Investigators: Dr Christian Tjiam, Prof Peter Richmond, A/Prof Lea-Ann Kirkham, Dr Ruth Thornton
Project description
Nearly 10% of all deaths in children under 5 years are due to Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD), which include meningitis, septicaemia and pneumonia caused by severe infection by the bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. The burden of this disease is disproportionately high in Papua New Guinean infants.
We have biobanked samples from a trial of a unique prime/boost pneumococcal vaccine regimen against S. pneumoniae given to protect Papua New Guinean infants from IPD and have found that although high antibody levels are elicited by this vaccine strategy, the binding strength (avidity) of the antibodies produced remained low after boosting. This is of concern because antibody avidity is integral to the functions of antibodies.
This project will utilise novel single-cell techniques to define the cellular factors contributing to immune memory and antibody avidity maturation against bacterial polysaccharides, which is poorly understood particularly in high-risk populations. The knowledge generated in this project will inform vaccine strategies against S. pneumoniae so that the burden of IPD in infants can be reduced globally.
Project outputs
This project aims to define cellular immune mechanisms that will inform vaccine immunogen and/or adjuvant design for optimal durability and quality of vaccine-induced antibodies against Streptococcus Pneumoniae.
Funders
- The George (Iraklis) and Katina Kakulas Research Award.