Buruli ulcer (BU) is a neglected tropical disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium ulcerans (M. ulcerans). My company which is at the forefront of Buruli ulcer drug development research, offers vaccine and therapy development services and is always looking to deliver noteworthy changes in this domain.
Overview of Buruli Ulcer
Buruli ulcer is placing third in the most common human mycobacterial diseases, where it is roughly endemic to Western African regions, and Southeastern Australia. The pathogen responsible for the disease, M. ulcerans, emerged from the non tuberculous bacterium M. marinum by gaining a virulence plasmid which encoded for macrolide toxins, the mycolactones. These mycolactones are crucial in the pathogenesis of Buruli ulcer, where they cause apoptosis and aid in preventing cell cycle progression.
Fig. 1 Proposed transmission mechanisms of Buruli Ulcer. (Dhungel L., et al., 2021)
Vaccine Development for Buruli Ulcer
Whole Bacteria Vaccines
Initial vaccination experiments are centered on bacteria, for example, Mycobacterium marinum or M. ulcerans, as prospective candidates for a BU vaccine. These vaccines were, however, effective in animal models. Even so, in most cases the protection was only temporary and afterwards lost completely. There are, however, new developments in the area such as overexpression of some antigens of M. ulcerans in BCG and M. marinum strains.
Subunit Vaccines
Another approach is the use of acellular/subunit vaccines, which are formulated with adjuvants and delivered as proteins or DNA. Various M. ulcerans antigens have been investigated as subunit vaccine candidates, including Ag85A,Ag85B, ESAT-6, and Hsp65. Studies have shown that subunit vaccines based on these antigens can induce immune responses and confer partial protection against M. ulcerans infection in animal models.
DNA Vaccines
Also, DNA vaccines have been looked into as a possible approach to Buruli ulcer. This strategy includes direct inoculation of plasmid dna that interpolates specific M. ulcerans antigens into host cells. In vivo models preclinically evaluated using DNA vaccines aimed at both Ag85A and Ag85B showed very good responses which were characteristic to the specific antigen and forced an immunodeficient bacterial load to minimize in more advanced animal models.
Mycolactone-Based Vaccines
Notwithstanding the toxic nature of mycolactone, preliminary studies demonstrate the feasibility of employing non-cytotoxic mycolactone analogs to engineer neutralizing antibodies that target mycolactone and provide protection against BU. Because mycolactone is fundamental to the development and disease progression of BU, considerable effort is being directed toward the preparation of appropriate vaccines aiming at the modality of this toxin.
Therapeutics Development for Buruli Ulcer
Telacebec (Q203) has proven to be a very promising treatment candidate for Buruli Ulcer alongside Tedizolid, selamectin, and benzothiazinone PBTZ169. Telacebec aims specifically for the respiratory cytochrome bc1:aa3 of the M. ulcerans, effectively and thoroughly eradicating the bacterium. Apart from the previously mentioned medications, a combination of hydrogel containing rifampicin and streptomycin has also shown treating potential for cutaneous regions.
Our company provides a complete development package for drugs targeting Buruli ulcer , taking into account the particular scope of the problem. To learn more about what we offer and how we may help you with Buruli Ulcer therapy development, click the link below.
Our Services
We offer a comprehensive scope of services to spur Buruli ulcer research and development, and as such, we are actively involved in investigating and developing Buruli vaccine candidates. Our company has emerged as a leader in vaccine technologies and research. Our team of professionals undertakes thorough preclinical studies including but not limited to the development of in vivo and in vitro models to test the safety and effectiveness of vaccine candidates.
- Mouse (Mus musculus) Models
- Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus) Models
- Pig (Sus scrofa) Models
- Cynomologus Monkey (Maca fascicularis) Models
- African Rat (Mastomys natalensis) Models
- Others
It further goes without saying that we are dedicated to the invention of advanced drug treatments for Buruli ulcer. We identify new drug targets using preclinical research to test the effectiveness of new drugs. For people who wish to know more or even get an answer, who to send an inquiry concerning our offer - we will be happy to help.
References
- Dhungel Laxmi, Mark Eric Benbow, and Heather Rose Jordan. "Linking the Mycobacterium ulcerans environment to Buruli ulcer disease: Progress and challenges." One Health 13 (2021): 100311.
- Popa, Gabriela Loredana, Alexandru Andrei Muntean, and Mircea Ioan Popa. "Recent Advances in the Management Strategies for Buruli Ulcers." Pathogens 12.9 (2023): 1088.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
