In a groundbreaking study, scientists from The University of Sydney and The University of Liverpool have made significant strides in snakebite treatment by identifying a commonly available blood thinner, heparin, as a potential antidote for cobra venom.
This discovery, detailed in a scientific paper, showcases the innovative use of CRISPR gene modification technology and opens the door to more affordable and accessible treatments for snakebite victims.
The Deadliest Neglected Tropical Disease
Snakebites are a major health crisis in many parts of the world, particularly in tropical regions. The authors of the study describe snakebites as “the deadliest neglected tropical disease,” noting that they claim around 140,000 lives annually, with another 400,000 people left permanently disabled. Despite the severity of the issue, snakebite treatment remains largely overlooked especially in regions where these incidents are most prevalent.
Cobras, which belong to the Elapidae family of snakes, are particularly dangerous due to their venom’s ability to attack multiple systems in the body. Cobra venom not only causes necrosis, or tissue death, at the stie of the bite, but it also targets the nervous system, potentially affecting the heart and brain. The complexity and potency of cobra venom make it a formidable threat to human health.
The Challenge of Antivenom Accessibility
One of the significant challenges in treating snakebites is the high cost and limited availability of antivenom. In many countries where cobra bites are most common, antivenom can cost up to seven times the average daily wage, putting it out of reach for many victims. Furthermore, pharmaceutical companies often discontinue the production of antivenoms due to their lack of profitability, exacerbating the crisis in affected regions.
In response to these challenges, the research team turned to CRISPR technology to explore alternative treatments. By modifying human cells to be resistant to snake venom, they were able to study the mechanisms by which venom infiltrates and damage cells. This innovative approach led to the discovery that the cell pathway responsible for producing heparan and heparin – a pathway conserved across all known animal species – play a crucial role in how cobra venom operates.
Heparin: A Potential Lifesaver
Heparin, commonly used as a blood thinner, emerged as a key player in the study. Professor Greg Neely and his team found that cobra venom targets the “heparan/heparin sulfate biosynthesis pathway,” a critical component in the body’s defense against venom. The venom binds to heparin, found on the cell surface, and to heparin, released during an immune response. By attacking this pathway, the venom gains access to cells and begins its destructive work.
The researchers leveraged this knowledge to repurpose heparin as an antidote. By flooding the bite area with exogenous heparin – essentially decoy molecules – they could distract the venom, allowing the body’s natural heparin to remain intact and protect the cells from necrosis.
“Heparin is inexpensive, ubiquitous, and a World Health Organization-listed Essential Medicine,” says Ph.D. student and lead author, Tian Du, who like Professor Neely, resides at the University of Sydney, working in functional genomics. “After successful human trials, it could be rolled out relatively quickly to become a cheap, safe, and effective drug for treating cobra bites,” he adds.
A Broader Implication for Antivenom Research
Cobras are notorious for the severity of their bites, particularly in parts of Asia and Africa, where they are responsible for more deaths and amputations than any other snake group. The potential of heparin as an antidote represents a significant step forward in making snakebite treatment more accessible and affordable, especially in regions where it is most needed.
Moreover, the study’s findings have broader implications for antivenom research. The researchers believe that their method could be adapted to develop treatments for other venomous creatures.
In a video explainer, Professor Neely highlights that there aren’t many fundamentally different kinds of venom across the animal kingdom. Therefore, cracking the code for one type of venom could pave the way for the rapid development of other antivenoms.
One of the teams’ next targets is the blue bottle jellyfish, an exceptionally toxic species found in Australia. The three-finger toxins present in cobra venom are also found in this jellyfish, making it a prime candidate for further research using the same methodology.
CRISPR’s Potential to Serve the Vulnerable
When CRISPR gene-editing technology first entered public consciousness, there were concerns that it might be monopolized by wealthy nations for aesthetic or superficial purposes, such as enhancing beauty or prolonging life.
However, this study exemplifies the potential of CRISPR to be used for the greater good, directly benefiting some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable populations. The use of CRISPR in this context is not only innovative but also deeply inspiring, as it offers hope for more effective and equitable healthcare solutions.
Recommended For You
