PME Thesis Defense: Rachel Wallace

Polymeric Delivery Approaches for the Modulation of Humoral Immunity<br /><br />

The humoral immune response refers to the generation of highly specific circulating antibodies in response to foreign antigens. Antibody responses are critical for pathogen recognition and clearance as well as vaccination efficacy. However, when antibody responses are generated against self or innocuous antigens such as food, commensal microbiota, and protein therapeutics, the antibodies can lead to complications such as autoimmunity, allergy, and drug hypersensitivity. Here, I will present two strategies to modulate these responses. First, we developed surface-decorated polymersomes for the delivery of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to increase the RBD-specific antibody response for vaccination. Second, we found that pre-treatment with synthetically mannosylated antigens can increase antigen delivery to the liver and result in reduced antigen-specific antibody responses upon subsequent administration. Antigen delivery using our mannose polymer has translational potential to limit detrimental anti-drug antibody formation against immunogenic biologics.

<a href="https://uchicago.zoom.us/j/93513485104?pwd=TzlmK0NOaW1HbHlld0E4Y2RhS0Fw… Link</a><br />
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