Antibodies are the main line of defence the immune system utilises to target viruses and bacteria that invade our body. Raising the level of antibodies can therefore offer effective protection against disease. However, as antibodies cannot be taken orally (as a tablet) they have to be injected into the blood stream. We aim to overcome this limitation by generating antibodies that survive the passage through the stomach, allowing us to target conditions such as Crohn's disease.
Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Plasma Cells As Novel Therapeutic Agents And Diagnostic Tools
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$199,275.00
Summary
We have a new tool to identify a very rare immune cell type. This cell makes antibodies, powerful and exquisitely specific proteins that fight infection. In health, antibody-producing cells are beneficial, but in disease (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and myeloma), these cells cause disease or death. Antibody-producing cells are long-lived. We have no means to specifically deplete them. We are developing reagents to identify and deplete antibody-producing cells to use as novel therapeutic agents.