Nisha Pandey

IIT Kanpur Scientists Reveal How Experimental Vaccine Booster Activates Immune System, Encourage Safer Vaccines

IIT Kanpur Scientists Reveal How Experimental Vaccine Booster Activates Immune System

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have uncovered how an experimental vaccine booster molecule activates the body's immune system, a breakthrough that could help researchers develop safer and more effective vaccines in the future.

The study, published this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), provides the first detailed structural view of how a synthetic molecule called EP67 binds to and activates an important immune receptor known as C5aR1. The findings offer researchers a molecular blueprint for improving vaccine adjuvants, the ingredients added to vaccines to strengthen and prolong immune protection.

Unlike vaccines, which train the immune system to recognize a specific pathogen, adjuvants help amplify the body's immune response, making vaccines more effective.

<h2>Inspired By The Body's Natural Immune System</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/us-reports-2260-measles-cases-in-just-over-six-months-of-2026-cdc-article-155145602" data-type="tilCustomLink">US Reports 2,260 Measles Cases In Just Over Six Months Of 2026: CDC</a>

The researchers developed <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/indias-first-approved-dengue-vaccine-takedas-qdenga-protects-against-all-four-virus-serotypes-article-155137910" data-type="tilCustomLink">EP67</a> by taking inspiration from C5a, a naturally occurring immune protein released during bacterial and viral infections. While C5a helps activate immune cells to fight infections, prolonged activation can trigger harmful inflammation and damage healthy tissues.

To overcome this challenge, the IIT Kanpur team engineered EP67, a much smaller version consisting of just 10 amino acids.

The molecule retains the beneficial immune-stimulating properties of C5a while limiting the inflammatory effects. According to the researchers, EP67 selectively activates dendritic cells and macrophages, two immune cells that play a central role in generating long-lasting immunity, while largely avoiding activation of neutrophils, immune cells that are often responsible for excessive inflammatory responses.

This selective activation makes EP67 a promising candidate as a vaccine adjuvant capable of producing stronger immune protection without triggering inflammation.

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Previous animal studies have shown the potential of EP67 in boosting vaccine responses.

When incorporated into experimental vaccines against multiple viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/covid-19-in-india-omicron-rf-5-primarily-affects-throat-unlikely-to-trigger-pneumonia-in-healthy-people-say-experts-article-155138964" data-type="tilCustomLink">COVID-19</a>, mice developed stronger immune responses than those receiving vaccines alone. Researchers also observed faster recovery in infected animals.

Beyond vaccines, EP67 has also shown promise against bacterial infections, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a major antibiotic-resistant pathogen.

However, the molecule has not yet entered clinical use in humans, and additional preclinical research will be required before human trials can begin.

Although scientists had previously observed EP67's immune-boosting effects, precisely how the molecule worked remained vague for a long time.

The IIT Kanpur researchers found that EP67 binds to C5aR1, a receptor located on the surface of immune cells. C5aR1 belongs to the large family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are involved in transmitting signals into cells and are among the most common targets for modern medicines.

Using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), the team captured near-atomic-resolution images showing EP67 adopting a hook-like shape that fits into the centre of the receptor, switching it on and initiating immune activation.

The structural insights have already enabled researchers to redesign EP67 by modifying its amino acid sequence to improve its stability and receptor binding. The next steps would be refining the formulation and introducing it in pre-clinical tests.

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Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have uncovered how an experimental vaccine booster molecule activates the body's immune system, a breakthrough that could help researchers develop safer and more effective vaccines in the future.The study, published this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), provides the first detailed structural view of how a synthetic molecule called EP67 binds to and activates an important immune receptor known as C5aR1. The findings offer researchers a molecular blueprint for improving vaccine adjuvants, the ingredients added to vaccines to strengthen and prolong immune protection.Unlike vaccines, which train the immune system to recognize a specific pathogen, adjuvants help amplify the body's immune response, making vaccines more effective.Inspired By The Body's Natural Immune SystemAlso read: US Reports 2,260 Measles Cases In Just Over Six Months Of 2026: CDCThe researchers developed EP67 by taking inspiration from C5a, a naturally occurring immune protein released during bacterial and viral infections. While C5a helps activate immune cells to fight infections, prolonged activation can trigger harmful inflammation and damage healthy tissues.To overcome this challenge, the IIT Kanpur team engineered EP67, a much smaller version consisting of just 10 amino acids. The molecule retains the beneficial immune-stimulating properties of C5a while limiting the inflammatory effects. According to the researchers, EP67 selectively activates dendritic cells and macrophages, two immune cells that play a central role in generating long-lasting immunity, while largely avoiding activation of neutrophils, immune cells that are often responsible for excessive inflammatory responses.This selective activation makes EP67 a promising candidate as a vaccine adjuvant capable of producing stronger immune protection without triggering inflammation.Earlier Studies          Previous animal studies have shown the potential of EP67 in boosting vaccine responses.When incorporated into experimental vaccines against multiple viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, mice developed stronger immune responses than those receiving vaccines alone. Researchers also observed faster recovery in infected animals.Beyond vaccines, EP67 has also shown promise against bacterial infections, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a major antibiotic-resistant pathogen.However, the molecule has not yet entered clinical use in humans, and additional preclinical research will be required before human trials can begin.Although scientists had previously observed EP67's immune-boosting effects, precisely how the molecule worked remained vague for a long time.The IIT Kanpur researchers found that EP67 binds to C5aR1, a receptor located on the surface of immune cells. C5aR1 belongs to the large family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are involved in transmitting signals into cells and are among the most common targets for modern medicines.Using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), the team captured near-atomic-resolution images showing EP67 adopting a hook-like shape that fits into the centre of the receptor, switching it on and initiating immune activation.The structural insights have already enabled researchers to redesign EP67 by modifying its amino acid sequence to improve its stability and receptor binding. The next steps would be refining the formulation and introducing it in pre-clinical tests.

iit kanpur scientists reveal how experimental vaccine booster activates immune system, encourage safer vaccines

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