Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is widespread and usually causes no symptoms in healthy people, but it can harm organ transplant recipients, cancer patients and newborns. The CDC calls HCMV the most infectious cause of birth defects in the United States, and congenital infection affects up to 2% of pregnancies worldwide. Some estimates put global infection rates above 80%.
HCMV makes viral Fc receptors (vFcγRs) that bind antibodies and stop them from activating immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells. A team led by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin engineered IgG1 antibodies with altered regions so the virus cannot bind them. The antibodies still trigger NK cells and, in lab tests, blocked spread between cells and reduced viral dissemination in infected cultures.
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 they say more testing is needed before clinical use.
Difficult words
- cytomegalovirus — a common virus that can cause serious infections
- congenital — present at birth or before birth
- antibody — a protein the immune system makes to fight germsantibodies
- immune — relating to the body's system that fights infection
- receptor — a protein on cells that binds specific moleculesreceptors
- engineer — to design or change something for a purposeengineered
- dissemination — the process of spreading something widely
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could engineered antibodies help people at high risk from HCMV?
- Why do you think researchers want more testing before clinical use?
- Would you feel confident using a new antibody treatment after lab tests? Why or why not?
Related articles
Brown study suggests targeting mTORC2 could help fight cancer
Researchers at Brown University report that blocking the mTORC2 protein complex, while leaving mTORC1 active, may stop cancer growth signals without triggering survival pathways. The work offers a new direction for designing cancer drugs.
Virtual diet and exercise program helps people with lymphoma
A study tested a virtual diet and exercise program for people getting chemotherapy for lymphoma. The program improved symptoms, attendance was high, and participants had better strength and physical performance during treatment.
Clock disruption speeds breast cancer in models
New research finds that repeating disruption of the body’s 24-hour clock changes breast tissue, weakens immune defenses and leads to faster, more aggressive breast cancer in experimental models. The study links altered light–dark schedules to worse outcomes.