Multivalent Scaffolds to Promote B cell Tolerance

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases are characterized by aberrant immune responses toward self-antigens. Current treatments lack specificity, promoting adverse effects by broadly suppressing the immune system. Therapies that specifically target the immune cells responsible for disease are a compelling strategy to mitigate adverse effects. Multivalent formats that display numerous binding epitopes off a single scaffold may enable selective immunomodulation by eliciting signals through pathways unique to the targeted immune cells. However, the architecture of multivalent immunotherapies can vary widely, and there is limited clinical data with which to evaluate their efficacy. Here, we set forth to review the architectural properties and functional mechanisms afforded by multivalent ligands and evaluate four multivalent scaffolds that address autoimmunity by altering B cell signaling pathways. First, we address both synthetic and natural polymer backbones functionalized with a variety of small molecule, peptide, and protein ligands for probing the effects of valency and costimulation. Then, we review nanoparticles composed entirely from immune signals which have been shown to be efficacious. Lastly, we outline multivalent liposomal nanoparticles capable of displaying high numbers of protein antigens. Taken together, these examples highlight the versatility and desirability of multivalent ligands for immunomodulation and illuminate strengths and weaknesses of multivalent scaffolds for treating autoimmunity.

Mathematical Modelling Indicates Th-cell Targeted Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxic Is a Crucial Obstacle Hurdling HIV Vaccine Development

“…Numerous studies in materials science have demonstrated that for chimeric nanomaterials with a linear framework, bivalent or low-valency antigens often exhibit the ability to eliminate self-reactive B cells or antibodies, whereas high-valency antigens usually exhibit less efficacy [44][45][46][47]. We hypothesize that this is because both high-valency and bivalent antigens can trigger the same ADCC effects on B cells, but high-valency antigens induce a more robust Th-cell immunogenicity due to the higher peptide fragment concentrations presented during antigen presentation, resulting in an increase in the k4 value.…”