Tech News Summary:
- A new technology that enhances the potency and breadth of vaccine-induced responses through antigen presentation has been demonstrated in a recent study published in the Cell Journal.
- The technology, called EABR, exhibited several attractive features compared to conventional mRNA and protein nanoparticle-based vaccine approaches, and it provides hope for longer-lasting protection against SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses by improving the potency and amplitude of vaccine-induced responses while reducing the frequency of booster shots needed to maintain neutralizing antibody levels.
- The study utilized enveloped virus-like particles (eVLPs) self-assembled into an endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) and ALG-2-interacting protein X-binding region (ALIX) of severe acute respiratory disease syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike cytoplasmic tail to generate eVLPs presenting a wide range of surface proteins for COVID-19 vaccines and other therapeutic applications.
Scientists have developed a revolutionary technology that could significantly boost the potency and effectiveness of vaccines. The breakthrough technique focuses on improving “antigen presentation,” which is the process through which a vaccine triggers an immune response by presenting a piece of the pathogen to the immune system.
The new technology, developed by researchers at the University of Oxford, enhances the immune system’s response by using a synthetic molecule to mimic the presentation of the antigen as it would appear in an actual infection. The molecule, called a “lipitoid,” has a unique structure that allows it to present the antigen in a way that activates different types of immune cells.
According to the researchers, the lipitoid molecule could be added to existing vaccines to make them more effective. In early animal studies, the lipitoid-enhanced vaccine was found to be up to 100 times more potent than the standard vaccine.
The technology could have a significant impact on global health, particularly in the fight against infectious diseases such as COVID-19. Vaccines have been a critical tool in controlling the pandemic, but the emergence of new variants has raised concerns about their effectiveness.
The new approach to antigen presentation could potentially help to overcome these challenges by enhancing the immune response to the pathogen. The researchers are now conducting further studies to determine the potential for clinical use.
“This technology could represent a paradigm shift in vaccine design,” said Professor Quentin Sattentau, who led the research. “It has the potential to make vaccines much more effective, which could help to control infectious diseases and save countless lives.”