Baltimore,
MD (12/05/98)- The successful production of anti-herpes antibodies in
soy plants could represent a cheap and efficient method for creating vaccines,
report researchers at Johns Hopkins University.
The researchers genetically modified soybeans to produce human antibodies
to herpes simplex virus two, and then compared the activity of the antibodies
to those produced by the current standard, mammalian cell culture. In animal
studies, the soy-produced antibodies showed similar stability in human semen
and cervical mucus, as well as similar efficacy in preventing herpes infection.
Most research with monoclonal antibodies has focused on the therapeutic potential
these proteins might provide against cancer and infectious disease. The current
research takes a different tack, aiming to produce antibodies that might be
used as a vaccine to be applied topically. So far these studies have been
conducted only with mice, the scientists believe monoclonal antibodies produced
by plants could work well as a cheap and efficient topical lubricant for prevention
of herpes worldwide.
"Everybody wants to lower their manufacturing costs, but we're talking about
several orders of magnitude of difference in thinking," said Hopkins biophysicist
Kevin Whaley. "Right now, people are using the antibodies for therapeutic
purposes, and it costs from $200 to $1,000 a dose. We believe we can bring
the costs for preventative applications down to pennies per application. As
a public health product, this will be the biggest bang for the buck."
Before human trials with the soy-produced proteins can begin, the potential
vaccine will have to undergo further safety testing. Following the success
with genetically modified soy, the researchers are now working on producing
even more effective antibodies in corn, hoping to develop a topical lubricant
that could serve to prevent sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy.
"Eventually, these microbicides may merge contraceptive technology with
sexually-transmitted disease technology and create the breakthrough we're
hoping for in the field of reproductive health," Whaley said. "As costs go
down, there will be the move to universal precautions, just like washing your
hands after you use the bathroom, brushing your teeth after you eat, and having
safe sex."
The research is reported in the December 1998 issue of the journal "Nature
Biotechnology."
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