Understanding antibody deficiencies
EC-funded project IMPAD dealt with a number of aspects of primary antibody deficiencies including understanding the genetic origins of these conditions and their impact at a cellular level. Project partner, University of Applied Sciences in Germany focused on the aetiology of CVID in particular and on the development of novel diagnostic tools for its characterisation. Within the IMPAD framework, University researchers developed new technologies that could eventually form part of a novel diagnostics for CVID. It was established that CVID patient subgroups display reduced counts of specific biological markers in the serum, such as sCD21. CD21 is a B cell receptor forming part of the "triggering" of the immune system. In healthy individuals CD21 averages at about 300ng/ml but in CVID patients these numbers are severely reduced. Research resulted in a new purification method for CD21 from human serum as the basis for a new diagnostic test. Furthermore, new insight has been gained into the function of CD21 and the signalling pathways involved. Patents have been applied for and the researchers are keen to form collaborative agreements with interested parties in order to further exploit the potential of these developments. Such agreements might include joint venture deals or collaborations with public bodies.
