Congratulations to Dr. Ivana Parker, assistant professor in the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, for her groundbreaking research on the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which has been accepted for publication in the prestigious journal Molecular & Cellular Proteomics. The manuscript, Multi-Level Proteomics Reveals Epigenetic Signatures in BCG-mediated Macrophage Activation (MCPRO-D-24-00160R2), explores the epigenetic mechanisms driving BCG-induced trained immunity.

The BCG vaccine, primarily known for preventing tuberculosis (TB), has wide-ranging immunogenic effects, including the ability to induce trained immunity—a memory-like response in innate immune cells like macrophages. Dr. Parker’s research delves into how epigenetic modifications mediate this phenomenon, leveraging mass spectrometry-based proteomics to uncover novel insights into the vaccine’s immunomodulatory effects.

Key Findings:

• Multi-Level Proteomics Approach: The study utilized total proteomics, histone-focused proteomics, and phosphoproteomics to identify networks and mechanisms involved in BCG-induced macrophage activation.
• Integrated Data Analysis: Histone and total proteomics data were generated at the University of Cape Town (ProteomeXchange identifier PXD051187), with additional phosphoproteomics data sourced from ProteomeXchange (identifier PXD013171).
• Epigenetic Effectors Identified: Six epigenetic effectors—NuA4, NuRD, NSL, Sin3A, SIRT2, and SIRT6—were paired with their substrates, highlighting their potential roles in driving the trained immunity phenotype.

This study represents a significant advancement in understanding how BCG modulates immune responses through epigenetic pathways, offering valuable insights into vaccine development and the potential for novel therapeutic strategies.