Vaccination against Allergy: A Paradigm Shift?. Issue 4 (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bachmann, Martin F.; Mohsen, Mona O.; Kramer, Matthias F.; Heath, Matthew D.
• Is Part Of: Trends in molecular medicine. Volume 26:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 357
• Page End: 368
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: allergy -- SIT -- VLP -- vaccination; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; Physiology, Pathological -- Periodicals; 572.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.01.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-4914

Abstract

Abstract : Since the discovery that IgE antibodies mediate allergy, decades of research have unraveled complex mechanisms associated with conventional immunotherapy and the vital protagonists that shape 'immune tolerance' to allergens. Debate exists on what should constitute the dominant effector mechanism in driving rational drug designs for next-generation immunotherapies. As vaccine technology continues to advance, the development of novel vaccines in this area of continued medical need might stand on a threshold of breakthrough inspired by experiments by Dunbar on the passive vaccination of allergic animals more than 100 years ago. In this opinion article, we discuss both novel insights into IgG antibodies as the principle effector modality induced by specific immunotherapy and advances in antigen-carrier design that may catapult allergy treatment into our modern world. Highlights: Recent advances in the use of virus-like particle (VLP) nanotechnology provides an optimal strategy for the treatment of allergy; eliminating the allergic potential of a vaccine while increasing its ability to trigger strong IgG reactions. Modern approaches to allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) exploiting advances in antigen carrier systems such as VLP, aimed at maximizing IgG-mediated inhibition of allergen-induced mast cell activation, present a paradigm shift toward using a classical vaccination approach to treat allergy. The translational potential of VLP technology in allergy may eventually be useful for prophylactic vaccination.