TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: Scientists at the Institute of Advanced Virology (IAV) in Thonnakkal, Thiruvananthapuram, have developed a groundbreaking method to generate non-infectious Nipah virus-like particles (VLPs) in the laboratory.
EXPLANATION:
- This development is a significant step towards safer and more effective research into the Nipah virus (NiV), a highly pathogenic virus with a fatality rate of up to 80% in affected humans.
- The new method allows crucial tests to be conducted in biosafety level-2 (BSL-2) laboratories, a much safer environment compared to the traditionally required biosafety level-4 (BSL-4) labs.
- NiV is a zoonotic virus from the paramyxovirus family, known for its high fatality rate and severe pathogenicity.
- Due to its high level of danger, research on NiV, especially virus neutralization assays needed for developing antivirals and vaccines, is limited to BSL-4 laboratories, which are scarce and expensive to operate.
The New Technique: Generation of Nipah Virus-Like Particles (VLPs)
- VLPs are molecules that mimic the structural characteristics of viruses but are non-infectious because they lack viral genetic material.
- They retain most viral features, making them ideal for studying viral interactions and immune responses without the associated risks of handling live viruses.
- The IAV team has developed HiBiT-tagged Nipah virus-like particles (NiV-VLPs) using plasmid-based expression systems to encode NiV structural proteins G, F, and M.
- The resulting VLPs are morphologically and functionally identical to the native NiV, but non-infectious.
Benefits of the New Method
- BSL-2 Compatibility: The ability to conduct critical tests in BSL-2 labs significantly reduces the biosafety risks and operational costs associated with BSL-4 labs.
- Broad Application: This method can be applied to other BSL-3 and BSL-4 level viruses, enabling extensive research in safer, lower bio-containment levels.
- Antiviral and Vaccine Development: The inclusion of the HiBiT tag in the VLPs enhances their sensitivity and utility in antiviral drug screening and vaccine development.
- Neutralization Assays: These VLPs facilitate virus neutralization assays, which are essential for evaluating the efficacy of neutralizing antibodies and other therapeutics.
Implications and Future Research
- The concept of HiBiT-tagged VLPs can be extended to various other virulent pathogens, enhancing research across multiple domains of infectious diseases.
- Despite the promising initial results, extensive and rigorous studies are required to validate the efficacy of these VLPs.
- This involves testing multiple neutralizing antibodies and antivirals to confirm their effectiveness in blocking viral entry and neutralizing the virus.
Nipah virus (NiV):
- Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus, meaning that it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
- NiV is transmitted from fruit bats to other animals, such as pigs, and to people through direct contact with their bodily fluids or through contaminated food or water.
- If a person then eats the infected pig meat, they can also become infected with NiV.
- Human-to-human transmission of NiV is thought to occur through close contact with the secretions or excretions of an infected person. This can include contact with the person’s saliva, urine, feces, or respiratory secretions.
- The symptoms of Nipah virus (NiV) infection range from mild to severe.
- Some people may have no symptoms at all, while others may develop encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain.
- Encephalitis can lead to a variety of neurological symptoms, including headache, fever, confusion, seizures, and coma.
- Death can occur in 40-75% of cases.
- The initial symptoms of NiV infection typically appear 4-14 days after exposure to the virus. These symptoms are Fever, Headache, Muscle pain, Vomiting, Sore throat, Cough, Difficulty breathing.
- There is no specific treatment for Nipah virus (NiV) infection. Treatment is supportive and includes providing the patient with fluids, oxygen, and medications to control seizures and other symptoms.
- In some cases, patients may need to be hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU) to receive specialized care.
- Researchers are working to develop specific treatments for NiV infection, but there are currently no licensed drugs or vaccines available.
