Delivering antibodies into the brain to treat Eastern equine encephalitis
Efficient and Long-lived Brain Delivery of Neutralizing Antibodies Against Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus for Post-exposure Therapy
A new bispecific-antibody approach aims to carry protective antibodies into the brain to help people exposed to Eastern equine encephalitis virus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11310822 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you've been exposed to Eastern equine encephalitis virus, the virus can enter your brain quickly after inhalation and cause severe encephalitis. Existing neutralizing antibodies can help when the virus is under the skin but often fail after aerosol exposure because they cannot cross the blood-brain barrier to reach virus already in the brain. Researchers are developing bispecific antibodies that bind a brain transporter (CD98hc/LAT1) to ferry neutralizing antibodies into the brain after an IV dose. This proof-of-concept work aims to show rapid, concentrated, and long-lasting antibody delivery to the brain that could stop or clear the virus.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People recently exposed to Eastern equine encephalitis virus or showing early signs of encephalitis could be candidates for this approach in future trials.
Not a fit: Patients with unrelated illnesses or those with already severe, irreversible brain damage from late-stage encephalitis may not benefit from this therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could become an IV therapy that reaches the brain quickly to block or clear EEEV infection after exposure.
How similar studies have performed: Related bispecific antibody strategies to cross the blood-brain barrier have shown promising results in preclinical studies, but this specific approach for EEEV is largely untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tessier, Peter M — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Tessier, Peter M
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.