Several studies have shown that vaccines\u2014traditionally used to combat viruses and bacteria\u2014may be an effective way to blunt the effects of drugs. Just as the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine protects against certain HPV infections, an opioid vaccine would trigger a patient\u2019s immune system to generate antibodies to attack opioids. When a patient ingests an opioid, these antibodies would prevent molecules of the drug from crossing the blood-brain barrier in the central nervous system, preventing the patient from getting high.<\/p>\n
Because opioid molecules do not naturally produce an immune response, however, they need to be conjugated, or attached, to clinically available carrier proteins in order to trigger an immune response. Similar to the HPV vaccine, the team\u2019s study will investigate the use of bacteriophage virus-like particles (VLPs) as carriers, based on the theory that these artificial protein structures will more effectively produce long-lasting antibodies that require smaller doses of the vaccine. The team hypothesizes that VLPs can be used as a highly immunogenic vaccine platform to elicit rapid, high titer and long-lasting antibody responses to opioids.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe that these are features that are likely required for effective vaccine-based treatment for opioid use disorder,\u201d Lee said.<\/p>\n
Pilot designed to set the stage for other NIH funding opportunities<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe team aims to identify chemical derivatives of hydrocodone, oxycodone and morphine displayed on the VLP surface that elicit high titer antibodies. Findings from the pilot project will inform decisions for a full research proposal targeted at other funding opportunities at NIH.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will make derivatives of opioid drugs that can be chemically conjugated at high density on VLPs derived from Qbeta bacteriophage,\u201d Lee said. \u201cOur vaccines will be assessed for immunogenicity in mice over a range of doses and immunization schedules to assess the titers of antibodies elicited by our vaccines, the longevity of the antibody response and the optimal dosing and immunization schedule to achieve long-lasting and high titer antibodies to the drugs of interest.\u201d<\/p>\n
A chemical biologist who joined NAU in 2018, Lee\u2019s background is in peptide chemistry, immunology and vaccinology. In addition to novel vaccine development, her work focuses on improving healthcare for American Indian and Alaska Native populations through health disparities research, STEM education and mentoring. In 2018, Lee received the Professional of the Year award from the\u00a0American Indian Science and Engineering Society<\/a>\u00a0for her overall leadership and technical achievement. Lee is a member of the Seneca Nation of Indians and serves as a Captain in the Army National Guard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"NAU](\"http:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wordpresst\/uploads\/sites\/153\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/NAU_primary-281_3514-300x213.png\")
<\/a>Kerry Bennett | Office of the Vice President for Research
\n(928) 523-5556 | kerry.bennett@nau.edu<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n
<\/a>Kerry Bennett | Office of the Vice President for Research
\n(928) 523-5556 | kerry.bennett@nau.edu<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"