Research focus
Human influenza is a contagious disease caused by influenza A or B viruses. Influenza is characterized by high morbidity and considerable mortality especially among the elderly and certain risk groups. Influenza A viruses circulate in several animal species and create problems, in terms of animal welfare, but also as a reservoir of new genes for humans influenza A viruses. Influenza is a vaccine-preventable disease and a few small molecule antiviral drugs are available.
We are focusing on the extracellular domain of the conserved M2-protein (M2e), for the development of a cross-protective human influenza A vaccine. We demonstrated that recombinant, M2e-fusion proteins can be used as a universal vaccine against Influenza A. This vaccine also successfully passed a phase I clinical trial. We are elucidating the immune mechanism of action of the M2e-vaccine. We are also pursuing a new approach to develop a cross-protective vaccine against influenza B virus and are developing novel antibody-based therapeutics against influenza viruses.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most important cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection in very young children. Disease caused by RSV is very contagious and almost everyone is infected with RSV by the age of two years. Infections also reoccur throughout life. In the very young (from birth until the age of two years), the virus can cause severe respiratory tract disease characterized by bronchiolitis (inflammation of the bronchioles), pneumonia, and apnea (temporary cessation of breathing). One percent of RSV-infected children below the age of six months require hospitalization. In the USA, 100,000 children are hospitalized each year due to RSV, and 4500 children die from the infection. Worldwide, RSV causes 180,000 deaths each year. There is no vaccine and only one specific antiviral drug against RSV and supportive treatment is the only medical option for RSV-infected patients. Therefore, our group is developing novel vaccines and therapeutic agents for RSV infection.
We also explore the use of novel antibody-based therapeutics against influenza A and B viruses.
Senior expert scientist: Walter Fiers
Publications
Nanobodies With In Vitro Neutralizing Activity Protect Mice Against H5N1 Influenza Virus InfectionIbanez L, De Filette M, Hultberg A, Verrips T, Temperton N, Weiss R, Vandevelde W, Schepens B, Vanlandschoot P, Saelens XJOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES, 203, 1063-72, 2011 Universal vaccine based on ectodomain of matrix protein 2 of influenza A: Fc receptors and alveolar macrophages mediate protectionEl Bakkouri K, Descamps F, De Filette M, Smet A, Festjens E, Birkett A, Van Rooijen N, Verbeek S, Fiers W, Saelens XJOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, 186, 1022-31, 2011 An influenza A vaccine based on tetrameric ectodomain of matrix protein 2De Filette M, Martens W, Roose K, Deroo T, Vervalle F, Bentahir M, Vandekerckhove J, Fiers W, Saelens XJOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY, 283, 11382-7, 2008
News
26/08/2011 - BBC World News interviews Xavier Saelens about his quest to develop a universal flu vaccine. 26/12/2007 - The British-American biotech company Acambis reports the successful tests of the universal flu vaccine on humans. 17/07/2007 - A universal influenza vaccine that has been pioneered by researchers from VIB and Ghent University is being tested for the first time on humans by the British-American biotech company Acambis.
 Xavier SaelensResearch area(s)BioPh.D.: Univ. of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium, 1990 Post-doc: Univ. of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium, 1990-2004 VIB Project Leader since 2005 VIB Expert Scientist since 2009 Contact Info
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