High cholesterol, a leading cause of heart disease and stroke, could be treatable in coming decades with a new vaccine developed by University of New Mexico Health scientists. The vaccine lowers bad cholesterol in mice and non-human primates, potentially offering a cheaper treatment for high cholesterol.
In a recent episode of It's Probably Not Rocket Science (IPNRS), the creators of this groundbreaking vaccine were interviewed, shedding light on its development, purpose, and the role of graduate students in the research process. Bryce Chackerian, endowed professor of biomedical research excellence and Regents's professor and vice chair in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and the UNM School of Medicine, explained the basis of the vaccine technology used in the study.
"The immune system has developed all these different mechanisms to respond very strongly to viral infections. What we've done is taken advantage of that, and we have used what's called the virus spike particle, which is just sort of the empty shell of a virus," Chackerian said.
The vaccine targets the PCSK9 protein, which influences LDL cholesterol levels. Alterations in this protein can lead to higher or lower cholesterol levels. People with mutations that increase PCSK9 function have high LDL cholesterol and higher rates of cardiovascular disease, while those with mutations that reduce PCSK9 function have lower LDL cholesterol and rarely get heart disease.
The vaccine encourages the immune system to create its own antibodies to work against PCSK9, offering a potentially more affordable treatment option compared to the currently available PCSK9 inhibitor drugs. The vaccine has shown promising results in reducing LDL cholesterol in mice and non-human primates and is now ready for human trials.
"Cardiovascular disease is not just a first-world problem. People have elevated LDL cholesterol and are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease all over the place. That's where I think the vaccine is going to have its greatest effects: in those places where paying $6,000 for a drug is outside of the realm of possibility," Chackerian explained.
The vaccine's development was a result of the collaborative efforts of Bryce Chackerian and Alex Fowler, a UNM alumna who is now working for Moderna in Boston, Mass. Fowler emphasized the years of research and dedication required to bring this vaccine to fruition.
"I've seen friends who were working on their Ph.D. and the amount of time and effort that they spend on it and also getting that help and guidance from their mentor. It ends up being like a collective and like a family. In the end, you're the one who has to drive it," Fowler said.
The next step for the vaccine is to find commercial partners who can support its promotion. It will undergo safety, efficacy, and consistency trials before being approved, a process that could take three to five years.
"We have really nice data now that we've shown that the vaccine works in animals. The next step is finding commercial partners so that we can move this forward," Chackerian stated.
The development of this vaccine is unique as it targets a protein that the body normally produces, rather than an infectious disease virus. Chackerian acknowledges that this innovative approach may present some challenges in terms of regulatory approval.
"This is kind of a unique vaccine because instead of targeting an infectious disease virus, we're targeting something your body normally makes. There have not been any of those vaccines approved yet. That's possibly a barrier for us is that this is kind of a paradigm-breaking vaccine," he explained.
In conclusion, the groundbreaking vaccine developed by University of New Mexico Health scientists offers hope for the future treatment of high cholesterol. With its ability to lower bad cholesterol and potentially provide a more affordable alternative to current drugs, this vaccine could have a significant impact on global cardiovascular health. The successful results in animal trials pave the way for human trials and eventual commercialization. However, the unique nature of the vaccine may pose some challenges along the way. Nonetheless, the dedication and collaborative efforts of researchers like Bryce Chackerian and Alex Fowler have brought us one step closer to a breakthrough in cholesterol management.
Listen to the latest episode of It's Probably Not Rocket Science to learn more about this groundbreaking vaccine and stay tuned for future episodes exploring other scientific advancements.
