Blocking BAFF signaling to treat Proliferative Kidney Disease (PKD) in trout

Introduction

PKDControl is aimed at validating the use of a recombinant protein to reduce the pathology and mortality produced by proliferative kidney disease (PKD) in salmonids. PKD is caused by the myxozoan parasite Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae that affects both cultured and wild salmonids in North America and Europe.

Economic Impact

It can eventually lead to mortalities of up to 90%, generating great economic losses every year to the aquaculture industry. This problem may be aggravated by global warming since the incidence and severity of PKD are exacerbated by rising temperatures.

Previous Research

During my ERC Consolidator Grant, we have demonstrated that the cytokine BAFF (B cell activating factor) mediates the dysregulation of diverse B cell subsets present in the kidney during PKD. We have shown that the intramuscular injection of a plasmid coding for the extracellular domain of BAFF receptor (BAFF-R) led to secretion of this truncated BAFF-R (tBAFF-R) that, in turn, sequestered circulating BAFF, blocking BAFF signaling.

Preliminary Results

Preliminary field tests in Spain and the USA demonstrated the potential of this approach in reducing the pathology and mortality of the infected stocks.

Project Objectives

In this project, we will:

1. Recombinantly produce tBAFF-R in yeast to facilitate its uptake by the industry.
2. Test its bioactivity in both lab and field experiments.

Intellectual Property Rights

In parallel to these technical activities, we will reinforce the IPR position based on a PCT - “international” - patent application that has received a very positive patentability report by the patent office.

Long-term Strategy

We will also:

• Design a long-term IPR strategy.
• Develop a knowledge transfer strategy through the recently initiated collaboration with a fish health management company, willing to reach commercialization of tBAFF-R under a license and to contribute with their own funds to the activities carried out under this project.

Business Development

A business case will also be elaborated to support the commercialization of the recombinant tBAFF-R to ensure that the innovation potential of our results is realized.