Have you ever kissed someone and regretted it? Have you ever gotten a cold sore from that kiss? Well, if you’re anything like the millions of college kids across America, you might have herpes simplex virus (HSV). Don’t fret though, scientists have made huge strides towards developing a possible cure.
The typical cold sores that many people get is from the virus HSV-1 and the sores some people have on their genitals is from HSV-2; both strains are from the herpesvirus family. When a herpesvirus attacks a host cell, it binds to that cell by attaching itself to a specific spot on the cell’s surface where it fuses. This allows viral DNA to infiltrate the cell. Currently, there is no cure for either strain, but recent discoveries published in Nature may change that fact soon.
Within the herpesvirus, there is a certain protein that the viruses use to bind themselves to human cells. This protein is called glycoprotein B (gB), and scientists have struggled to study the protein before it fuses to the human cells. The protein quickly changes shape when it comes into contact with a host, and that change in shape facilitates infection. The quickness with which gB changes shape has made it hard for scientists to learn about the moment a virus attaches itself to a cell.
Scientists decided they would focus on the state of the protein before it encounters a host to better understand how to pause the virus and prevent it from binding to a host cell.
Researchers began their experiments using alpacas, test subjects known for their immune system’s ability to make nanobodies. Nanobodies are small antibodies produced by alpacas to fight off foreign infections. Scientists predict that if there is a nanobody that could bind to the gB protein, and keep it in its pre-fused shape, the nanobody might prevent the herpes virus from binding to host cells. The researchers compiled a “library” of nanobodies that the alpacas’ immune systems made and tested them against herpes.
The results from the study showed that one nanobody was able to recognize gB before it attached and changed shape. This fusion prevented herpes virus from successfully entering host cells.
This discovery opens the door for a potential nanobody-based treatment for herpes. Researchers could have found the first step into preventing viruses within the herpesvirus family. Luckily, the nanobody worked against HSV-1 and HSV-2, hopefully bringing college campuses a healthier future.
