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In an attempt to find out if a particular protein is a trigger for rheumatoid arthritis, scientists at the University of Toledo accidentally discovered a vaccine against the painful autoimmune disease. The protein-based vaccine has been shown to generate a rapid, strong and long-lasting immune system response that provides protection against disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis, like most autoimmune diseases, is triggered by mechanisms that are not fully understood, making it difficult to develop a way to prevent the disease. There is no known cure for the disease at this time, but the newly developed experimental vaccine could pave the way for preventive treatment.
Dr. Ritu Chakravarti of the university studied 14-3-3 zeta, a protein, for the role it can play in immune diseases. Previous research led to the exploration of this protein as a trigger for rheumatoid arthritis, but it was not. Instead, the use of gene editing to remove the protein in animal models has resulted in the development of severe arthritis at a younger than normal age.
Armed with this new knowledge, the scientists behind this effort developed a vaccine based on a purified version of this protein. The vaccine elicited a rapid and long-lasting immune response in animal models providing protection against rheumatoid arthritis. Not only that, but the vaccine also caused the “total disappearance” of pre-existing arthritis in animals.
Scientists found that their experimental vaccine also improved bone quality, indicating that this vaccine – or a similar vaccine – may have uses beyond rheumatoid arthritis as well. The team is now looking for pharmaceutical companies to partner with for toxicity and safety studies, noting that they hope to eventually begin a preclinical trial for the vaccine.
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