Main Menu

       Cancer immunotherapy has transformed treatment for some patients, but many tumors still do not respond well to current options, including checkpoint inhibitors. Researchers at NIAID’s Laboratory of Immune System Biology (LISB) have developed new antibodies designed to help the immune system fight tumors. These lab-made antibodies, called pan-anti-HLA monoclonal antibodies, block signals that can limit immune cell activity.

Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) is one of several ebolaviruses that cause Ebola virus disease (EVD). Sporadic outbreaks continue to occur in Central Africa, highlighting the need for effective vaccines that provide rapid protection.

The technology described involves a groundbreaking method for treating intracellular pathogen infections by targeting CD47, a widely expressed transmembrane glycoprotein that acts as a ligand for phagocytic receptors. By administering agents that inhibit CD47 binding to these receptors, the approach enhances the phagocytic removal of infected cells, leading to increased clearance of intracellular pathogens.

Novel Engineered RBD Antigens: Elevating Coronavirus Vaccine Efficiency and Efficacy. These groundbreaking antigens, derived from the spike protein's receptor-binding domain, are meticulously designed through a computational pipeline, resulting in superior attributes. They increase protein yield sevenfold, ensuring efficient large-scale manufacturing. With elevated thermal stability and a tenfold boost in antibody production, these antigens present a significant stride towards potent and globally accessible coronavirus vaccines.

This technology involves the creation of monoclonal antibodies through hybridoma technology, specifically, hybridomas 3B6, 14B7, 2D3, 2G4, 1G3, 6H3, 6C5, and 3D12, which exhibit a high degree of reactivity with Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (PA). These monoclonal antibodies have shown great promise in the field of anthrax detection and diagnosis. Their exceptional specificity for Bacillus anthracis PA suggests their potential application in diagnostic devices.

Monoclonal antibodies produced by hybridomas IE5, IE9, and 13B3 are specific for the Bacillus anthracis PA20 fragment. These antibodies hold significant potential for rapid and precise Bacillus anthracis diagnosis in clinical and environmental samples. They can be employed in various diagnostic assays, offering a valuable tool for public health and biosecurity applications. Rigorous testing and validation are essential before their integration into diagnostic devices.

The Vaccine Research Center has engineered two monoclonal antibodies, N6 and VRC07-523LS, as new contenders in the fight against HIV-1. These antibodies are designed to target the virus more effectively by removing certain glycans and modifying amino acids to enhance their neutralizing capability and reduce the risk of autoimmunity. The technology holds promise for improved HIV-1 treatments and may offer broader protection due to its potential coverage of various viral variants.

Traf3ip2-/- C57/BL6 mice are a genetically modified mouse model in which the Traf3ip2 gene, responsible for encoding the CIKS adaptor protein essential for IL-17 cytokine signaling, has been disrupted. These mice offer a robust platform for research in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, as well as potential applications in cancer studies. By eliminating IL-17 signaling and cross-interactions with other pathways, they provide a unique opportunity for drug discovery and proof-of-principle studies, shedding light on disease mechanisms and therapeutic development.

Trispecific and trivalent binding proteins represent a breakthrough in the battle against HIV infection. These specialized proteins are engineered with four polypeptide chains forming three antigen binding sites, enabling precise targeting of HIV target proteins. Addressing the formidable challenges of HIV treatment, including the virus's high mutation rate and the persistence of viral reservoirs, these binding proteins offer a potential solution to breakthrough infections.

Engineered Influenza Neuraminidase Antigens represent a cutting-edge approach to revolutionize Influenza vaccine development. This technology harnesses the sequences of neuraminidase (NA) proteins, pivotal components of the Influenza virus, to create stabilized tetramers for multiple NA subtypes. By identifying specific mutations, the technology enables the control of NA protein conformations, particularly closed states, which significantly enhances their stability.