Trinity College Dublin Scientists Make Vaccine Breakthrough

Posted on: 08 May 2009

Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered a brand new protein in the immune system which  if targeted  has the potential of developing more effective vaccines.  The research team, led by Professor of  Biochemistry, Luke O’Neill of  TCD’s School of Biochemistry and Immunology, have found a protein which they have named TAG.   TAG  limits a key process in the body that is needed for vaccines to work.  “If we can now devise a way to interfere with TAG, we may be able to boost experimental vaccines for diseases such as HIV and malaria “, explained Professor  O’Neill.  The findings are published online in the world leading Immunology journal, Nature Immunology.

A key challenge in vaccine research is to get the immune system to respond appropriately to a vaccine. TAG limits the action of another protein called Tram.  Tram is normally triggered during an immune response by vaccines which have components sensed by the immune protein called TLR4.  “Tram  is pivotal to vaccine research. It has been shown by scientists to be necessary for vaccines to work. Subsequently, the discovery of a Tram blocker such as TAG is also very significant”, said Professor O’Neill.  “In effect, Tram is the accelerator for vaccines with TAG acting as the brake.  If TAG is targeted in a manner akin to lifting the foot from the brake on the immune response, it could lead to better vaccines for diseases where there is a compelling need. “

Lead scientists  included Dr Eva Palsson McDermott, Dr Sarah Doyle and Dr Anne McGettrick  of Trinity College Dublin and involved a collaboration with the Universities of Massachussets and Trondheim. The research was funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). 

“The discovery of TAG would not have been possible without the funding from SFI, and  it is an excellent example of how basic research is needed to improve the prospects of developing the biotechnology sector in Ireland,” said Professor  O’Neill, who is also a co-founder and Director of Opsona Therapeutics, a Trinity College campus biotechnology company focused on novel therapeutic and preventative approaches to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.