What's Happening?
An international team of scientists, utilizing artificial intelligence, has identified a crucial viral protein that could lead to more effective vaccines and treatments for the monkeypox virus (MPXV). The study, published in Science Translational Medicine,
highlights the use of AI to pinpoint a protein called OPG153, which could serve as a target for new vaccines or antibody therapies. This discovery comes as MPXV, which can cause severe symptoms and has a high mortality rate among vulnerable groups, continues to pose a global health threat. The research team, led by Jason McLellan from The University of Texas at Austin, used the AlphaFold 3 model to predict the protein's interaction with antibodies derived from recovered patients. The findings suggest that OPG153 could be a valuable target for developing new treatments that are easier and cheaper to produce than current smallpox vaccines, which are used to protect against MPXV.
Why It's Important?
The identification of OPG153 as a potential target for monkeypox vaccines and treatments is significant due to the ongoing threat posed by the virus, which affected over 150,000 people in 2022. Current vaccines, derived from smallpox, are costly and complex to manufacture. The new approach, focusing on a single protein, could simplify production and reduce costs, making vaccines more accessible. This development is particularly crucial for protecting high-risk groups such as children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals. Additionally, the research could have implications for smallpox, a related virus, potentially leading to improved vaccines and treatments for this historically deadly disease.
What's Next?
The research team is working on refining the identified antigen and antibodies to enhance their effectiveness and manufacturability. Their goal is to develop next-generation vaccines and antibody therapies that can be tested in human trials. The University of Texas at Austin has filed a patent for the use of OPG153 as a vaccine antigen, while the Fondazione Biotecnopolo di Siena has filed a patent for antibodies targeting this protein. These steps indicate a move towards clinical applications, which could revolutionize the approach to combating both monkeypox and smallpox.
