Generative Deep Learning Design of Single-Domain Antibodies Against Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus.

ABSTRACT:

Background/objectives

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) represents a significant biothreat with no FDA-approved vaccine currently available, highlighting the need for alternative therapeutic strategies. Single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) present a potential alternative to conventional antibodies, due to their small size and ability to recognize cryptic epitopes.

Methods

This research describes the development and preliminary evaluation of VEEV-binding sdAbs generated using a generative artificial intelligence (AI) platform. Using a dataset of known alphavirus-binding sdAbs, the AI model produced sequences with predicted affinity for the E2 glycoprotein of VEEV. These candidate sdAbs were expressed in a bacterial periplasmic system and purified for initial assessment.

SUBMITTER: Liu JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12101358 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature