Immune Molecules From a Llama Could Provide Protection Against a Vast Array of SARS-like Viruses Including COVID-19, Researchers Say
https://www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2022/immune-molecu…
intercst
2 Likes
Maybe.
“Single polypeptide chains” tend to provoke antibody/immune responses i.e. allergies.
And other protein fragments proposed as potential therapies have shown kidney toxicity in human trials.
But, yes, promising and academically interesting. We’ll just have to wait.
As far as “bad for llamas” - using large animals as ongoing serum donors not a new concept, although obviously less fun for the animals than just hanging out in a field chewing, and spitting at passers-by.
I recall a story from the late 80s - too lazy to look up the reference at the moment - that an expensive orphan drug, derived from horse serum and known as “anti-thymocyte globulin”, ATG, became suddenly less effective because “the best horse died”
An any event, this harvesting seems more humane, say, than keeping a horse perpetually in a family way so as to harvest PREgnant MARes urINE for Premarin (for the period before it could be synthesized)
- sutton
biologic sciences nerd
1 Like
As far as “bad for llamas” - using large animals as ongoing serum donors not a new concept, although obviously less fun for the animals than just hanging out in a field chewing, and spitting at passers-by.
Medical use for humans has been horrible for the Massachusetts horseshoe crab population. They bleed them for their crab blood which is apparently worth $15,000/quart. Don’t know how many crabs you need to bleed to get the quart.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/medical-labs-may-…
Come to think about it, I’d like to see a map of where in the US a human can rent an apartment for the value of their monthly plasma donations.
intercst
2 Likes
No argument re: the horseshoe crabs.
The biology is fascinating, but the population decimation is unforgivable.
I am very very very very tired of my species.
- sutton
likes his dogs, though
3 Likes
Is it bad news for llamas since they’re not being paid for their donation?
PSU
Is it bad news for llamas since they’re not being paid for their donation?
Well, they are getting room and board. Not exactly cash compensation, but they’ve got food and a place to sleep. That’s worth something. 