CRRSP27 Antibody
Description
SC27 Antibody: A Broadly Neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal Antibody
SC27 is a monoclonal antibody identified for its ability to neutralize all known SARS-CoV-2 variants and related coronaviruses.
Key Features:
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Structure: Targets two distinct epitopes on the spike protein:
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Mechanism:
Clinical Data:
Anti-Hsp27 Antibodies and Cardiovascular Disease
Heat Shock Protein 27 (Hsp27) antibodies are linked to coronary artery disease (CAD) severity.
Research Findings:
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Association with CAD:
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Serum anti-Hsp27 IgG titers correlate with CAD severity:
Patient Group Median Anti-Hsp27 Titer (OD) p-value vs. Controls Controls (n=83) 0.21 — CAD− (n=100) 0.39 <0.001 CAD+ (n=300) 0.58 <0.001 3-vessel disease 0.72 <0.05 vs. 1-/2-vessel
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Functional Role:
Comparative Analysis of SC27 and Hsp27 Antibodies
| Feature | SC27 Antibody | Anti-Hsp27 Antibodies |
|---|---|---|
| Target | SARS-CoV-2 spike protein | Human Heat Shock Protein 27 |
| Clinical application | Therapeutic for COVID-19 | Biomarker for CAD severity |
| Development stage | Preclinical (mouse trials) | Clinical research (observational) |
| Mechanism | Viral neutralization | Autoimmune/inflammatory response |
Product Specs
Target Background
KEGG: ath:AT3G21980
Q&A
What is SC27 and how was it identified?
SC27 is a monoclonal antibody that effectively neutralizes numerous variants of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses. It was identified, developed, and provisionally patented by researchers led by Greg Ippolito, Ph.D., from the University of Texas at Austin (now at Texas Biomedical Research Institute), along with Jason Lavinder, Ph.D., and Ralph Baric, Ph.D., from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Notably, SC27 was found in individuals following vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, unlike similar antibodies that were previously only detected following natural SARS-1 infection .
What makes SC27 different from other COVID-19 antibodies?
Unlike other COVID-19 antibodies that have been rendered ineffective as SARS-CoV-2 evolves, SC27 targets and attaches to multiple parts of the virus's spike protein, including sections that are not mutating as frequently. This makes it more difficult for the virus to escape treatment through mutations. SC27 belongs to a "class 1/4" antibody type that attaches to two distinct areas (epitopes) of the spike protein, providing broader neutralization capabilities .
What is the mechanism of action for SC27?
SC27 works through two primary mechanisms:
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It blocks the ACE2 binding site, which the virus uses to bind to, enter, and infect cells
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It binds to a hidden or "cryptic" site on the underside of the spike protein that remains largely unchanged (conserved) between variants
This dual-binding mechanism allows SC27 to broadly recognize variants and related viruses, making it more difficult for viruses to evade neutralization .
What is the breadth of neutralization efficacy demonstrated by SC27?
The researchers tested SC27 against 12 viruses, ranging from the original SARS-CoV-2 to currently circulating variants, as well as SARS-1 and several coronaviruses found in bats and pangolins. The antibody demonstrated effective neutralization against all tested viruses in vitro and protected mice against both BA.5 and XBB.1 variants, demonstrating 100% protection in the animal models tested .
What are the potential implications of SC27 for future vaccine development?
The discovery that mRNA vaccines can generate robust antibodies like SC27 has significant implications for future vaccine design. The researchers suggest that future vaccine development can be tailored to generate these more effective antibodies, providing a clear metric for measuring which vaccines will be most effective. This could potentially lead to vaccines that offer broader protection against emerging variants .
What experimental models were used to validate SC27's efficacy?
SC27's efficacy was validated through:
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In vitro neutralization assays against 12 viruses from the original SARS-CoV-2 to currently circulating variants
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In vivo protection studies in mouse models against BA.5 and XBB.1 variants
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Structural binding studies to determine interaction with the spike protein's epitopes
Next steps include preclinical studies in larger animal models, including nonhuman primates, which are considered the gold standard for evaluating complete immune system responses before safely advancing to human clinical trials .
How is neutralization breadth quantitatively measured for antibodies like SC27?
The neutralization breadth of SC27 has been systematically evaluated across multiple parameters:
| Parameter | Value/Outcome |
|---|---|
| Neutralization breadth | 12 SARS-CoV-2 variants + 4 animal coronaviruses |
| In vivo efficacy | 100% protection in mice against BA.5 and XBB.1 |
| Origin | Derived from hybrid immunity (vaccination + infection) |
This comprehensive testing provides a quantitative basis for comparing SC27's effectiveness against other therapeutic antibodies.
What patient populations might benefit most from SC27-based therapies?
SC27 could potentially benefit immunocompromised patients who are unable to receive vaccines or mount sufficient immune responses to vaccination. Additionally, it could serve as an emergency treatment during future outbreaks of new variants or novel coronaviruses. The broad neutralizing capability of SC27 makes it particularly valuable for vulnerable populations and for pandemic preparedness .
What are the current development stages and future research directions for SC27?
Currently, SC27 is in the preclinical research phase. The team is looking to collaborate with industry partners to further develop the SC27 monoclonal antibody treatment. Future steps include:
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Conducting preclinical studies in larger animal models, including nonhuman primates
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Evaluating complete immune system responses to the treatment
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Proceeding to human clinical trials if preclinical results remain promising
The research team holds a provisional patent for SC27, indicating potential for commercial development if clinical trials demonstrate safety and efficacy .
How does SC27 differ from other antibody therapies used for different diseases?
Unlike traditional bispecific T cell engagers (BTEs) that have been effective for blood cancers but challenging to develop for solid tumors, SC27 represents a different approach to antibody therapy. While BTEs like those being developed for kidney cancer work by redirecting T cells to target cancer cells, SC27 functions through direct neutralization of viral particles by binding to specific protein regions. The following table compares SC27 with other antibody approaches:
| Feature | SC27 Antibody | Other Antibody Therapies (e.g., Kidney Cancer BTEs) |
|---|---|---|
| Target | SARS-CoV-2 spike protein | Disease-specific antigens (e.g., CA9 for kidney cancer) |
| Mechanism | Direct viral neutralization | Immune cell redirection/activation |
| Challenge | Viral mutation | Tumor microenvironment |
| Development stage | Preclinical | Varies by therapeutic (some in clinical trials) |
This comparison highlights the disease-specific approaches necessary in antibody therapy development .
What implications does SC27 have for pandemic preparedness?
The broad neutralizing capabilities of SC27 suggest it could serve as an emergency treatment during future outbreaks of new SARS-CoV-2 variants or related coronaviruses that might emerge. This represents a significant advancement in pandemic preparedness, potentially offering a therapeutic option that remains effective even as viruses evolve. Having such broadly neutralizing antibodies available could be crucial in responding quickly to future coronavirus threats .
How might SC27 inform the design of next-generation vaccines and therapeutics?
The discovery that SC27 was generated following mRNA vaccination suggests that vaccine design could be optimized to specifically elicit similar broadly neutralizing antibodies. Future vaccine development could be tailored to target the conserved regions of viral proteins that SC27 recognizes, potentially creating vaccines with broader and more durable protection. Additionally, understanding the binding mechanisms of SC27 could inform the design of other therapeutic agents aimed at these conserved viral targets .
