Scientists have discovered how tardigrade proteins may help stabilize drugs that require refrigeration.
Tardigrade Proteins
Tardigrades are microscopic animals with eight legs that are almost indestructible. According to Live Science, they harbor proteins that may help stabilize vital medical treatments and drugs even without refrigeration. Such findings were published in the Scientific Reports journal.
As per Interesting Engineering, these minute tardigrades have a length of less than half a millimeter. They are oftentimes dubbed scientific marvels.
These creatures have the capacity to withstand extreme temperatures and survive even without water. They may also thrive beyond earth and fight detrimental radiation. Given their remarkable resilience, tardigrades may have a "survival superpower" of some sort.
Now, scientists are looking into tapping this superpower to help preserve medicines even in places or conditions that are not suitable.
The researchers tested the idea by examining human blood clotting factor VIII, which is a protein used for hemophilia (a genetic bleeding disorder) treatment. Because of genetic mutations, individuals with the condition do not produce sufficient factor VIII. Their blood also does not properly clot. People battling hemophilia A spontaneously and excessively bleed.
Treatment of the condition typically involves injecting the protein into the body in order to supply the deficit. Several products for factor VIII need to be refrigerated. The ones that do not require refrigeration can only survive at room temperature for limited periods and temperature ranges.
Tardigrades, however, have a distinct capacity known as anhydrobiosis. This enables them to dry themselves off and enter a suspended animation state. In such a situation, the water may withstand extreme temperatures that can go as low as -328 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
The scientists wanted to see if they could take advantage of this extraordinary resilience and use it for medical treatments.
Resilient Medicines
Thomas Boothby, the study's senior author and a molecular biology assistant professor from the University of Wyoming, notes that the work shows how factor VIII can be stabilized and that there are potentially several other pharmaceuticals that can be stabilized using tardigrade proteins.
The researchers drew out substances from the tardigrade. These were trehalose sugar and a CAHS D (cytoplasmic abundant heat-soluble) protein. The two substances aided in the preservation of the tardigrades as they underwent anhydrobiosis.
The biophysical properties of the substances were tweaked in order to enhance their stabilization capacities. The researchers then used the two to keep factor VIII without the aid of refrigeration in unsuitable conditions. While the two compounds worked, CAHS yielded better results compared to trehalose.
While the authors are hopeful about their clinical and medical applications, this research is still in its early days. The authors note that it may not only help international health initiatives but also assist in fostering a productive and safe space economy. It could help cut dependence on cold-chain food, medicine, and biomolecule storage.
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