Using lessons learned during the Covid-19 pandemic, scientists have created an innovative platform to develop rapid diagnostic tests based on purified horse antibodies that are cheaper and easier to obtain than traditional monoclonal antibodies. This will not only improve preparedness and response during health emergencies, but also give low- and middle-income countries greater autonomy in managing their own public health needs.
The progress is the work of an interdisciplinary research team from the Leloir Institute Foundation (FIL) and the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), both institutions in Argentina.
The research project was directed by Daiana Capdevila, CONICET researcher at the Biochemical Research Institute of Buenos Aires (IIBBA, dependent on CONICET and FIL) and director of the Laboratory of Physicochemistry of Infectious Diseases of the Leloir Institute Foundation, and Ana Sol Peinetti , Researcher and Researcher of the Chief Council of the Laboratory of Bionanotechnology at the Institute of Chemistry, Physics of Materials, Environment and Energy (INQUIMAE, dependent on CONICET and the University of Buenos Aires (UBA)).
Capdevila, Peinetti and their colleagues succeeded in developing new open access lateral flow tests (LFTs), whose main input is a purified polyclonal horse antibody developed in Argentina and which would be more accessible than other commercial antibodies, difficult to obtain during infectious diseases epidemics.
According to these scientists, its efficiency is similar to that of commercial monoclonal antibody tests, and its sensitivity and selectivity are achieved through a special purification method.
Unlike monoclonal antibodies, which are produced in a laboratory and are very specific for a particular antigen (a protein from a virus, for example), polyclonal antibodies are isolated directly from the serum of an animal that has been exposed to the substance to which they are intended. to activate the immune response and can recognize multiple regions on the surface of an antigen. Even if they are less concrete than the former, the truth is that they also manage to achieve their objective very well, as the Argentine team demonstrated.
“We isolated, in horse serum, the most useful antibodies against a protein found within the SARS-CoV-2 virus and with them we generated rapid diagnostic tools to detect COVID-19 in humans,” describes Capdevila and clarifies: “The study was carried out with the virus that caused the latest pandemic, but it is a method that can be applied to other infectious diseases in epidemiological contexts where diagnostic tools are extremely limited”.
The new prototype analytical test is based on purified horse polyclonal antibodies. (Photo: FIL/CONICET. CC DA 2.5 AR)
Local solutions
When a health emergency occurs, as happened with the Covid-19 pandemic, demand for some healthcare products increases and bottlenecks occur which affect the supply of basic medical items, which has an impact especially in countries that do not they have their own development and depend on imports.
In this sense, the authors of the study highlight the need to develop national manufacturing capabilities in developing countries to ensure a robust supply chain of products, such as analytical tests, that will help address future infectious epidemics.
The purified horse polyclonal antibodies were obtained in collaboration with Matías Fingerman, CONICET researcher at the Anlis-Malbrán Institute, with extensive experience in this field. The research team also includes, among others, CONICET specialists from IIBBA, Andrea Gamarnik, Julio Caramelo and Marcelo Yanovsky, as well as the first author of the work and Doctoral Fellow of the Council at the Institute of Basic and Applied Microbiology (IMBA ) of the National University of Quilmes, Estefanía Peri Ibáñez.
“With the equipment we have today we have the capacity to produce 5 million test units per year, which could be sold in pharmacies,” says Peinetti, underlining that the technology is being adapted for other viruses for which it is currently available . It is absolutely necessary to have rapid tests. “We are dealing with dengue right now, so we can have more tools to deal with epidemics like last season,” he concludes.
The R&D team presents the technical details of its latest advances in the academic journal Biosensors, under the title “Overcoming Limited Access to Virus Infection Rapid Testing: Development of a Lateral Flow Test for SARS-Cov-2 with Locally Available Resources.” (Source: FIL/CONICET. CC DA 2.5 AR)
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news, where we delve into the most pressing scientific breakthroughs. Today, we are joined by Daiana Capdevila, a leading researcher from CONICET and the Leloir Institute Foundation in Argentina. Daiana, thank you for taking the time to speak with us.
Daiana Capdevila: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to share our work.
Interviewer: Let’s dive right in. Your team has developed a revolutionary platform utilizing purified horse antibodies for rapid diagnostic tests. How did the lessons learned during the Covid-19 pandemic influence this research?
Daiana Capdevila: The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted many gaps in public health preparedness, especially in low- and middle-income countries that face challenges in accessing effective diagnostic tools. Our goal was to create an alternative that would be both affordable and accessible, enabling these countries to better manage their health emergencies independently.
Interviewer: This is certainly a step forward for global health equity. Can you explain the advantages of using horse polyclonal antibodies over traditional monoclonal antibodies?
Daiana Capdevila: Absolutely. Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific and need to be produced in controlled lab environments, which can be resource-intensive and time-consuming. In contrast, polyclonal antibodies are derived from the serum of horses – animals that have been exposed to various antigens. This approach allows us to recognize multiple sites on an antigen, enhancing sensitivity and effectiveness. Plus, the purification process we developed makes these horse antibodies much easier to obtain during health crises.
Interviewer: That’s indeed fascinating! You mentioned that your tests demonstrate efficiency comparable to existing commercial tests. How does the purification method contribute to achieving the desired sensitivity and selectivity?
Daiana Capdevila: Our purification method is key. It helps us isolate the most effective antibodies from the horse serum, ensuring they retain their ability to recognize the targeted proteins, such as those from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This careful purification means that even though these are polyclonal antibodies and less specific than monoclonal antibodies, they still perform exceptionally well in detecting infections.
Interviewer: Your research seems to have great implications not just for Covid-19, but for future infectious disease management. What other diseases could this method potentially be applied to?
Daiana Capdevila: Our approach is versatile. While we specifically examined SARS-CoV-2, the methods we’ve developed can be adapted to various infectious diseases. This is particularly valuable in settings where conventional diagnostics are limited. For instance, we could apply this to diseases like Zika or Dengue, improving rapid response capabilities.
Interviewer: That’s an encouraging prospect! How important is it for countries to develop their own diagnostic solutions, especially in the context of a global health emergency?
Daiana Capdevila: It’s crucial. During the pandemic, many countries faced supply chain bottlenecks due to heavy reliance on imports. By empowering nations to develop their own diagnostic tools, we foster greater autonomy and resilience. This conscious investment in local solutions can significantly enhance global health security.
Interviewer: Definitely a vital lesson emerged from the pandemic. Lastly, what do you envision as the next steps for your research, and how can interested parties support your work?
Daiana Capdevila: We aim to further validate our tests with a broader range of pathogens and refine our purification techniques. We’d welcome collaborations with public health entities and NGOs that share our vision of equitable access to diagnostic tools. Support from the scientific community and funding for expansion is always essential as well.
Interviewer: Thank you, Daiana, for sharing your insights and exciting developments. Your work shines a light on innovative solutions for global health challenges. We look forward to following your team’s progress!
Daiana Capdevila: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure discussing our work with you.