GIPTRAP · Therapeutic potential of recombinant antibodies to neutralize immunogenic peptides in celiac disease
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2022-01-01 → 2023-12-31
- EU contribution
- €160,932
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Therapeutic potential of recombinant antibodies to neutralize immunogenic peptides in celiac disease
Celiac disease consists of an autoimmune response triggered by dietary gluten exposition in genetically predisposed individuals, around 1% of the population. To this day, the only effective treatment is a permanent gluten free diet (GFD). However, a fully GFD is difficult to achieve, and symptoms persist in 65% of patients, with only 8% of them reaching duodenal-mucosa complete normalization. In collaboration with international research institutions, Biomedal S.L. showed that at least two thirds of celiac patients consume gluten aware or unaware at least once per week, and only 11% do not ingest gluten in a period of four weeks. GIPTRAP aimed at evaluating the potential use of antibodies against gluten immunogenic peptides (GIP) as therapeutic tools to reduce the effect of exposure to gluten in celiac disease patients.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Celiac disease affects about 1% of the population worldwide. It is an autoimmune disease triggered by gluten intake in genetically predisposed individuals. Celiac disease causes intestinal villi atrophy that results in a deficient absorption of nutrients and other risks. Gluten major sources are wheat, rye, barley and some oats. Currently, the only effective treatment is a permanent gluten free diet (GFD). However, a fully GFD is difficult to achieve. The average daily gluten intake in celiac patients is estimated to be 150-400 mg, when 50 mg are enough to damage the intestine of most celiac patients. Accordingly, symptoms persist in 65% of patients, with only 8% reaching complete gut recovery. Preliminary data showed that an antibody raised against the most immunogenic gluten peptide suppressed 90% immunogenicity of hydrolyzed gluten ex vivo. This project proposes a novel therapeutic strategy to alleviate the effect of exposure to gluten for celiac patients not completely responsive to GFD. I aim to assess the potential of anti-Gluten Immunogenic Peptides (GIP) antibodies as therapeutic tools by evaluating their effectiveness to neutralize GIP in vitro and ex vivo. I will develop improved humanized recombinant versions of anti-GIP antibodies, analyze their performance and stability, and optimize their production in mammalian cell cultures in collaboration with partner biotech companies and academia research groups with long experience in the field, bringing novel transferable knowledge to the host institution. The recombinant antibodies will also be explored for their improved performance in diagnostic applications for determining GIP excretion. This Fellowship will allow to extend my existing network beyond Academia towards Biotech Industry and will provide me with significant experience to mature towards independent project management in industrial research in the fields of recombinant protein production and immunotherapy.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- BIOMEDAL SL · Camas/SevillaCoordinatorSpain
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union