This project is focused on the development of a unique GMP-compliant particle molding technology that we have pioneered called PRINT? (Particle Replication in non-wetting templates) as a delivery platform for particulate multivalent vaccines targeting influenza and Dengue viruses. PRINT provides complete control over particle size, shape and chemical composition, and enables the systematic tailoring of antigen proximity to the particle, antigen density and particle size and shape to screen and identify the optimal particle parameters to elicit enhanced immunological responses. The down-selected particle parameters will provide design rules to manufacture influenza and dengue particulate multivalent vaccines to investigate the ability to generate a complete and robust neutralizing antibody response to each antigen. Also, additional Projects within our Program will utilize these multivalent particulate vaccines to address the use of novel adjuvants to modulate the immune response. These particulate vaccines will be evaluated in a humanized mouse model to determine how to prevent infection of homotypic or all 4 dengue virus serotypes. We will combine the learning from each Project to scale-up the most promising multivalent particulate vaccines and advance these to large animal challenge studies for both influenza and dengue. Due to the immediate medical need for multivalent vaccines for influenza and dengue and the cGMP-compliant nature of our particle molding technology, the formulations can be advanced into product development for human trials.

Public Health Relevance

This project will employ a novel, cGMP-compliant nanoparticle molding technology that we have pioneered to develop multivalent vaccines against influenza and dengue virus. Utilizing the unique 'plug and play' capabilities of our process to incorporate and 'mix and match' known anitgens, we will be able to adapt our findings to tailor particulate vaccines to protect against emerging or re-emerging infectious disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Program--Cooperative Agreements (U19)
Project #
5U19AI109784-05
Application #
9517720
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAI1)
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2018-07-01
Budget End
2019-06-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Type
DUNS #
608195277
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
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Swanson, Karen V; Junkins, Robert D; Kurkjian, Cathryn J et al. (2017) A noncanonical function of cGAMP in inflammasome priming and activation. J Exp Med 214:3611-3626

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