Development of a Potential New Tuberculosis Vaccine in Mice

Understanding Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). It poses a significant threat as it can remain in a host without showing symptoms for an extended period before becoming active. In 2017, TB was responsible for approximately 1.6 million deaths worldwide.

Current Vaccination Landscape

The only currently available and effective vaccine for tuberculosis is the Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG). While BCG is beneficial for infants requiring protection, it is not suitable for long-term immunity and is not recommended for individuals with compromised immune systems. With the emergence of new and dangerous TB strains, there is a pressing need to explore alternative vaccine options.

Research on New Vaccine Approaches

Considerable research efforts are underway to investigate various potential vaccines and their modes of administration. A recent study conducted by Ashhurst and colleagues focused on an early-phase tuberculosis vaccine that combines two proteins typically found in Mtb with an immune system stimulant, known as an adjuvant. This combination aims to enhance the immune response during actual Mtb infections.

Testing in Laboratory Mice

To evaluate the efficacy of this new vaccine, it was tested in the lungs of laboratory mice. The results indicated a successful immune response characterized by T-lymphocyte activity, IL-17, and TNFα production. These immune responses suggest promising protection against actual tuberculosis infections in the tested mice.

Comparison with BCG Vaccine

The effectiveness of the new tuberculosis vaccine was compared to that of the BCG vaccine. Some mice received the new vaccine, while others were given BCG before being exposed to Mtb through inhalation. The findings revealed that the new tuberculosis vaccine provided a level of protection against Mtb similar to that of BCG.

Future Research Directions

While the initial results are promising, the new tuberculosis vaccine’s protective effects have so far only been demonstrated in mice. Future research will require comprehensive studies, including toxicology assessments and clinical trials, to determine the vaccine’s safety and efficacy for human use.

References

Ashhurst AS. Mucosal Vaccination with a Self-Adjuvanted Lipopeptide Is Immunogenic and Protective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Med Chem. 2019. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00832.

News Release: EurekAlert!. Exciting new vaccine targets killer disease TB. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). (2019). https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-08/ci-env082219.php