Novel Adjuvant Development for IL-1 Pathway
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Category
STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics)
Abstract/Artist Statement
Infectious diseases contribute to high mortality rates across the world. Vaccines provide promising protection against rapid mutating pathogens that induce disease, such as influenza. Vaccines activate the innate immune system with initial exposure to a specific pathogen or pathogen subunit, therefore improving the adaptive immune system by eliciting a more selective response when naturally exposed. Adjuvants can be added for a more specific immune response by targeting specific receptors, such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Activation of TLRs lead to downstream effects including activation of NF-kB and production of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β. However, TLRs have a broad function making them not ideal candidates to target for a specific immune response. The IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) is a potential target for adjuvant stimulation due to its specificity as it is activated by endogenous IL-1β. IL-1β has been considered for an adjuvant for vaccines, however expenses and autoimmunity against IL-1β discouraged further development. Therefore, there is a need for small molecule adjuvants that stimulate the immune system specifically to provide long-term, specific defenses against various strains of a pathogen. This work uses organic and biochemical strategies to study a lead molecule, identified through highthroughput screening, which has been screened for the IL-1 pathway, and could provide insight as to how this immunomodulator stimulates the IL-1 pathway.
Mentor Name
Kendal Ryter
Novel Adjuvant Development for IL-1 Pathway
UC North Ballroom
Infectious diseases contribute to high mortality rates across the world. Vaccines provide promising protection against rapid mutating pathogens that induce disease, such as influenza. Vaccines activate the innate immune system with initial exposure to a specific pathogen or pathogen subunit, therefore improving the adaptive immune system by eliciting a more selective response when naturally exposed. Adjuvants can be added for a more specific immune response by targeting specific receptors, such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Activation of TLRs lead to downstream effects including activation of NF-kB and production of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β. However, TLRs have a broad function making them not ideal candidates to target for a specific immune response. The IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) is a potential target for adjuvant stimulation due to its specificity as it is activated by endogenous IL-1β. IL-1β has been considered for an adjuvant for vaccines, however expenses and autoimmunity against IL-1β discouraged further development. Therefore, there is a need for small molecule adjuvants that stimulate the immune system specifically to provide long-term, specific defenses against various strains of a pathogen. This work uses organic and biochemical strategies to study a lead molecule, identified through highthroughput screening, which has been screened for the IL-1 pathway, and could provide insight as to how this immunomodulator stimulates the IL-1 pathway.