to treat somebody who is already sick to lessen the severity of the disease.
The whole world is waiting for coronavirus vaccines and antibodies now.
