Genetically engineered vaccines could reduce common allergies
More effective vaccines against common allergies could be developed in the future using genetically engineered allergen derivatives, new research suggests.
Researchers engineered a hypoallergenic form of the birch pollen allergen
and used it to vaccinate 124 patients known to be allergic to the pollen.
In the double-blind placebo-controlled study the patients received a
course of subcutaneous injections containing increasing doses of the
trial vaccine before the flowering season. Subjects were then screened
throughout the year for antibodies indicating an allergic reaction had
taken place.
The results show that patients vaccinated with the pollen produced increased
amounts of IgG antibodies, which inhibit release of inflammatory mediators.
Levels of allergen-specific IgE antibodies normally induced by birch
pollen were reduced, leading to a decline in symptoms. The researchers
suggest that IgG antibodies may neutralise intruding allergens at mucosal
sites and prevent them from inducing allergic inflammation and activating
memory IgE production, which could otherwise lead to progression of the
response from mild to severe.
They conclude that vaccination with genetically engineered allergen derivatives
not only reduces allergic reactions but also reduces the IgE production
underlying the disease.
The study is published in the Online Early Edition of PNAS (Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences www.pnas.org). |
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