University Medical Center Freiburg

Researchers find that an antimicrobial molecule modifies T-cell-signalling and thus attenuates overshooting immune reactions. Acute Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a life-threatening complication after leukemia treatment with allogeneic stem cell transplantation, i.e. the transplantation of cells from another person. GvHD occurs when the transplanted immune cells are overly active and damage the receiving patient's healthy tissue. Researchers from the University Medical Center Freiburg and the Cluster of Excellence CIBSS of the University of Freiburg found that an endogenous molecule can mitigate this misdirected immune response. For many leukemia patients, receiving a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplantation is essential for survival. This treatment, however, results in complications in almost every second patient: The transplanted immune cells, especially T cells, not only attack the cancer cells but also healthy tissue. This leads to severe inflammatory reactions, especially of the skin and intestine. Even with drug prophylaxis and treatment, acute GvHD often is fatal. In other inflammatory diseases of the gut, such as ulcerative colitis, epithelial cells of the gut release increased amounts of the molecule human beta-defensin 2 (hBD-2). This defensin has antimicrobial properties and can prevent infections. Recent studies also suggest that the molecule can also have a regulatory effect on immune cells. A team led by Junior Professor Dr. Natalie Köhler, researcher at the University Medical Center Freiburg and the Cluster of Excellence CIBSS -- Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies of the University of Freiburg, now investigated whether hBD-2 impacts inflammation in GvHD. They found that administration of hBD-2 significantly improved severity of disease and mortality in mice with acute GvHD. The promising results have been published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Low hBD-2 levels in patients with acute GvHD The researchers first compared hBD-2 levels in the intestinal tissue of patients with acute GvHD with those of patients with ulcerative colitis and healthy volunteers. "Although both diseases are characterized by inflammatory processes in the intestine, hBD-2 was only increased in patients with ulcerative colitis, not in patients with acute GvHD," says Köhler, describing the observations from gene expression analyses and microscopic examinations. Lower T cell activity and fewer immune cells in the gut under treatment with hBD-2 The researchers then tested whether the administration of hBD-2 has an effect on the course of acute GvHD in mice. Indeed, the allogeneic T cell response was reduced in the gut of mice that received hBD-2. The researchers attributed this effect to the molecule's influence on signalling pathways that trigger the activation of resting T cells. Furthermore, they found that the administration of hBD-2 changed the composition of the bacterial flora in the mice's intestines and decreased the number of neutrophil immune cells migrating into the intestinal tissue, reducing their contribution to the inflammatory reaction there. "In summary, our study shows that prophylactic treatment with hBD-2 inhibits the allogeneic T cell response and influences the intestinal microbiome, thereby reducing acute GvHD severity." says Köhler. "At the same time, the T cells' effect against the leukemia cells is maintained." This makes hBD-2 an interesting candidate for further investigation and clinical trials, and might be used as a prophylactic in allogeneic stem cell transplantation in the future, the researchers say.

BASEL, Switzerland, Sept. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VectivBio Holding AG (“VectivBio”) (Nasdaq: VECT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering novel transformational treatments for severe rare conditions, today announced upcoming investor events. VectivBio R&D Day VectivBio will host a virtual R&D Day for analysts and investors on Tuesday, September 21, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. EDT. The Company will share the progress of its late-stage clinical candidate, apraglutide, a next-generation GLP-2 analog, in Short Bowel Syndrome with Intestinal Failure (SBS-IF) and Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD), as well as present their new CoMET platform for Inherited Metabolic Diseases. VectivBio’s management team will be joined by KOLs: Dr. Kishore Iyer, Director of Adult and Pediatric Intestinal Rehabilitation & Transplantation at Mount Sinai Medical Center, and Dr. Robert Zeiser, Head of Tumor Immunology and Immune Modulation at the University Medical Center Freiburg, who will discuss the latest research in SBS-IF and GVHD, respectively. The webcast can be accessed in the “Events & Presentations” section of VectivBio’s website at and registration is now open. The presentation and Q&A session can also be accessed by dialing (855) 307-5413 (U.S.) or (929) 517-0945 (International) and entering conference ID: 3579678. SVB Leerink CybeRX Series: Neuromuscular, Rare Diseases & Genetic Medicines 1x1 Event VectivBio’s management team will be participating in 1x1 investor meetings at the SVB Leerink CybeRX Series: Neuromuscular, Rare Diseases & Genetic Medicines 1x1 Event on Thursday, September 23, 2021. To request a meeting with VectivBio, please contact your SVB Leerink representative. About VectivBio AG VectivBio (Nasdaq: VECT) is a global, clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative treatments for severe rare conditions with high unmet medical need. VectivBio is committed to pursuing product candidates with a clear mechanism of action and the potential to meaningfully transform and improve the lives of patients and their families. VectivBio’s product candidate, apraglutide, is a next-generation GLP-2 analog being developed as a differentiated therapeutic for a range of rare gastrointestinal diseases. Apraglutide is currently being evaluated in a global Phase 3 clinical trial as a once-weekly treatment for short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure. VectivBio also plans to initiate clinical studies of apraglutide in additional indications, including graft versus host disease, where GLP-2 is believed to be central to disease pathophysiology. Forward Looking Statements Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Words and phrases such as “anticipated,” “forward,” “will,” “would,” “may,” “remain,” “potential,” “prepare,” “expected,” “believe,” “plan,” “near future,” “belief,” “guidance,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond VectivBio’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and those risks and uncertainties identified in the “Risk Factors” section of VectivBio’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 8, 2021 and its other subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, VectivBio undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. For more information visit , and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Investors Graham Morrell graham.morrell@vectivbio.com Media Morgan Warners +1 (202) 295 0124 morgan.warners@fgh.com