The latest research of Shuran Gong helps turn this vision into reality with the creation of a useful in vitro system that acts like a mini human immune system in a dish. For building the in vitro system, we used human blood cells kept in a culture medium that provides essential nutrients and maintains a stable environment. From a panel of media, we selected the one that optimally supports the performance of diverse immune cells. We then focused on B cells and found that the type of vaccine profoundly affects their production of antibodies. Additionally, we introduced neutrophils—which account for a significant proportion of human blood cells but whose role in vaccination is unclear—into the in vitro culture system. We observed intense mutual interactions of neutrophils and other immune cells, resulting in modulation and fine-tuning of the vaccine-evoked immune responses.
Finally, we used the human blood cell-based in vitro system to evaluate a promising new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, identifying a key adjuvant that boosts its protective efficacy while minimizing unnecessary inflammation. The developed in vitro system isn't just a scientific advance—it's a practical tool that bridges the gap between lab research and real-world medicine, and can accelerate the delivery of effective, safe vaccines to everyone.
