Adjuvants are essential to induce an intense and lasting immune response. American researchers are proposing a new one that has given promising results in immunodeficient mice.
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[EN VIDÉO] Why are we more afraid of vaccines than of drugs? Nearly one in four French people refuse to be vaccinated. Most people, however, are not reluctant to swallow medication. Where does this difference come from ?
In the syringe of a vaccine, there is a antigen, the molecule or the piece of pathogenic against which theimmunity will build its defenses. But some of these antigens are not immunogenic enough – that is, not stimulating enough for the system. immune – to induce a reaction strong and lasting enough to be protective. We then add adjuvants, chemical or biological molecules, which exacerbate the immune response.
Adjuvants often get a bad press, especially salts ofaluminum which are present in the majority of vaccines. People against vaccination often argue that they are harmful to health. Gold, no serious study does not allow their harmlessness to be called into question.
Increase the effectiveness of vaccines
Scientists are still working on developing new adjuvants. Like the one that was designed in the laboratories of the La Jolla Institute of Immunology in California and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This adjuvant is a combination of two molecules: saponins and MPLA, a molecule that activates TLR 4, a receptor on the surface of cells that detects microbes foreigners. Saponins and MPLA combine to form nanoparticles which induce an intense production of antibodies and an activation of the germinal centers, the factories lymphocytes B of our body.
This adjuvant has shown promising results when injected into mice whose immune system is faulty due to the presence of the HIV. If it confirms its potential, this new adjuvant could improve the effectiveness of anti-Covid-19 vaccines and all the others.
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