This article discussed new antibodies that are being tested against the Ebola virus. Finding that the Ebola virus had to have a host cell (NCP1) to reproduce, scientists were able to create an antibody to render this cell useless. These antibodies are called monoclonal antibodies and they bind to and neutralize specific pathogens. However, using these antibodies proved to be difficult since Ebola resides deep in the cell, in the lysosomes, and is hidden from the bodies immune system. Scientist found a way around this by combining two different types of bispecific antibodies, one that neutralizes the protein that attaches to NCP1 and one that neutralizes NCP1. These bispecific antibodies have a common monoclonal antibody which is called FVM09 and this allows the bispecific antibodies to enter the cell's lysosomes and disable NCP1 so Ebola cannot reproduce and spread to the rest of the body.
I thought this article was really interesting since I love learning about how diseases function. It's fascinating that Ebola needs a host cell to reproduce and that it cannot do so without. So by just inhibiting this cell, scientists are able to disable the Ebola virus. This is groundbreaking research that could potentially be the cure to Ebola which has been a huge problem in Western Africa. There has even been cases in the United States and this could end the fear of it breaking out again.
I found this very interesting, especially with the Ebola scares of this past year. Hopefully content like this is what is taught in a pathophysiology class (that I will be taking in the future). I think it is fascinating that scientists were able to observe Ebola to such a degree to figure out that the virus resides in the lysosomes and how to deactivate not only the proteins that attach the host cell, but the host cell itself. I imagine this type of observation and discovery is similar to other viruses and the scientists, knowing this, had a starting point to treat Ebola. Good post.
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This article is very insightful about Ebola. I love learning about viruses and how they function. It is very cool how most viruses have to have a host cell to reproduce. It is also very awesome how Ebola resides in the lysosomes which is like the cell digestive system. I have never heard of another virus that resides there. Very cool article and awesome information to know.
ReplyDeleteHow does Ebola's location in the cell make it more difficult to combat with antibodies? The cell is not that big of a place to hide, it seems like it would still be susceptible to anything that could cross the cell's membrane. -- D.S.
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