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Category: Immunology (page 5 of 7)

02.11.2013

a new tuberculosis vaccine falls short

tuberculosis

Tuberculosis bacteria

A new study of the potential tuberculosis vaccine, modified Vaccinia Ankara virus expressing antigen 85A (MVA85A), has failed in a study of 3000 infants in South Africa. Scientists had hoped it would help improve protection against the infection when used with the current vaccination (BCG). The study was a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial of healthy infants (aged 4—6 months). The infants were randomly administered BCG with either MVA85A or a placebo of Candida skin test antigen then examined every 3 months for up to 3 years. During the course of the trial, the rates of serious or systemic infection from tuberculosis were similar for the group that received the new vaccine enhancer compared to those given the placebo. The researchers did note that the MVA85A does appear to be safe and that no adverse effects were cause by the antigen itself. This was the first efficacy trial of a tuberculosis vaccine in infants in more than 45 years. More details here at The Lancet [subscription required].

01.02.2013

antibiotics in panda blood

May 3, 2011: National Zoo female giant panda Mei Xiang.

Researchers have discovered a powerful antibiotic in the bloodstream of giant pandas. From The Telegraph:

Scientists have discovered that the animals, of which there are around 1,600 in the wild, produce a powerful antibiotic in their blood stream that kills bacteria and fungi.

They believe the substance could be used to create potent new treatments against drug resistant superbugs and other diseases.

The antibiotic is thought to be released by the bear’s immune system to protect them infections when they are living in the wild. Researchers discovered the compound, known as cathelicidin-AM, after analysing the panda’s DNA.

…

The Chinese researchers found that the cathelicidin-AM, which is produced by immune cells in the animal’s blood, was found to kill bacteria in less than an hour while other well known antibiotics took more than six hours.

Ed Yong lists reasons why no new drugs will likely come from the discovery.

12.20.2012

engineered algae

Green Algae

Green algae.

Scientists are trying to figure out a way to reduce costs of producing targeted cancer treatments. Popular Science highlights a research group who engineered algae to produce and antibody conjugated with a fragment of the toxic protein, exotoxin A, from P. aeruginosa.

But recently, a group of scientists at University of California, San Diego engineered algae to produce a human antibody with a built-in toxic weapon–a ready-made molecular cancer assassin. The researchers produced the new therapy by embedding the genetic code of the toxin P. aeruginosa into a human antibody gene, which they then spliced into the algae’s DNA.

In their research paper, the scientists note that this feat has been attempted before, using bacteria instead of algae, but the bacteria weren’t capable of folding the complex antibody into the right shape, so the method required a researcher to follow along behind and refold the proteins. The new therapy could not be produced by mammal cells, either, the researchers write, because the presence of the toxin would prohibit the engineered cells from reproducing.

If the new treatment is able to stand up to the battery of medical trials required by law, the targeted, assassin-style fight against cancer may soon get a lot more affordable.

More here and here.

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