Promising Liver-Targeting Vaccine Shows Long-Term Protection Against Allergic Asthma in Mice

Researchers have developed an innovative "inverse vaccine" that could potentially revolutionize the treatment of allergies, offering long-lasting protection against allergic reactions. The groundbreaking study, published in Science Translational Medicine on April 16, demonstrates the vaccine's ability to reduce allergic asthma reactions in mice for at least a year after treatment.

Novel Approach Targets Liver to Induce Tolerance

The vaccine, developed by a team led by Jeffrey Hubbell, Ph.D., a biomedical engineer at New York University, employs a unique strategy to combat allergies. Unlike traditional vaccines that stimulate an immune response against pathogens, this inverse vaccine aims to promote tolerance to specific allergens.

The key to this approach lies in delivering deactivated allergens directly to the liver. By attaching a mannose sugar to the allergens, researchers transformed them into "tolerogens," effectively nullifying their ability to trigger allergic responses. When these modified allergens reach the liver, they induce the production of regulatory T cells, which play a crucial role in calming overactive helper T cells responsible for allergic reactions.

"One thing I really like about this approach is that it has memory," Hubbell explained. "You just take the drug and then that's that."

Promising Results in Mouse Models

The study focused on mice allergic to either an egg protein or a dust mite protein, both common models for respiratory allergies. After receiving the vaccine, these mice exhibited reduced airway inflammation and mucus levels when exposed to their respective allergens.

Notably, mice with an established egg protein allergy maintained protection for a full year following two intravenous doses of the vaccine administered one week apart. This long-lasting effect suggests the potential for a significant improvement over current allergy treatments, which often require frequent administration or ongoing exposure to allergens.

Potential Applications Beyond Respiratory Allergies

While the current study focused on allergic asthma, researchers are already exploring the vaccine's potential in other areas. J. Emiliano Gómez Medellín, Ph.D., a molecular biologist at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and co-author of the study, is adapting the technique for food allergies.

"Preliminary mouse data shows the technique may confer protection there too," Medellín noted, highlighting the vaccine's potential versatility.

Hubbell emphasized the importance of demonstrating the vaccine's efficacy against multiple types of allergens, including those found in peanuts and cow's milk. This broad applicability could position the inverse vaccine as a "generalizable concept" for treating various allergies.

As the research progresses, the team is considering options for further development, including the possibility of starting a new biotech company or partnering with an existing one to advance the therapy towards clinical trials.