Narcolepsy Type-I Vaccine
Selective influenza A (H1N1) peptides for the tolerogenic, immunomodulatory treatment of human narcolepsy type-1
Background
Narcolepsy type‑1 (NT1) is a chronic central nervous system disorder. There is a strong indication of the disease having an immunopathological origin. Additionally, an association of NT1 with influenza A (H1N1) infection or the pandemic influenza A vaccination has been observed.
Technology Overview
The research team has identified specific T cell peptide epitopes, with great potential for treatment by antigen-specific immunotherapy of human narcolepsy type 1.
Benefits
Current treatment options in NT1 are purely symptomatic, whereas the H1N1 peptide based treatment approach is curative. The immunomodulatory effect of these peptides, when formulated into nanoscale vehicles for delivery to the liver and spleen, have been tested in animals.
Applications
The applications lie in therapeutic and/or curative treatment options for NT1 patients.
Opportunity
Co‑development partners with technology to encapsulate or express the peptides for delivery to the immune system, as antigen-specific immunotherapy (tolerogenic vaccination). The lab has at disposal relevant animal models, and the cellular functional immunoassays for pre‑clinical testing of tolerogenic compounds for NT1. In addition, clinical neurologists and sleep researchers at the University of Helsinki provide expertise in planning clinical trials (Finnish narcolepsy type 1 cohort).