28 February 2011
Tackling tuberculosis with new antibody treatments
Researchers from the University of Dundee, King’s College London and St George’s, University of London have identified potential new means to treat tuberculosis (TB).
In a study, published in the most recent edition of Journal of Immunology, researchers led by Professor Juraj Ivanyi at King’s, Dr Jenny Woof at Dundee, and Dr Rajko Reljic from St George’s, have developed a monoclonal antibody which was found to offer protection against tuberculosis infection in experimental models when combined with interferon, a modulator of the immune system.
TB remains a recognised global emergency, claiming around two million lives across the world each year, and 2010 saw the largest number of new cases of TB in the UK for over a decade.
Approximately one-third of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for this huge public health problem. Unfortunately, the BCG vaccine used in some countries does not protect against disease in all adults, and drugs need to be delivered for several months.
The problem has been compounded by a dramatic rise in TB strains displaying multiple drug resistance. As a result, new ways to prevent and control tuberculosis are urgently required, and the strategy developed by the London/Dundee teams paves the way toward a previously unexplored form of treatment.
The human monoclonal antibody produced by the team is of the IgA type and can specifically recognise Mycobacterium tuberculosis. IgA antibodies are proteins normally used by the immune system to identify and neutralise foreign microbes like bacteria and viruses within the lungs and intestinal tract.
The human monoclonal antibody generated in the research is a homogeneous antibody preparation with the capability to specifically attach to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium and trigger immune processes that prevent bacterial growth. Although human monoclonal antibodies are widely used to treat various forms of cancer and inflammatory disorders, this is the first demonstration that they might have applicability against tuberculosis.
Dr Woof explained the need to develop new treatments and vaccines for TB, and the potential to develop this research further. 'The number of cases of TB remains very high, and so this is clearly a major problem,' she said. 'Across the world, there are millions of people falling victim to infectious diseases such as TB, so the implications of this research could be considerable'.
'Antibodies exist as five different types in humans, with those of the IgG type already being used in some clinical treatments. Antibodies of the IgA type are slightly different. They possess properties that we believe may be important in governing how this IgA antibody works against TB infection'.
The study, funded in part by the Wellcome Trust and the Dunhill Medical Trust, was the result of a productive collaboration with each team bringing a different sphere of expertise. Professor Juraj Ivanyi at King’s is an international expert in tuberculosis research, while Dr Woof's team in Dundee brought experience in human IgA antibodies. Dr Reljic at St George’s has expertise and special facilities for experimental models of TB infection.
Several years of previous research by Professor Ivanyi, Dr Reljic and their collaborators at the HPA Salisbury and Palermo, Italy provided general ‘proof of concept’ for this sort of approach, while this study opens the road for translating it toward human application.
Professor Ivanyi is based at the Dental Institute at King’s College London, which has a long history of pioneering research into mucosal immunology and vaccines. He said, 'This study brings us much closer to finding new ways to treat tuberculosis, although further research is needed before we can begin to trial this approach in patients.
'I am excited about where this project can lead us in terms of potential new treatments for this devastating disease.'
Notes to editors:
The University of Dundee
The University of Dundee is internationally recognised for its excellence in life sciences and medical research with particular expertise in cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and tropical diseases.
The discovery of the p53 cancer gene by Professor Sir David Lane, FRS, and pioneering research into keyhole surgery by Sir Alfred Cuschieri are two major advances that have had an enormous impact on research around the globe.
The University has a top-rated medical school with research expanding from 'the cell to the clinic to the community', while the College of Life Sciences is home to some of the world’s most cited scientists, among 800 research staff from 60 different countries.
Dundee was rated as the top University in Scotland, and 5th in the UK, in the most recent Student Experience Survey compiled by Times Higher Education.
See www.dundee.ac.uk for further details.
King's College London
A research-led university based in the heart of London, King's has nearly 23,000 students (of whom more than 8,600 are graduate students) from nearly 140 countries, and some 5,500 employees. King's is in the second phase of a £1 billion redevelopment programme which is transforming its estate.
King's has an outstanding reputation for providing world-class teaching and cutting-edge research.
In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise for British universities, 23 departments were ranked in the
top quartile of British universities; over half of our academic staff work in departments that are in
the top 10 per cent in the UK in their field and can thus be classed as world leading. The College
is in the top seven UK universities for research earnings and has an overall annual income of nearly
£450 million.
It is the largest centre for the education of healthcare professionals in Europe; no university has
more Medical Research Council Centres.
King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South
London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts are part of King's Health Partners. King's Health
Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC) is a pioneering global collaboration between one of
the world's leading research-led universities and three of London's most successful NHS Foundation
Trusts, including leading teaching hospitals and comprehensive mental health services. For more
information, visit: www.kingshealthpartners.org.
St George’s, University of London
St George’s, University of London (SGUL), established in 1733, is distinctive as the UK’s only
independent medical and healthcare higher education institution. It benefits from strong links with the
healthcare profession, including a shared site with one of the busiest hospitals in the UK - St George's
Healthcare NHS Trust - in south west London.
SGUL is dedicated to the education and training of doctors, nurses, midwives, physician's assistants,
paramedics, physiotherapists, radiographers, social workers, healthcare and biomedical scientists.
It attracts around 6,000 students, some of whom are taught in conjunction with Kingston University.
Research at SGUL has a UK and international focus and aims to improve prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of disease in areas including infection and immunity, heart disease and stroke, and cell
signalling. It also aims to enhance understanding of public health and epidemiology, clinical genetics,
and social care sciences. www.sgul.ac.uk.
The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation dedicated to achieving
extraordinary improvements in human and animal health. It supports the brightest minds in biomedical
research and the medical humanities. The Trust’s breadth of support includes public engagement,
education and the application of research to improve health. It is independent of both political
and commercial interests. www.wellcome.ac.uk
The Dunhill Medical Trust is a grant-making charitable trust established in 1986.
The Trust originated from the Will Trust of Herbert Edward Dunhill who died in November 1950, leaving
funds for the furtherance of medical knowledge and research. DMT welcomes high quality grant
applications which fall within its charitable objects, particularly those within the following
areas: care of older people, including rehabilitation and palliative care; and research into the
causes and treatments of disease, disability and frailty related to ageing. For further
information: www.dunhillmedical.org.uk.
E-mail: admin@dunhillmedical.org.uk.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277 |
