Exploiting the autoimmune response

Conjugation of a self-antigen to papillomavirus-like particles elicit high titers of autoantibodies that can be used to treat arthritis and other diseases.

Written byTudor Toma
| 1 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
1:00
Share

Injection of monoclonal antibodies against key self-proteins produced encouraging results in diseases models such as arthritis, allergy and breast cancer. In August Journal of Clinical Investigation Bryce Chackerian and colleagues at the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, US, show how to convince immune systems to self generate therapeutic autoantibodies similar to the monoclonal antibodies.

Chackerianet al. developed a technique to link peptides with papillomavirus-like particles (VLP) and obtained a compound that could elicit specific antibodies even to normally nonimmunogenic self epitopes. Immunization of mice with VLP conjugated to a mouse TNF-α fusion protein induced a high-titer and long-lasting TNF-α autoantibodies that could block the development of collagen-induced arthritis (J Clin Invest 2001, 108:415-423).

Autoantibody-inducing vaccines based on conjugated VLPs can be highly immunogenic and are probably efficient in diseases for which monoclonal antibody-based therapies have been suggested. But, the safety of having long-term circulating self-reactive antibodies remains to be demonstrated.

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here

Meet the Author

Share
Illustration of a developing fetus surrounded by a clear fluid with a subtle yellow tinge, representing amniotic fluid.
January 2026, Issue 1

What Is the Amniotic Fluid Composed of?

The liquid world of fetal development provides a rich source of nutrition and protection tailored to meet the needs of the growing fetus.

View this Issue
Skip the Wait for Protein Stability Data with Aunty

Skip the Wait for Protein Stability Data with Aunty

Unchained Labs
Graphic of three DNA helices in various colors

An Automated DNA-to-Data Framework for Production-Scale Sequencing

illumina
Exploring Cellular Organization with Spatial Proteomics

Exploring Cellular Organization with Spatial Proteomics

Abstract illustration of spheres with multiple layers, representing endoderm, ectoderm, and mesoderm derived organoids

Organoid Origins and How to Grow Them

Thermo Fisher Logo

Products

nuclera logo

Nuclera eProtein Discovery System installed at leading Universities in Taiwan

Brandtech Logo

BRANDTECH Scientific Introduces the Transferpette® pro Micropipette: A New Twist on Comfort and Control

Biotium Logo

Biotium Launches GlycoLiner™ Cell Surface Glycoprotein Labeling Kits for Rapid and Selective Cell Surface Imaging

Colorful abstract spiral dot pattern on a black background

Thermo Scientific X and S Series General Purpose Centrifuges

Thermo Fisher Logo