95% of people carry this virus and scientists may have just found how to stop it

Breakthrough research using humanized mice yields potent antibodies that block the ubiquitous Epstein-Barr virus from infecting cells, opening a path to prevention. | Contesto: cronaca

Punti chiave

• 95% of people carry this virus and scientists may have just found how to stop it

Contesto

In a landmark development for virology and public health, a team of scientists has successfully engineered human-like antibodies capable of completely blocking infection by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in laboratory models. The research, published this week, represents the most promising advance yet toward controlling a pathogen carried by an estimated 95% of the global adult population. The breakthrough hinges on antibodies that prevent the virus from latching onto and infiltrating human immune cells, a fundamental mechanism it has exploited with near-universal success for decades. The Epstein-Barr virus, a member of the herpesvirus family, is famously difficult to combat. After initial infection, often occurring in childhood and presenting as mild or asymptomatic, the virus establishes a lifelong, latent presence in the body's B cells. This stealthy persistence has been the central obstacle for researchers. While most carriers live without issue, EBV is a known catalyst for severe medical conditions, including multiple sclerosis, certain autoimmune disorders, and cancers such as Hodgkin's lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. The sheer ubiquity of the virus means that even a small percentage of cases leading to serious illness translates to a significant global health burden. The research team circumvented a major historical hurdle by employing a novel animal model: mice genetically engineered to carry key components of the human immune system, specifically human antibody genes. These "humanized" mice allowed the scientists to provoke and then harvest a robust, fully human-like antibody response against EBV. This approach was critical because the virus has evolved to expertly target human cells, making traditional animal models insufficient for developing effective human therapies. From this process, the researchers isolated several exceptionally potent antibodies that target the virus's glycoproteins, the surface proteins it uses as a key to unlock and enter B cells. In subsequent experiments using lab models that incorporate human immune cells, one standout antibody demonstrated sterilizing immunity. It...

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Categoria: cronaca