Texas [US], April 5 (ANI): A groundbreaking study from The University of Texas at Austin holds promise for improving whooping cough (pertussis) vaccines, aiming to enhance immunity and push the disease closer to eradication. This research comes at a time when the disease, once nearly eradicated in the United States, has made a troubling comeback in recent years, particularly among infants who are too young to be vaccinated.
Whooping cough, caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium, has long been a major cause of death in children globally, but vaccination efforts in the 1940s dramatically reduced fatalities. However, recent vaccine coverage declines, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to a rise in outbreaks. In 2024, several significant outbreaks strained healthcare systems, especially impacting unvaccinated infants.
Targeting Pertussis Toxin to Improve Vaccines
The key to improving pertussis vaccines lies in understanding the pertussis toxin (PT), a potent chemical weapon produced by the bacteria that weakens the immune response and causes severe symptoms. The researchers, including those from UT’s McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and Department of Molecular Biosciences, focused on two antibodies, hu11E6 and hu1B7, which neutralize the toxin in distinct ways.
Using advanced cryo-electron microscopy, the team mapped the specific regions of the toxin where these antibodies bind, known as epitopes. These findings provide a detailed blueprint to enhance future vaccines. Hu11E6 prevents the toxin from attaching to human cells, while hu1B7 blocks its ability to enter cells and cause harm. These targeted antibodies could guide the development of more effective and long-lasting vaccines.
Implications for Vaccine Development
The research could improve the development of new pertussis vaccines by focusing on these critical neutralizing epitopes, potentially leading to stronger, longer-lasting immunity. Jennifer Maynard, a professor of chemical engineering at UT and the corresponding author of the study, highlighted that the findings could easily be incorporated into vaccines currently in clinical trials.
Maynard also emphasized the role of mRNA technology, used successfully in COVID-19 vaccines, in advancing pertussis vaccine design. Furthermore, using genetic engineering to develop safer and more potent vaccines could increase the overall effectiveness of vaccines and help combat vaccine hesitancy, which has been exacerbated by the pandemic.
Potential Therapeutic Applications
The two antibodies, hu1B7 and hu11E6, also show promise as potential treatments for infants who are exposed to pertussis. Previous research has demonstrated that these antibodies can prevent the lethal aspects of the disease, and UT researchers are working to develop therapies to prevent lung damage and death in newborns.
Challenges and Public Health Impact
Despite advances, challenges remain in combating pertussis. While the vaccination rate among kindergarteners in the U.S. is over 90%, fewer than 60% of pregnant mothers receive the recommended booster vaccination, leaving newborns vulnerable to the disease. Vaccine hesitancy and missed vaccinations contribute to outbreaks, as seen in recent spikes of whooping cough in places like New York City and Australia.
Annalee W. Nguyen, a co-author of the study, stressed the importance of prevention over treatment. Vaccinating mothers during pregnancy provides crucial protection to newborns until they can be vaccinated themselves, offering a vital shield against pertussis.
Conclusion
The new study lays the groundwork for vaccines that could provide longer-lasting immunity by targeting the most vulnerable sites on the pertussis toxin. This, combined with efforts to improve vaccination rates, could help eliminate whooping cough once and for all. Public health efforts must continue to prioritize prevention and address vaccine hesitancy to ensure widespread immunity and reduce the threat of future outbreaks.
(ANI)
About The Author
