via AI.Nony.Mous
Finding could revolutionise how all vaccines could be made to be longer lasting
The SARS-Cov-2 pandemic illustrates how variable vaccines can be in their length of efficacy, with regular boosters needed to keep people protected. In comparison, the immunity generated by a single vaccination against the measles virus can last decades.
It has always remained a scientific mystery as to why only some vaccines lead to life-long protection. Now a paper published in the journal, Immunity, led by Prof. David Tarlinton and Dr Marcus Robinson, both from Monash University’s Central Clinical School in Melbourne, Australia, has found that the clue likely lies in the body producing a unique subtype of an immune cell in response to some but not other vaccinations. The finding could revolutionise how all vaccines could be made to be longer lasting.
Vaccines trick our immune cells into thinking the body has been infected. In response, we produce antibodies to fight off what is perceived as an infection. According to Dr Robinson, “most vaccines work by generating high levels of antibodies against these invaders, but how long these antibodies persist in the body is highly variable by vaccine,” he said. “Now we know that the clue is in whether vaccines generate a special subtype of immune cell that produces antibody for long times to fight off infection indefinitely.”
Using an animal model, the researchers studied the lifespan of antibody-secreting cells, identifying surface markers on these cells that indicated longevity. The scientists used a method called ‘timestamping’, which effectively tracks individual antibody-secreting cells across their entire lifespan. “We found those cells with particular markers on them were more likely to be long lasting. They also expressed really distinct patterns of genes, so we think longevity is programmed into the cell.” Dr Robinson said.
“It is these cells we need to target when developing vaccines we want to provide long-lasting protection.”
Importantly the researchers also found that there is a maximum number of these long-lasting antibody-secreting cells the body can hold at any one time, and they generally reside in special sites in tissues like the bone marrow – so improved vaccines will need to focus on maintaining these reservoirs of long acting cells, according to Dr Robinson.
Original Article: Making vaccines longer lasting
More from: Monash University
The Latest Updates from Bing News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Long lasting vaccines
- SAVVY SENIOR: Three vaccines seniors should consider getting this fall
As for side effects, you should know that the Fluzone High-Dose and Fluad vaccines can cause more of the mild side effects that can occur with a standard-dose flu shot, like pain ...
- Access to new coronavirus vaccine frustrates providers, parents
Panicked parents scouring Facebook and X for success stories with a fervor not seen since the first vaccines were released. This is what care looks like in the Washington region as America enters ...
- She’s a health policy expert. She still had trouble getting her Covid-19 vaccine
Like many people across the US who’ve gone to a pharmacy in the hopes of getting one of the newly updated Covid-19 vaccines, Cynthia Cox walked away disappointed, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.
- Don’t believe the feds’ fearmongering about long COVID
In my experience of treating thousands of patients over two decades, people can be very forgiving if you are honest with them. If public-health officials want to regain the public trust, they ...
- As Covid Infections Rise, Nursing Homes Are Still Waiting for Vaccines
Now that the U.S. government has stepped back from issuing vaccines, long-term care operators have yet to start administering shots to protect one of the most vulnerable populations.
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Life-long protection vaccines
- Subsidy for shingles vaccine will be a boon for seniors, with many at risk
The recommended Shingrix vaccine now costs $440 a dose at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, and two doses are needed. Read more at straitstimes.com.
- SAVVY SENIOR: Three vaccines seniors should consider getting this fall
As for side effects, you should know that the Fluzone High-Dose and Fluad vaccines can cause more of the mild side effects that can occur with a standard-dose flu shot, like pain ...
- COVID vaccine during pregnancy still helps protect newborns, CDC finds
COVID vaccines are currently approved in the U.S. for children ages 6 months and up, but not the youngest babies. So "these findings indicate that maternal vaccination during pregnancy could help ...
- VBI Vaccines’ pan-coronavirus vaccine candidate produced broad protection against COVID variants of concern
VBI Vaccines Inc. said Wednesday the first clinical data from a Phase I trial of a pan-coronavirus vaccine candidate produced broad and durable protection ... the disease to long-term prevention ...
- If You’re Pregnant, These Vaccines Could Save Your and Your Baby’s Life
The RSV vaccine is the latest in a series of immunizations that could protect pregnant people and their babies from severe disease and death ...
