Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have made a leap forward in understanding how to fight off the potentially deadly MRSA bacteria. They demonstrated in an animal model that targeting a key inhibitory immune molecule (IL-10) during injection improved the vaccine's ability to protect against infection.
Researchers have made significant progress in the fight against MRSA by targeting the immunosuppressive molecule IL-10 to increase the effectiveness of vaccines. Their results show that neutralizing IL-10 can enhance the immune response and help clear the bacteria in animal models.
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the leading causes of community- and hospital-acquired bacterial infections, killing more than 1 million people worldwide each year. Unfortunately, antibiotics are increasingly less effective against this bacteria, and antibiotic-resistant MRSA causes the greatest number of deaths in high-income countries.
As a result, scientists are focused on finding solutions to reverse Staphylococcus aureus-related infections. One of the attractive options is a vaccine, and while some progress has been made on this front in recent years, there are still some significant obstacles. One obstacle appears to be the ability of S. aureus to suppress the immune response by turning on a natural breakpoint present in the immune system, an important immunosuppressive molecule called interleukin-10 (IL-10), which reduces inflammation in the body.
The interesting thing about Staphylococcus aureus is that in addition to being a deadly pathogen, this bacterium lives in or on us but causes no harm. However, during these asymptomatic interactions, the bacteria affects the immune response - meaning that when the S. aureus vaccine is administered, it is difficult for the immune system to respond appropriately.
In research results published today (July 8) in the authoritative journal "JCI Insight", researchers found in animal models that if subjects are immunized with a vaccine so that their immune systems respond to infection and produce antibodies that neutralize IL-10, the immune response (through specialized T cells) will be improved, and the bacterial clearance rate will also be improved in subsequent infections.
Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacteria found on the skin and nose of many people. Although Staphylococcus aureus is usually harmless, if it enters the body through a cut or other wound it can cause a range of mild to serious infections. Infections include skin problems such as boils and impetigo, as well as more serious problems such as pneumonia, blood infections and endocarditis. A particularly concerning aspect of S. aureus is its ability to become resistant to antibiotics, particularly MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), which is difficult to treat and is known for causing serious hospital infections.
The research team was led by Rachel McLoughlin, Professor of Immunology in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College Dublin. Rachel, Professor of Immunology in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College Dublin, said: "Taken together, our findings offer great promise for a novel strategy that could improve the efficacy of vaccines developed to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus infection.
"Our work also strongly suggests that previous exposure to this bacterium may create a situation where our immune system no longer sees it as a threat and is therefore unable to respond appropriately to the vaccine due to the creation of this immunosuppressive state. This again highlights why immunization with something that helps neutralize IL-10 brings new hope for effective prevention against S. aureus."
Compiled from /ScitechDaily