“Inverse Vaccine” Could Reverse Symptoms Of Multiple Autoimmune Diseases
September 13, 2023 6:22 PM Subscribe
"In a mouse model of a multiple sclerosis-like disease, researchers used an inverse vaccine where pGal was linked to myelin proteins. They found that the immune system stopped attacking myelin, to the point where nerves regained their function and symptoms were reversed."
dm'd you clawsoon
posted by bongerino at 6:57 PM on September 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by bongerino at 6:57 PM on September 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
I can't say I understood much of the original study, but it was interesting to read that they followed up the mouse research with an experiment on macaques in which they vaccinated them against simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) to provoke an immune response, then "de-vaccinated" them using this approach.
They also mention that they first used this molecular technique back in 2019 with a mouse model of type 1 diabetes, in the paper "Synthetically glycosylated antigens induce antigen-specific tolerance and prevent the onset of diabetes". But it sounds like in that case they prevented the autoimmune disease, while in this case they're reversing it.
Skimming through a couple of review papers that mention the earlier study, it seems that the significance of mentioning the role of the liver is that these sorts of approaches have mostly focused on the spleen in the past, the spleen being specialized for this sort of immune system thing.
Looks like they have an eye firmly on commercialization if this approach works out, via the company Anokion that a number of the researchers are part of.
posted by clawsoon at 8:27 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
They also mention that they first used this molecular technique back in 2019 with a mouse model of type 1 diabetes, in the paper "Synthetically glycosylated antigens induce antigen-specific tolerance and prevent the onset of diabetes". But it sounds like in that case they prevented the autoimmune disease, while in this case they're reversing it.
Skimming through a couple of review papers that mention the earlier study, it seems that the significance of mentioning the role of the liver is that these sorts of approaches have mostly focused on the spleen in the past, the spleen being specialized for this sort of immune system thing.
Looks like they have an eye firmly on commercialization if this approach works out, via the company Anokion that a number of the researchers are part of.
posted by clawsoon at 8:27 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
where does this fall on the spectrum of "actually good news" and "press release masquerading as actual news?"
posted by From Bklyn at 3:39 AM on September 14, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by From Bklyn at 3:39 AM on September 14, 2023 [6 favorites]
where does this fall on the spectrum of "actually good news" and "press release masquerading as actual news?"
It seems like one of those things where we'll know the answer to that question in 5-10 years.
posted by clawsoon at 4:38 AM on September 14, 2023 [11 favorites]
It seems like one of those things where we'll know the answer to that question in 5-10 years.
posted by clawsoon at 4:38 AM on September 14, 2023 [11 favorites]
(Potentially) exciting stuff!
posted by Foosnark at 5:17 AM on September 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Foosnark at 5:17 AM on September 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
So… once the labs are fusion powered. Gotcha
posted by From Bklyn at 3:25 PM on September 14, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by From Bklyn at 3:25 PM on September 14, 2023 [3 favorites]
From the article:
"Some phase I, clinical safety trials have already been carried out using a similar method to treat celiac disease – an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack itself after consuming gluten – and trials are in the works for multiple sclerosis too."
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 6:14 PM on September 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
"Some phase I, clinical safety trials have already been carried out using a similar method to treat celiac disease – an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack itself after consuming gluten – and trials are in the works for multiple sclerosis too."
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 6:14 PM on September 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
There has never been a better time to be a mouse with multiple sclerosis(-like disease).
(And thank you for posting. This is interesting. Gotta start somewhere.)
posted by fruitslinger at 6:28 PM on September 14, 2023 [5 favorites]
(And thank you for posting. This is interesting. Gotta start somewhere.)
posted by fruitslinger at 6:28 PM on September 14, 2023 [5 favorites]
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posted by clawsoon at 6:39 PM on September 13, 2023