Can an immunisation technique speed up vaccine development?

Researchers in Germany have pioneered a system for displaying epitopes in mammal cells, potentially revolutionising immunisation studies

Published in Biology Methods & Protocols by Oxford University Press, the paper reveals a promising method to induce targeted immune responses, potentially expediting the development of vaccines.

Vaccine development

At the heart of vaccine development lies the challenge of promoting blood cells to produce antibodies against specific viral proteins. The effectiveness of this process relies on the design and administration of antigens, the viral components used to test the vaccine.

Researchers face the difficult task of isolating these antigens to ensure the development of vaccines that precisely target the intended disease. This process is time-consuming, particularly when dealing with lab-produced antigens that may mutate rapidly.

Overcoming challenges

The German scientists designed a method to address this challenge by fusing antigen proteins into a tetraspanin-derived anchor membrane-bound protein. This innovative approach resulted in the creation of fusion proteins prominently displayed on the surface of human cells.

The exposition of proteins on the cell surface induced the production of antibodies specifically directed against the relevant antigens. These antigens maintain the same conformation and modifications as their counterparts in the virus, as they are produced by cells similar to those naturally infected in the human body.

Maintaining conformation and modifications

The researchers believe this display technology could represent a more reliable immunisation technique, potentially streamlining the laborious process. The study demonstrated the successful induction of antibodies against various proteins, focusing on the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.

Unlike traditional methods that require extensive antigen purification, the developed anchor protein eliminates the need for such time-consuming steps. This efficiency is particularly crucial in the face of rapidly mutating viruses, enabling scientists to respond more swiftly to emerging threats. The researchers are optimistic that this technique could significantly accelerate the immunisation process.

Daniel Ivanusic, one of the paper’s authors, expressed enthusiasm about the potential applications of this technology. He emphasised its significant implications for inducing neutralising antibodies against HIV-1, marking a promising avenue for future research.

The researchers anticipate that their work on the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 is just the beginning of a fascinating journey into a more efficient and effective immunisation technique.