Researchers report engineered antibodies that may change how human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is treated. HCMV is common worldwide, often unnoticed in healthy people, but it poses serious risks for organ transplant recipients, cancer patients and newborns. The CDC describes HCMV as the most infectious cause of birth defects in the United States, and congenital infection affects up to 2% of pregnancies; some estimates place global infection above 80%.
The virus evades immunity by making viral Fc receptors (vFcγRs). These proteins bind to antibodies and prevent them from activating immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells, effectively hijacking the antibody response. A team led by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin engineered IgG1 antibodies with precise changes in the regions the virus targets. The altered antibodies avoid vFcγR binding while retaining the ability to recruit NK cells.
In laboratory experiments the engineered antibodies blocked virus spread between cells and significantly reduced viral dissemination in infected cell cultures. The technique may also apply to other herpesviruses and some bacterial infections. Coauthors include scientists at UT Austin, Cardiff University’s School of Medicine and the University of Freiburg. Researchers are testing combinations with antiviral drugs or vaccines and stress that more testing is needed before clinical use.
Difficult words
- human cytomegalovirus — a common virus that infects humans worldwideHCMV
- engineer — to design or modify something with skillengineered
- antibody — a protein made by the immune systemantibodies
- congenital — present from the time of birth
- viral Fc receptor — a viral protein that binds to antibodiesviral Fc receptors, vFcγRs
- evade — avoid or escape detection by the immune systemevades
- recruit — to call or attract cells to join a response
- dissemination — the process of spreading something widely
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Discussion questions
- What potential benefits could engineered antibodies bring for people at high risk from HCMV? Give reasons based on the article.
- What safety checks or additional tests would you expect researchers to perform before clinical use of these antibodies?
- The article suggests the technique might apply to other herpesviruses and some bacteria. How could this broader use change treatment options for infectious diseases?
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