Researchers from UT Austin, UNC Chapel Hill and NIH have discovered antibodies that can neutralize a wide range of norovirus strains, potentially leading to the development of a broadly protective vaccine and new therapies for gastroenteritis patients.
In a significant leap towards combating norovirus, a team of scientists from The University of Texas at Austin, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the National Institutes of Health has identified antibodies that could pave the way for a broadly effective norovirus vaccine. Their findings, published in Science Translational Medicine, bring new hope to the fight against one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis worldwide.
Norovirus infects over 700 million people annually, resulting in debilitating symptoms, such as severe diarrhea and vomiting. While most individuals recover, the virus can be life-threatening for young children, older adults and those with compromised immune systems. Developing an effective vaccine has posed a substantial challenge due to the virus’s numerous genetic variants and its ability to mutate rapidly.
The research team, leveraging advanced molecular analysis, studied immune responses from participants of an experimental oral norovirus vaccine trial developed by Vaxart. They identified certain participants who produced broadly neutralizing antibodies. These antibodies were found to neutralize a wide array of norovirus strains, including both historical and emerging variants, responsible for approximately 75% of global outbreaks.
“These findings provide critical insights into how the immune system responds to norovirus and pave the way for designing a vaccine that offers broad, long-lasting protection,” co-corresponding author George Georgiou, a professor of molecular biosciences and chemical engineering at UT Austin, said in a news release. “We found antibodies that are very broad in terms of being able to neutralize many different variants that have circulated or are circulating now.”
One of the standout antibodies identified, VX22, targets a previously unknown weak spot in the virus’s structure. This antibody can neutralize noroviruses from multiple genotypes by attacking a highly conserved region in the virus particles. This makes VX22 an exceptionally strong candidate for vaccine development.
“Norovirus cases this winter have surged to twice the two previous annual peaks, which really underscores the fact that norovirus is both prevalent and rapidly evolving, and we need a vaccine against it to reduce the global burden of diseases associated with norovirus,” added first author Juyeon Park, a postdoctoral researcher at UT Austin. “Our findings can better inform the future design of vaccine development against norovirus.”
Norovirus spreads quickly through contaminated food, water and surfaces, often leading to outbreaks in highly populated areas, such as schools, cruise ships and health care facilities. A vaccine that offers protection against multiple strains could significantly reduce infection rates, hospitalizations and the economic impact of the disease.
Additionally, the newly identified antibodies hold promise for post-infection therapies, particularly for immunocompromised individuals who struggle to clear the infection from their systems.
Georgiou highlighted the significance of this discovery in developing potential treatments: “This discovery brings us closer to a vaccine that could provide lasting protection and prevent the devastating effects of norovirus outbreaks, as well as potential treatment for those already infected.”
The research team is now focused on refining the vaccine’s design and testing its efficacy across broader populations, including vulnerable groups such as the elderly and young children.
Source: UT Austin