Newswise — Researchers from the University of Surrey and the University of Oxford have made significant strides in the development of a vaccine candidate aimed at safeguarding children from Meningococcal group B (MenB), a bacterium known for causing meningitis.
According to an announcement, the vaccine candidate has successfully advanced to the clinical development stage. The breakthrough was detailed in a paper published in Science Translational Medicine. In this study, the scientists employed an existing vaccine delivery platform, similar to those utilized for combating Covid-19 and Ebola, to efficiently produce the targeted component of the MenB bacteria. This crucial component triggers the immune system to generate protective antibodies, potentially paving the way for an effective vaccine against MenB.
Professor Christine Rollier, who was previously affiliated with Oxford University as Associate Professor in Vaccinology at the Oxford Vaccine Group and later moved to the University of Surrey, stated:
"Our research faced a significant hurdle, which involved adapting viral-based vaccine platforms known for generating antibodies against diseases like rabies and SARS-CoV-2 to combat bacterial infections like MenB."
To tackle this obstacle, the team utilized vaccine platforms designed to express a crucial protective protein known as "factor H binding protein." These specialized vectors were put to the test to determine their capability in consistent protein production and their potential to elicit a robust immune response in mice.
Having identified a promising vaccine candidate, the team proceeded to enhance its suitability for human use by making subtle structural modifications and subjecting it to additional testing on mice with immune systems resembling those of humans. As a result of these efforts, the vaccine candidate has now advanced to the clinical development stage.
Professor Rollier emphasized that while their MenB vaccine demonstrated robust, consistent, and enduring protection against the severe bacteria in mice with just a single dose, they recognize the intricacies of the human immune system. As they move forward, they maintain a cautious sense of optimism regarding its capacity to elicit comparable protective responses in human subjects.
"Furthermore, the utilization of genetic vaccines, such as the one we have developed, represents a promising stride in the battle against bacterial illnesses."
MenB bacteria pose a serious threat, leading to life-threatening infections such as meningitis and sepsis. Notably, MenB is the primary group responsible for 90% of meningococcal infections in the UK, as reported by the NHS. While these infections can impact individuals of all ages, they are particularly prevalent among infants and young children. Tragically, MenB infections can be fatal, with approximately 1 in 20 affected children succumbing to the disease.
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