A research team at the Complutense University of Madrid has reported a major advance in the prevention of eosinophilic allergic asthma with the experimental vaccine MV130.
The findings, published in Nature Communications, mark the first time the vaccine’s effectiveness has been demonstrated in animal models, offering protection that lasts up to nine weeks after treatment ends.
What is MV130?
Developed by the Spanish biotech company Inmunotek, MV130 is a sublingual bacterial vaccine that had already shown benefits in reducing childhood bronchiolitis caused by viruses.
Until now, however, its role in asthma prevention had not been tested.
The study shows that MV130 triggers innate and adaptive immune responses against dust mite allergens – the primary culprits behind eosinophilic asthma – without causing harmful side effects.
Protective effects were confirmed in both murine (mouse) and human preclinical models, with long-lasting results.
How does it work?
The vaccine appears to ‘reprogramme’ the immune system by altering the metabolism and gene expression of dendritic cells, which play a key role in regulating immune responses.
This makes the body more resilient to allergens that would otherwise trigger asthma attacks.
Researchers used a combination of advanced techniques, including flow cytometry, lung function analysis, histology and transcriptomic studies, to track how the vaccine interacts with the immune system.
The team behind the discovery
The project was led by Professor Oscar Palomares, with contributions from Dr Laura Conejero and Dr Jose Luis Subiza of Inmunotek.
The work also formed part of the doctoral thesis of Ana Carmen Sevilla, which was recently awarded top honours at the Complutense University.
What’s next?
The discovery positions MV130 as a strong candidate for clinical trials to test its ability to prevent and treat allergic asthma in humans.
The research forms part of a larger public-private project funded by Spain’s Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, as well as a new industrial PhD grant from the Community of Madrid.
Scientists believe the findings not only validate the effectiveness of broad-spectrum bacterial vaccines taken under the tongue, but also open up new possibilities for tackling allergic respiratory diseases with innovative therapies.
