A new method developed at the Hebrew University makes it possible to mark resistant bacteria using a chimeric tag that activates the immune system, with the potential to treat a wide variety of microbial threats
Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed an innovative approach to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria using a unique "marking" technique that helps the immune system identify and destroy these elusive pathogens. The research, led by Prof. Zvi Hioka, research student Yael Blue, and Dr. Einav Malach from the Institute of Biochemistry, Food Sciences and Nutrition in the Robert H. Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Smith, presents an innovative therapeutic strategy to deal with infections that the immune system has difficulty recognizing.
Pathogens often escape immune system defenses by changing their structure or producing enzymes that interfere with immune responses, leading to serious infections. To face this challenge, the researchers developed a chimeric tag - a combination of two different molecules - that combines a bacteria-binding peptide with a protein tag known to the immune system. This marking tag marks the pathogen and signals the immune system to destroy it.
The innovation is based on a bacterial peptide attached to the C3b protein, which activates the complement pathway of the immune system. The researchers showed that this chimeric tag is able to bind to complement-resistant E.coli, and achieve a 90% reduction in the amount of bacteria after adding additional complement proteins.
Wide applications
The marking method is not limited to bacteria, but has the potential to mark other microbial threats, such as fungi, indicating a versatile way to train the immune system against a wide variety of pathogens. By increasing the sensitivity of complement-resistant pathogens, the strategy offers the possibility of developing new selective antimicrobial agents, which may change the way we deal with bacterial infections.
The importance of research
The research is an important step forward in the development of effective treatments against pathogens that are difficult for the immune system to detect, and opens new doors for innovative treatments in the ongoing fight against drug-resistant infections.
More of the topic in Hayadan:
