Scientists have discovered a protein that could help make vaccinations more effective and provide protection from diseases such as cancer.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine in the US purified a protein found on the exterior of bacteria – neisseria meningitis – and used it as an accessory to provide a better vaccination response.
Typically, vaccines can either increase the amount of antibody production or they can stimulate cells – called cytotoxic T cells – to directly kill the offending agent. In this case, the protein called PorB is unique in that it can do both, researchers said. The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
