Recently emerged coronaviruses, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), have presented a serious threat to global public health.

While a lot of attention has focused on developing vaccines and antiviral drugs, new research suggests that natural antibodies could provide a promising solution for controlling MERS, a disease that has no specific treatment or cure.

What is MERS?

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by the MERS coronavirus. It was first identified in 2012 in Saudi Arabia and has since spread to other countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe.

As of September 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 2,542 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS, including 881 deaths, with most cases reported in Saudi Arabia.

How Does MERS Spread?

MERS is a zoonotic disease, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans. The virus is believed to have originated in bats and was transmitted to camels, which act as a reservoir for the disease.

People can become infected with MERS by coming into contact with infected camels or by close contact with infected individuals, such as family members or healthcare workers. MERS can also spread in healthcare settings, particularly in hospitals.

Symptoms of MERS

Most people infected with MERS develop severe respiratory illness with symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, which can progress to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

People with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease, are more likely to develop severe MERS and more likely to die from the disease.

Why Natural Antibodies Offer a Promising Solution for MERS Control?

Developing vaccines for MERS has proven to be a challenging task, given the complexity of the disease and the limited knowledge about how the virus replicates in humans.

While antiviral drugs have shown some promise in treating MERS, they are not specific to the virus and can have serious side effects. In contrast, natural antibodies present a potentially safe and effective treatment for MERS.

Natural antibodies are produced by the immune system in response to an infection and are specific to the invading pathogen.

Studies have shown that people infected with MERS develop natural antibodies to the virus, which can help in controlling the disease. By isolating and purifying these natural antibodies, scientists can develop monoclonal antibodies, which are identical copies of the natural antibodies and can be used as a treatment for MERS.

Monoclonal antibodies have been used successfully in treating other diseases, such as cancer and autoimmune disorders.

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They work by binding to specific molecules on the surface of the pathogen, preventing it from infecting cells and triggering an immune response against the pathogen. Monoclonal antibodies can be produced in large quantities and have a relatively low risk of adverse effects compared to other treatments.

Recent Progress in Developing Monoclonal Antibodies for MERS

Several research groups have been working on developing monoclonal antibodies for MERS, with promising results.

A recent study published in Science Translational Medicine reported the development of human monoclonal antibodies to MERS, which showed potent neutralizing activity against the virus in vitro and in animal models.

The study was conducted by a team of researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in collaboration with researchers from the University of Hong Kong and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The team isolated monoclonal antibodies from two survivors of MERS and engineered them for increased potency and stability.

The monoclonal antibodies were then tested in vitro and in mice, where they showed potent neutralizing activity against the virus.

Another study published in Science Advances reported the development of llama-derived nanobodies against MERS. Nanobodies are small antibody fragments that are easier to produce and distribute than full-sized monoclonal antibodies.

Due to their small size, they can penetrate tissues more effectively, making them ideal for treating respiratory diseases such as MERS. The study was conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Texas Medical Branch.

The Potential Use of Monoclonal Antibodies in Treating MERS

The potential use of monoclonal antibodies in treating MERS has been demonstrated in animal models and is now being tested in phase I clinical trials in humans.

The trials are designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a human monoclonal antibody against MERS, developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.

The antibody, known as REGN3048-3051, was developed using a combination of techniques, including isolating and characterizing natural antibodies from MERS survivors and optimizing their therapeutic potential.

The antibody works by binding to the MERS virus and blocking its entry into host cells. The antibody has shown promising results in animal models, where it reduced viral titers and improved survival rates.

Conclusion

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) remains a serious threat to global public health, with no specific treatment or cure. Natural antibodies offer a promising solution for controlling MERS, through the development of monoclonal antibodies.

Recent progress in developing monoclonal antibodies against MERS has shown promising results, with the potential for safe and effective treatments for the disease.