Messenger protein could potentially boost vaccine performance

Immune response following vaccination depicted in a microscopy
image of cells investigated in this study (T and B cells). Follicle
showing germinal centre (Bcl6, cyan), naive B cells (IgD, red) and
antigen specific T (CD45.2, blue) and B cells/plasma cells (GFP, green)
Image: Isaak Quast

A study by Monash University researchers has revealed the way a protein important in immune cell signalling can amplify the immune response, which could potentially benefit vaccine design.

The study, led by Department of Immunology and Pathology scientists Professor David Tarlinton and Dr Isaak Quast, is now published in the prestigious journal Immunity.

It identified, in animal models, specifically how the messenger cytokine Interleukin-21 (IL-21) works on the T cells and B cells involved in the body’s immune response.

Findings shed light on autoimmune role in thymus

Associate Professor Menno van Zelm

by Anne Crawford

It has been known for almost three decades that B cells exist in the thymus but their function there has been unclear. Associate Professor Menno van Zelm explored this neglected area and has arrived at world-first findings answering this riddle which may lead to a better understanding of the origin of autoimmune diseases.

Designing a vaccine for ovarian cancer

By Dr Jodie Abramovitch

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the fifth most common cause of cancer-related death among women. Detection of OC is difficult with diagnosis often occurring at an advanced stage. Many women who have undergone conventional treatment, involving surgery and chemotherapy, have a poor prognosis for the 5 years post-treatment.

Past and present members of the Vaccine and Infectious Diseases
Laboratory. (L-R) Sue Xiang, Ying Ying Kong, Rohimah
Mohamud, Qian Gao, Kirsty Wilson, Mutsa Madondo,
Chindu Govindaraj, Magda Plebanski

Dr Sue Xiang and other members of the Vaccine and Infectious Diseases laboratory under Professor Magdalena Plebanski in the Department of Immunology and Pathology are working on developing an effective peptide-based vaccine for OC. Peptide vaccines can induce highly specific immune responses which limits adverse side effects. In two recent studies, they characterised peptides from the human Sp17 protein which is expressed abnormally in many OC cases.