Study: The Immune System Can Be Reprogrammed to Produce Rare Antibodies

SadaNews - Researchers may have discovered a new way to make the body produce beneficial proteins, including some highly effective antibodies that are typically difficult to produce, by reprogramming the immune system, according to a report by Reuters.

Traditional vaccines stimulate immune cells called B cells to produce antibodies that recognize pathogens. Some viruses, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), protect their most vulnerable parts behind sugar molecules that resemble the body’s own tissues, thus largely evading the immune system.

Broadly neutralizing antibodies can surpass these shields, but they typically come from cells that are rarely produced and arise only after a long and complex mutation process. Researchers explained in the journal Science that most people never produce them, even if they undergo precise vaccination programs.

Researchers wondered if they could embed permanent instructions within the stem cells that produce B cells, so that these cells could later make a potent type of antibody. If successful, every future B cell produced would carry these same instructions and be ready to act when given a vaccine.

The team used gene-editing tools (CRISPR) to introduce the genetic blueprint for producing rare and protective broadly neutralizing antibodies directly into immature stem cells, which were then injected into mice. These stem cells later developed into B cells programmed to produce genetically modified antibodies.

Only a few dozen modified stem cells implanted in the mice were needed to stimulate the production of large quantities of broadly neutralizing antibodies that lasted for a long time.

This method successfully generated antibodies for HIV, influenza, and malaria, according to a commentary published with the report. The researchers stated that modified human stem cells using the same approach also resulted in functional immune cells, indicating that this method might one day succeed in humans.

Harald Hartwig, the study leader from Rockefeller University, mentioned the potential applications of these techniques in the future to address a wide range of health issues. He added, "Among these will, of course, be antibodies for HIV, but also solutions addressing protein deficiencies and metabolic diseases, as well as antibodies to treat inflammatory diseases, influenza, or those related to cancer."

He said, "This is a step in that direction, demonstrating the feasibility of manufacturing life-saving proteins."