Jaanvi Bhakri, B.Sc. (H)- Biotechnology
Amity Institute Of Biotechnology (AIB), Amity University Haryana (AUH), Gurugram-122413 HR
E-Mail ID: jb.jaanvibhakri2002@gmail.com
Dr. Gargi Bagchi, Professor
Amity Institute of Biotechnology (AIB) , Amity University Haryana (AUH), Gurugram- 122413 HR
E-Mail ID: gbagchi@ggn.amity.edu
1. Introduction
Autoimmune diseases arise from an aberration in immunologic tolerance, leading the immune system to mistakenly target self-molecules. They emanate from a multifaceted interplay of diverse factors, encompassing environmental, genetic, hormonal, and immunological aberrations. The combination of these factors may be referred to as the mosaic of autoimmunity. Some common examples of autoimmune diseases include Insulin-Dependent Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Crohn’s Disease.
Nearly 4% of world population has been affected by one of more than 80 types of autoimmune disease. According to a study conducted by AIIMS, Delhi, among 1500 screened subjects, 500 were recruited and prevalence of autoimmunity was observed to be around 18%, hence indicating that it has been rising at alarming rates even in Indian populations.
Due to variable dynamics, different causative and pathogenic responses, current treatments may be inadequate to achieve anticipated complete remission.
However, recently, scientists at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering just unveiled a ground-breaking “inverse vaccine” that holds the promise of revolutionizing treatment for these autoimmune disorders. It exhibits potential in the context of autoimmune disorders by enabling precise attenuation of undesired antibody and T-cell reactions to autoantigens. While preserving the integrity of the remaining immune system components, it defies the traditional concept of vaccination by Jenner.
2. Outdated approaches
While the conventional immunosuppressive medications are preferable till date, due to their substantial efficacy for numerous patients, prolonged administration at elevated level is required. This makes the patients susceptible to life-threatening malignancies and infections. Apart from this, precision therapies focusing on individual components of the immune system, such as B cell targeting, anti-TNF strategies, and anti-T cell strategies are also preferred in a few cases but not economically viable for a major section of society. Hence, a much more focused approach for controlling these unwanted, adaptive immune responses is still required.
Also, autoimmune diseases are different from some other illnesses because they can be caused by many different things and affect people in various ways. Also, our immune system, which fights off illnesses, is like a big puzzle with lots of pieces that work together. This makes it hard to find one specific thing to target with treatments. Developing precision therapies for autoimmune diseases requires a deep understanding of these complexities and the ability to target specific malfunctioning components of the immune system without disrupting its essential functions.
3. Inverse vaccines: An attempt to revolutionize health
A new hope for treatment of autoimmune diseases is being considered as a revolutionary approach in the field of immunology. In this approach, instead of stimulating an immune reaction against a pathogen, as seen in traditional vaccines, inverse vaccines aim to dampen or redirect the immune response against the body’s own components. These vaccines typically aim at presenting modified or selected auto antigens to the immune system in a controlled manner…
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