New technique moves closer to HIV & Hepatitis C vaccines

Plans for a new type of DNA vaccine to protect against the deadly HIV and Hepatitis C viruses have taken an important step forward, with researchers applying for a patent based on new research. The work has focused on utilizing the so-called "accessory" or "messenger" cells in the immune system, called dendritic cells, to activate an immune response. These are a type of white blood cell that play a key role during infection and vaccination. These are a type of white blood cell that play a key role during infection and vaccination.

The research is still in the pre-clinical phase, with a patient study due next year.

For further details, see the following paper in Immunology & Cell Biology:

Tessa Gargett, Branka Grubor-Bauk, Tamsin J Garrod, Wenbo Yu, Darren Miller, Lee Major, Steve Wesselingh, Andreas Suhrbier, Eric J Gowans. Induction of antigen-positive cell death by the expression of Perforin, but not DTa, from a DNA vaccine enhances the immune response. Immunology and Cell Biology, 2013; DOI: 10.1038/icb.2013.93

Posted by Tim Sandle