Hepatitis E is a disease caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV), which affects the liver and can produce symptoms such as abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Although in most cases it is usually asymptomatic, in other cases it can produce acute and self-limiting infections; in more severe cases, it may lead to acute liver failure.
Because it is an emerging disease, research to improve its detection and treatment is ongoing.In this context, it Developed MultiHEP-NanoDetect, A kit that can quickly detect the disease. This is an auspicious project developed by Lorena Arce, postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Advanced Biology (INSIBIO, CONICET-UNT), under the guidance of Guadalupe Vizoso Pinto, and Itatí Ibáñez, researcher at the Institute of Physical Chemistry. Materials, Environment and Energy (INQUIMAE, CONICET-UBA).
Vizoso Pinto, INSIBIO researcher and one of the architects, explains: “Hepatitis E occurs in multiple species, which is why our project focuses on detecting antibodies against this virus in humans and animals such as pigs, wild boars, deer and dogs of antibodies.” He added that this development “focuses not only on clinical diagnosis but also on the early identification of animal diseases, which could allow it to be used on pig farms, for example, to detect it before it affects humans.”
Likewise, it states that zoonotic forms of hepatitis E (that is, it can be transmitted from animals to humans) are transmitted through contact with specimens or products derived from them. This could include eating contaminated pork or improperly cooked wild boar.
The role of nanobodies
One of the novelties of the program is the use of nanobodies, small molecules produced in the laboratory based on the immune response of previously immunized llamas. But to understand this, it’s important to clarify that antibodies are proteins that seek out and attach to specific parts of a virus or pathogen to help the immune system fight it.
To work, these tiny antibodies specifically target the coronavirus’s antigens – which the body’s immune system recognizes as foreign and responds by creating an immune response, such as producing antibodies and specialized cells to attack and destroy the coronavirus. of intruders. E, which makes their detection very efficient.
Another advantage: the use of Nanobodies allows rapid and economical production of reagents in the laboratory compared to conventional reagents used in commercial kits.
What’s so special about this project?
This is the first multi-species serology kit based on hepatitis E virus nanobodies produced in Argentina. In addition, “the kit has higher detection sensitivity and specificity, allowing for epidemiological studies and facilitating early and accurate detection to take prevention and control measures of hepatitis E,” Arce said, adding: “Because it is produced locally, it has greater accessibility in clinical and veterinary centers, as it has lower production costs and is easy to preserve, which will allow substitution and reduction of imports.
Regarding the impact of the project, the scientists emphasized that this is a major advance that is expected to contribute to better control and prevention of hepatitis E in different species. In fact, by combining nanobody technology with early detection in animals, the door is opened for more effective ways to protect human and animal health.