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.
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Also Read: Casgevy And Lyfgenia: CRISPR-Based Gene Therapies
News Source: The Hindu
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February 23, 2024