Synthetic Antibody To Neutralise Deadly Snake Bite Toxin Developed

February 23, 2024

GS Paper III Science and Technology

Context:

A synthetic antibody (human) has been developed to neutralise a potent neurotoxin produced by snakes by scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) Bengaluru.

Synthetic Antibody Neutralises Deadly Snake Bite Toxin: IISc Study

It can neutralise a potent neurotoxin produced by the Elapidae family of highly toxic snakes, which includes the cobra, king cobra, krait and black mamba.
Process Used: An approach previously used to screen for antibodies against HIV and COVID-19 was applied in order to synthesize the new venom-neutralising antibody and develop antibodies for snakebite treatment.
- The researchers used human-derived cell lines to produce the antibody, bypassing the need to inject the venom first into animals like horses.

Significance of the IISC Research

Initiate development towards a universal antibody solution that can offer broad protection against a variety of snake venoms.
As compared to the conventional anti venoms in use the efficacy of the antibody was found to be nearly 15 times.
The antibody can neutralises venom even with delayed administration which is a major weakness in the conventional antivenoms used for snakebite at present.
- For example: The conventional product only worked well when injected alongside the venom and a delay of even 10 minutes significantly reduced the potency of the conventional antivenom.
The side-effects like fatal anaphylaxis can be prevented because the antibody is fully human derived.

Snake Bite in India: Statistics

India: It is home to over 300 species of snakes of which 60 species are known to be venomous.
Statistics: As per a systematic literature studies, In India around 58,000 deaths occur of an estimated 3-4 million snakebites annually which accounts for half of all snakebite deaths globally with Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan recording most deaths.
Dedicated steps: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has launched a national programme for prevention and control of Snakebites in 2022 making it the first country in Asia.
World Health Organisation: It has categorised ‘snakebite envenoming’, a medical term for snakebite, as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) globally.
Anti -snake venom in India: India uses polyvalent ASV which is developed using venoms of common Indian cobra (Naja naja), common krait (Bungarus caeruleus), Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) and saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus).

Antibodies

They are also called as immunoglobulin.
They are proteins produced by the immune system of a person when an unwanted substance or Antigen enters their body.
- An antigen: It is a foreign substance that enters a body which can include bacteria, viruses, fungi, allergens, venom and other various toxins.
Antibodies bind to these antigens in order to eliminate them from your system.
Produced by: They are produced by the B cells (plasma white blood cells).
- The B cells divide and clone themselves when they come into contact with an antigen. These cloned B cell then release millions of antibodies into our bloodstream and lymph system.
Present in: They are located in various areas of our body, including skin, lungs, tears, saliva and even breast milk (colostrum)
Types:
- IgG(This is the most common antibody, making up approximately 70% to 75% of all immunoglobulins in your body mainly in blood and tissue fluids and protect from viral and bacterial infections),
- IgM (Found in blood and lymph system they act as the first line of defense against infections and protects from bacterial and viral infections)
- The other 3 types are IgA, IgD, IgE
Monoclonal antibodies: They are lab created antibodies which mimic our immune system’s natural ability to fight off pathogens. It is a type of immunotherapy.

Also Read: Casgevy And Lyfgenia: CRISPR-Based Gene Therapies

News Source: The Hindu

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