Key gene for immunity identified

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Key gene for immunity identified

Scientists say discovery could aid vaccine research


LONDON, June 15 — Scientists in the United States have identified a key gene involved in long-term immunity against infections in a finding that could play an important role in vaccine research.


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‘Our work shows that the SAP gene is a central player in long-term antibody responses ...’
— SHANE CROTTY
Emory Vaccine Research Center

WITHOUT THE gene, called SAP, the immune system cannot recognize and react to pathogens, making people more vulnerable to diseases.
“So this gene is clearly important for immune responses. Our work shows that the SAP gene is a central player in long-term antibody responses, and indicates that manipulation of SAP may have therapeutic benefits in generating better antibody responses,” said Shane Crotty of the Emory Vaccine Research Center in Georgia.
Vaccines are usually given to healthy people to protect them from infection by bacteria, viruses or other pathogens. They work by stimulating the body’s own immune system to generate a response to the pathogen.
If it invades the body again the immune system should be able to remember it and fight it without the person getting ill.

MICE STUDY REVEALS CLUES
Crotty and his colleagues discovered the gene by measuring the immune response of genetically engineered, or knockout, mice which lacked SAP and normal mice. Their research is reported in the science journal Nature.

The immune systems in both groups of mice launched a similar initial response when the animals were infected with a virus. But afterwards the knockout mice failed to produce enough plasma cells and memory B-cells, which are needed to make antibodies to destroy the virus and are crucial for long-term immunity.
The same types of cells remain in the body after the initial infection has been cleared and launch an attack it if reappears.

“What is so interesting about this gene is that it controls the generation of long-term memory, but it’s not important for short-term immune responses. We haven’t seen a gene that does this before,” said Dr Rafi Ahmed, senior author of the study.
The cells produced for long-term immunity are also essential for a successful vaccine because a vaccine cannot protect against infection unless it produces long-term immune memory.

© 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.

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Key gene for immunity identified