Category Archives: Immunology

Immunology

VistaGen Therapeutics to Participate in the Guggenheim Healthcare Talks | Idea Forum | 2nd Annual Neuro/Immunology Day – PRNewswire

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Nov. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --VistaGen Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VTGN), a biopharmaceutical company developing new generation medicines for anxiety, depression and other central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today announced that senior management will participate in the Guggenheim Healthcare Talks, Idea Forum, 2nd Annual Neuro/Immunology Day, a virtual event focused on both established and emerging companies in the neurological and immunological disease spaces, as well as salient thematic topics of interest to investors, taking place on Monday, November 16, 2020.

About VistaGenVistaGen Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing differentiated new generation medications that go beyond the current standard of care for anxiety, depression and other CNS disorders. Each of VistaGen's three drug candidates has a differentiated mechanism of action, an exceptional safety profile in all studies to date, and therapeutic potential in multiple CNS markets. For more information, please visit http://www.vistagen.com and connect with VistaGen on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Forward Looking StatementsVarious statements in this release are "forward-looking statements" concerning VistaGen's future expectations, plans and prospects. These forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees of future performance, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements, including the risks that: development and approval of one or more of the Company's drug candidates may not be achieved in any market, and, if approved, may not be differentiated from the standard of care; the FDA and other regulatory authorities may decide that the results of one or more of the Company's development programs are not sufficient for regulatory approval; development of the Company's drug candidates may not be successful in any indication; success in nonclinical studies or in earlier-stage clinical studies may not be repeated or observed in future studies; and other adverse events or market conditions may be encountered, at any stage of development, that negatively impact further development, including entry of competitive products or other technical and unexpected hurdles in the development, manufacture and commercialization of the Company's drug candidates. Additional risks are more fully discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in VistaGen's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2020, and in its subsequent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements represent the Company's views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. The Company explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

SOURCE VistaGen Therapeutics

http://www.vistagen.com

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VistaGen Therapeutics to Participate in the Guggenheim Healthcare Talks | Idea Forum | 2nd Annual Neuro/Immunology Day - PRNewswire

Immunology

Merck Announces Out-Licensing Agreement for Investigational Atacicept with Vera Therapeutics – PharmiWeb.com

Not intended for UK and US based media

-Merck out-licenses Phase IIb-ready atacicept to Vera Therapeutics

- Phase IIa trial conducted by Merck shows promising results in IgA nephropathy (IgAN), also known as "Berger's disease"

- Out-licencing deal includes 10% equity in Vera Therapeutics and up to 605 million in development and commercial milestones, plus royalties on any future net sales

DARMSTADT, Germany, Nov. 9, 2020 Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced that it, through its subsidiary Ares Trading S.A., has entered into an out-licensing agreement with biotechnology company Vera Therapeutics, South San Francisco, USA, for the further development of investigational therapy atacicept. Vera Therapeutics will first prioritize to take atacicept into a Phase IIb study in IgA nephropathy (IgAN), an autoimmune kidney disease also known as "Berger's disease".

"The positive results from our Phase IIa study in IgA nephropathy reinforce the potential of this compound, and we are pleased to see Vera Therapeutics take it into the next phase of development," says Andreas Stickler, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Strategy, Business Development and Portfolio Management of the healthcare business sector of Merck. "This agreement shows how we are executing on our strategy to focus on our priority assets and areas of expertise, while underscoring our commitment to ensure promising molecules from our immunology pipeline have the opportunity to make it to patients as quickly as possible."

Atacicept is a recombinant fusion protein that contains the soluble TACI receptor that binds to the cytokines BLyS and APRIL. These cytokines are members of the tumor necrosis factor family that promote B-cell survival and autoantibody production associated with certain autoimmune diseases such as IgAN. IgAN is one of the most common kidney diseases worldwide, with a remaining high unmet medical need for efficacious new medications to treat the disease.

As part of the agreement, Merck will receive 10% equity in Vera Therapeutics, up to a total of 605 million related to delivering on certain development and commercial milestones, plus royalties on any future net sales. Vera Therapeutics will assume full responsibility for the development and commercialization of the atacicept program in all indications. A Phase IIb study in IgAN is planned to start in the second quarter of 2021.

JANUS, a Phase IIa, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of atacicept in IgA nephropathy showed a dose dependent effect of atacicept on key biomarkers, i.e. serum immunoglobulin levels and proteinuria, and at the same time a favourable safety profile. These data were awarded to be among the "Absolute Best Abstracts" at the annual meeting of the European Renal Association (ERA-EDTA) in June and were recently presented by Dr.Jonathan Barratt, University of Leicester, UK, in an encore virtual talk during the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney week, October 20-25, 2020.

Merck acquired exclusive worldwide development and commercialization rights for atacicept from Zymogenetics in 2008 (Zymogenetics was acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2010). The asset has since then been solely developed by Merck.

About atacicept

Atacicept is a recombinant fusion protein that contains the soluble TACI receptor that binds to the cytokines BLyS and APRIL. These cytokines are members of the tumor necrosis factor family that promote B-cell survival and autoantibody production associated with certain autoimmune diseases, including IGA nephropathy, also known as "Berger's disease", and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Merck acquired exclusive worldwide development and commercialization rights for atacicept from Zymogenetics in 2008. Zymogenetics has since then been acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS). Atacicept is currently under clinical investigation and not approved for use anywhere in the world.

Merck in Neurology and Immunology

Merck has a long-standing legacy in neurology and immunology, with significant R&D and commercial experience in multiple sclerosis (MS). The company's current MS portfolio includes two products for the treatment of relapsing MS, with a robust pipeline focusing on discovering new therapies that have the potential to modulate key pathogenic mechanisms in MS. Merck aims to improve the lives of those living with MS, by addressing areas of unmet medical needs.

The company's robust immunology pipeline focuses on discovering new therapies that have the potential to modulate key pathogenic mechanisms in chronic diseases such as MS and systemic lupus erythematosus.

All Merck Press Releases are distributed by email at the same time they become available on the Merck Website. Please go to http://www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.

About Merck

Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 57,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices the company is everywhere. In 2019, Merck generated sales of 16.2 billion in 66 countries.

Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck's technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and EMD Performance Materials.

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Media Relations gangolf.schrimpf@merckgroup.com Phone: +49 151 1454 9591

Investor Relations investor.relations@merckgroup.com Phone: +49 6151 72-3321

SOURCE Merck

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Merck Announces Out-Licensing Agreement for Investigational Atacicept with Vera Therapeutics - PharmiWeb.com

Immunology

ANU Professor Immunology David Tscharke joins The West Live to discuss if the COVID-19 vaccine will be safe – The West Australian

Australian National University Professor Immunology David Tscharke will join The West Live today to discuss if the new COVID-19 vaccine will be safe.

Tipped to be rolled out by March 2021 to the most vulnerable, including the elderly and healthcare workers, results from Pfizer late-stage vaccine trial were found to be 90 per cent effective.

Speaking to The West Live host Jenna Clarke from 8.45am, Prof. Tscharke will explain what hurdles the groundbreaking potential vaccine will have to face before it's rolled out globally and also weigh in West Australian pandemic responses and approach.

Later in the show, The West Australian's crime editor and West Australian chief reporter Ben Harvey will join WA Police Sergeant Mick Slaughter to discuss and debrief the latest crime news.

This week marks 25 years of Crime Stoppers, with a whopping 579,078 calls and online reports received between January 1, 2005 and June 30, 2020. Of those, 53,472 have led to arrests

Top Perth lawyer and regular guest Tom Percy will also join Clarke to discuss the launch and legalities of a backyard swimming pool hiring app Swimply.

Sunrise Perth correspondent Matt Tinney will be on the podcast to update West Australians on today's latest news headlines.

After 9am, The West Australian's Ben O'Shea will join the show to share some quirky stories from across the State.

Listen live from 8.45am here.

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ANU Professor Immunology David Tscharke joins The West Live to discuss if the COVID-19 vaccine will be safe - The West Australian

Immunology

Immunology researcher Kingston Mills named as SFI Researcher of the Year – The Irish Times

Kevin OSullivan

Environment & Science Editor

The virologist Prof Kingston Mills, who is based at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), has received the prestigious Science Foundation Ireland Researcher of the Year Award for 2020.

Prof Kingston specialises in immunology, inflammation and infection research and co-leads TCDs Covid-19 research hub.

He heads a research team focusing on T cells in infection, and has published more 300 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters that have been cited over 31,000 times.

He is also a member of a number of international scientific advisory panels on vaccines and immunotherapeutics, including two at the World Health Organisation.

Prof Mills said: I am absolutely delighted to receive this prestigious award... I have been committed to the fascinating field of immunology for nearly 40 years, but my research achievements would not have been possible without the financial support from SFI, the commitment and dedication of my research team and the support of colleagues, especially those at Trinity College Dublin.

The winners were announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris at the annual SFI Science Summit on Thursday.

SFI director Prof Mark Ferguson commended this years award winners for their inspiring success and dedication in an eventful and challenging year for Irelands research community.

He paid tribute to the level of collaboration within the Irish research community which continues to be impactful, inspirational and world-leading.

The Early Career Researcher of the Year Award was won jointly by Dr Matthew Campbell of TCD neurovascular genetics laboratory and Dr Lorna Lopez of Maynooth University department of biology, a leading researcher on using genetic technologies to understand the genetic basis of mental illness.

The Industry Partnership Award went to Prof Fergal OBrien of RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, AMBER SFI Research Centre and Integra LifeSciences. He specialises in bioengineering and regenerative medicine including nerve repair treatments.

UCC chair of energy engineering Prof Brian OGallachoir, who is also director of MaREI SFI Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine, won the Best International Engagement Award. An adviser to the International Energy Agency, he has also presented at the annual UN climate talks.

The SFI Entrepreneurship Award was awarded jointly to Prof Fergal McCaffery of Dundalk IT, founder and director of the Regulated Software Research Centre, and to Dr Anita Finnegan, chief executive and founder of Nova Leah, a world leader in the provision of cybersecurity risk management solutions for connected medical devices.

The immunologist and noted science communicator Prof Luke ONeill of TCD school of biochemistry and immunology, who has been prominent in media coverage during the Covid-19 pandemic, won the SFI Outstanding Contribution to Stem Communication Award.

Joint winners of the SFI Mentorship Award were Prof Pat Guiry director of UCD Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology and Prof Patricia Maguire of UCD director of UCD Institute for Discovery.

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Immunology researcher Kingston Mills named as SFI Researcher of the Year - The Irish Times

Immunology

Call in the T Cells When Waging War on Zika – Technology Networks

Where Aedes mosquitoes fly, Zika virus may not be far behind. Although the explosive 20152016 Zika epidemics in the Americas are behind us, Zika may re-emerge, and in many countries, Zika may be spreading in silence, says Sujan Shresta, Ph.D., a professor at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI). We need to develop effective vaccines.

In a new Science Advances study, Shresta and her colleagues at LJI report that the immune systems T cells have the power to prevent Zika infection in mice. This finding suggests that effective Zika vaccines need to activate T cells to work alongside antibodies.

If we combine T cells and antibodies, we have even stronger protection and longer-term protection, says Annie Elong Ngono, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow at LJI and first author of the new study.

Zika virus cases are usually mild, but the virus can cause serious congenital malformations in infants and neurological complications in adults and children. Since Zika made headlines in 2016, when cases of the virus peaked in the Americas, researchers have developed more than 40 Zika vaccine candidates. The vast majority of these vaccines are designed to prompt the body to make antibodies that target one specific protein on the virus.

Unfortunately, there is a drawback to this neutralizing antibody approach. In many parts of the world, Zika virus spreads alongside related mosquito-borne viruses, such as dengue. Scientists have found that the presence of anti-Zika antibodies can make a subsequent case of dengue much, much worse. In a 2018 study, Shrestas lab showed that newborn mouse pups harboring anti-Zika antibodies were more vulnerable to death from dengue exposure than mice that lacked anti-Zika antibodies.

Theoretically, similar cases of antibody-dependent enhancement may lead to cases where lingering anti-Zika antibodies in a patient will actually make it easier for dengue to enter host cellsleading to especially devastating consequences in pregnant patients. This means that a Zika vaccine that prompts only antibody production may be risky in areas where both dengue and Zika are common. Luckily, the immune system can make more than antibodies.

For the new study, Shresta and Elong Ngono tested an experimental Zika vaccine in a mouse model. The vaccine was designed to elicit the arm of the immune system that makes T cells. The mice were given the vaccine, given a second vaccine boost four weeks later, and then exposed to Zika six weeks after that.

The team found that the vaccine could induce a strong immunity against a potentially lethal Zika virus infection by inducing mainly CD8+ T cells, also called killer T cells, against the virus. The vaccine also prevented Zika transmission through the placenta from mother to fetus in pregnant mice.

This vaccine approach was even more effective when combined with a vaccine candidate that induced neutralizing antibodies. We found that it is better to have a vaccine that induces both T cells and antibodies than either one alone, says Elong Ngono.

The new research also shows the importance of targeting more than one viral protein when fighting flaviviruses, the group of viruses that include Zika, dengue, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis. By getting T cells and antibodies to recognize key sites on these related viruses, researchers may be closer to developing a pan-flavivirus vaccine to protect people in areas where several of these diseases are common.

We think this approach can be used against other infectious diseases, Elong Ngono says. For example, recent research from LJI scientists suggests that COVID-19 vaccines may also need to elicit T cells to work alongside antibodies.

Now the challenge is finding how best to elicit appropriately balanced antibody and T cell responses, says Shresta. We also dont know how durable the vaccine protection isif its fairly short, we want to figure out how to enhance it.

The study, titled CD8+ T cells mediate protection against Zika virus-induced by an NS3-based vaccine, was supported by the National Institutes of Health (grants AI116813, AI140063 and NS106387) and a grant from the Chiba-UCSD Center for Mucosal Immunology, Allergy, and Vaccine Development.

This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

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Call in the T Cells When Waging War on Zika - Technology Networks

Immunology

My path to a PhD in Immunology – Science at ANU

Doing a PhD can be a long and difficult journey. Make sure you prepare yourself for the challenge and try to find a good support system to help you through the rough times.

I am currently doing a PhD in Immunology at the John Curtin School of Medical Research. This will be my final year after four years of research in the lab. In short, my project involves investigating how processes in the immune system can be affected by a mutation in a protein, leading to sickness in a patient.

Medical research typically involves the use of lab mice. I realise that using animals for research can be a contentious issue but there is so much about the immune system we have yet to uncover. The mutation I am studying was initially identified in a patient, which we have now successfully genetically replicated in a mouse model. This allows us to investigate how this single mutation alters the immune system of a living creature. Observing these changes in the context of a functioning immune system is something we cannot replicate in a test tube. All research involving animals is reviewed and approved by a dedicated ANU Animal Ethics Committee. Researchers adhere to strict policies, which ensures the mice we use are provided with utmost care and the animals are not in distress or suffering.

Prior to commencing my studies at ANU, I undertook my undergraduate degree in the Philippines and worked in a clinical diagnostic lab in Singapore. Working in that lab environment provided me with exposure to an array of fascinating equipment and technologies, leading to the realisation that I wanted to learn more and expand my horizons. This brought me to ANU where I completed a Master of Biotechnology (Research), which I enjoyed so much that I stayed on and am now completing a PhD.

ANU students are very fortunate to have access to high-end facilities and resources. For example when I was studying in the Philippines, many under-resourced labs used bleach to clean and reuse disposable equipment to reduce costs. This really makes me appreciate what we often take for granted here in Australia, especially in scientific research.

If you are considering undertaking a PhD, my advice is to think hard about it before making any decisions. Do not start one just because you do not know what else to do after graduation but do it because you are genuinely interested in, and have a passion for the topic. Doing a PhD can be mentally, emotionally and physically draining, however, the training and life skills it provides can be very rewarding. If you do decide to pursue a PhD, remember to maintain a work-life balance. Always take notes when doing experimentswrite everything down (your future self will thank you later). Practice a lot of self-care and surround yourself with supportive people to keep you sane.

Kristy is a current ANU student. She is currently in the fourth year of her PhD at the John Curtin School of Medical Research.

Originally published onFaces of ANU.

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My path to a PhD in Immunology - Science at ANU

Immunology

Examining the relationship of nitrogen dioxide and obesity on asthma outcomes – Contemporary Pediatrics

Nitrogen dioxide is a common air pollutant and many air pollutants can impact asthma symptoms. A report looks at the relationship between nitrogen dioxide, asthma symptoms, and body mass index.

Nitrogen dioxide is a common air pollutant and can be found in elevated levels in metropolitan areas due to traffic congestion. Air pollutants have been shown to impact the development of asthma in childhood. A report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology examines the relationship between nitrogen dioxide and asthma symptoms and morbidity by body mass index category as well as the impact of the asthma symptoms.1

The researchers used the School Inner-City Asthma Study, which enrolled students aged 4 to 13 years who had asthma and attended 37 inner-city schools. There was a baseline determination of each students body mass index percentile. Following enrollment into the study, asthma symptoms, lung function, pulmonary inflammation, and morbidity were watched through the next academic year. Classroom nitrogen dioxide data, which was linked to enrolled students, were collected twice per year.

There were 271 students included in the analyses and the cohort was predominantly Black and hispanic. In the cohort, 50% of the children were normal weight (5-84th body mass index percentile); 15% were overweight (85-94th body mass index percentile); and 35% obese (95th body mass index percentile). The investigators found that for each 10-part per billion increase in nitrogen dioxide, students who were obese had a significant increase in the odds of having an asthma symptom day (odds ratio [OR], 1.86; 95% CI, 1.15-3.02) as well as in days that a caregiver had to change plans(OR, 4.24; 95% CI, 2.33-7.70). This was quite different from students who were normal weight and showed no link between nitrogen exposure and symptom days (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.57-1.42; pairwise interaction P = .03) as well as change in caregiver plans (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.67-2.82; pairwise interaction P = .02). Additionally, the relationship between lung function, fractional exhaled nitric oxide, and nitrogen dioxide levels had no difference between body mass index.

The researchers concluded that it seems like children who have an obese body mass index are more vulnerable to the effects of classroom exposure to nitrogen dioxide in the classroom and the impact on asthma symptoms. Targeting indoor levels of nitrogen dioxide in schools could help improve asthma outcomes for children who are obese.

Reference

1. Permaul P, Gaffin J, Petty C, et al. Obesity may enhance the adverse effects of NO2 exposure in urban schools on asthma symptoms in children. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2020;146(4):813-820. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2020.03.003

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Examining the relationship of nitrogen dioxide and obesity on asthma outcomes - Contemporary Pediatrics

Immunology

Midlands Immunologist Named Research Scientist Of The Year – Midlands103

Friday, November 6th, 2020 8:41am

The Mullingar is being celebrated for his work by the Science Foundation of Ireland.

A midlands immunologist has been named Research Scientist of the Year.

Professor Kingston Mills has received the accolade from the Science Foundation of Ireland.

The Mullingar man - who's been working in immunology for almost 40 years - is currently director of Trinity College's Biomedical Sciences Institute.

The SFI says he's contributed significantly to the Irish research community, with exceptional research outputs and a clear ability to communicate his research.

Commenting on theaward Professor Mills said, I am absolutely delighted to receive this prestigious award from Science Foundation Ireland. I have been committed to the fascinating field of Immunology for nearly 40 years, but my research achievements would not have been possible without the financial support from SFI, the commitment and dedication of my research team and the support of colleagues, especially those at Trinity College Dublin.

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Midlands Immunologist Named Research Scientist Of The Year - Midlands103

Immunology

T-cell study adds to debate over duration of COVID-19 immunity – Reuters

LONDON (Reuters) - A small but key UK study has found that cellular immunity to the pandemic SARS-CoV-2 virus is present after six months in people who had mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 - suggesting they might have some level of protection for at least that time.

FILE PHOTO: Convalescent plasma samples in vials are seen before being tested for COVID-19 antibodies at the Bloodworks Northwest Laboratory during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Renton, Washington, U.S. September 9, 2020. Picture taken September 9, 2020. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson/File Photo

Scientists presenting the findings, from 100 non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Britain, said they were reassuring but did not mean people cannot in rare cases be infected twice with the disease.

While our findings cause us to be cautiously optimistic about the strength and length of immunity generated after SARS-CoV-2 infection, this is just one piece of the puzzle, said Paul Moss, a professor of haematology at Britains Birmingham University who co-led the study.

There is still a lot for us learn before we have a full understanding of how immunity to COVID-19 works.

Experts not directly involved with the study said its findings were important and would add to a growing body of knowledge about potential protective immunity to COVID-19.

The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed by other experts but was published online on bioRxiv, analysed the blood of 100 patients six months after they had had either mild or asymptomatic COVID-19. It found that while some of the patients antibody levels had dropped, their T-cell response - another key part of the immune system - remained robust.

(Our) early results show that T-cell responses may outlast the initial antibody response, said Shamez Ladhani, a consultant epidemiologist at Public Health England who co-led the work.

The study also found the size of T-cell response differed, and was considerably higher in people who had had symptomatic COVID-19 than those who had no symptoms when infected.

The researchers said this could be interpreted in two ways: It is possible that higher cellular immunity might give better protection against re-infection in people who had symptoms, or equally, that asymptomatic patients are better able to fight off the virus without the need to generate a large immune response.

These results provide reassurance that, although the titre of antibody to SARS-CoV-2 can fall below detectable levels within a few months of infection, a degree of immunity to the virus may be maintained, said Charles Bangham, chair of immunology at Imperial College London.

This ... bodes well for the long term, in terms of both vaccine development and the possibility of long-term protection against re-infection, said Eleanor Riley, an immunology and infectious disease professor at Edinburgh University. She stressed, however, that we dont yet know whether the people in this study are protected from re-infection.

While more than 46 million people worldwide have been infected with COVID-19, confirmed cases of re-infection are so far very rare.

(Fixes typo in name in para 7)

Reporting by Kate Kelland, editing by Steve Orlofsky and Nick Macfie

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T-cell study adds to debate over duration of COVID-19 immunity - Reuters

Immunology

Subset of COVID-19 Patients Who Recover Quickly and Sustain Antibodies Identified – Technology Networks

One of the pressing questions about COVID-19 remains: How long does immunity last? One key indicator of immunity is the presence of virus-specific antibodies. Previous studies have provided conflicting accounts about whether people who have recovered from infection can sustain potentially-protective antibodies or not. A new study led by investigators from Brigham and Womens Hospital examined blood samples and cells from patients who had recovered from mild to moderate COVID-19 and found that while antibodies against the virus declined in most individuals after disease resolution, a subset of patients sustained anti-virus antibody production several months following infection. These antibody sustainers had a shorter course of symptoms, suggesting that some individuals who recover from COVID-19 faster may be mounting a more effective and durable immune response to the virus. Results are published in Cell.

Weve found a subset of individuals that heal quickly while sustaining virus-specific antibody levels after COVID-19, said Duane Wesemann, MD, PhD, an immunologist and associate physician in the Brigham Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School. The kind of immune response were seeing in these individuals is a bit like investing in an insurance policy its the immune systems way of adding a potential layer of protection against future encounters with the virus.

The Wesemann lab studies the entire set of antibodies a hosts immune system produces and how they learn to recognize pathogens. In the spring of 2020, the team turned its attention to the COVID-19 pandemic and the immune response of people who become infected. They are eager to understand the nature of the antibody response to the virus. To this end, the team recruited and enrolled 92 people in the Boston area who had recovered from COVID-19 between March and June of 2020. Five of the individuals were hospitalized but all others recovered at home. The team collected and analyzed blood samples monthly, measuring a range of antibodies, including immunoglobulin-G (IgG), against the virus that causes COVID-19. They split the cohort into two groups those that sustain virus-specific IgG levels over several weeks, and those that lose them. The team analyzed these groups and potential connections they had to clinical and other immunological data.

The team found that IgG levels against the virus tended to decline substantially in most individuals over the course of three to four months. However, in about 20 percent of individuals, antibody production remained stable or enhanced over the same time period. The team found that these sustainers had symptoms for a significantly shorter period of time compared to decayers (average of 10 days versus 16 days). Sustainers also had differences in memory T cell populations and B cells, two types of immune cells that can play a key role in immune memory and protection.

An important limitation of the study, the team noted, was that most of the volunteers were adult white women. The researchers said that future research must aim to enroll a more diverse population to further elucidate whether variations in immune response exist across people of different ages and ethnic and racial backgrounds. The researchers also point out that further research may help determine whether similar dynamics of immune response are also seen in people with asymptomatic and severe disease.

The data point to a type of immune response thats not only adept at handling viral disease by leading to a swift resolution of symptoms, but also better at producing cells that can commit to longer term production of anti-virus IgG antibodies, said Wesemann. Figuring out how these individuals are able to support longer-term antibody production is relevant to COVID-19, and will also have important implications for our understanding of the immune system in general.

ReferenceChen Y et al. Quick COVID-19 Healers Sustain Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Production. Cell DOI:10.1016/j.cell.2020.10.051

This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

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Subset of COVID-19 Patients Who Recover Quickly and Sustain Antibodies Identified - Technology Networks