Madison Seefeld
Albumin-Hitchhiking Intranasal Vaccines for Enhanced Delivery and Uptake
Abstract
Novel immunization methods are needed to defend against respiratory pathogens as traditional parenteral vaccines tend to elicit poor mucosal immunity. Mucosal immunity more closely mimics the response that follows natural infection and results in immune protection at barrier tissues, where pathogens are first encountered. Mucosal vaccines are one approach to generate stronger mucosal immune responses, but one challenge is the lack of uptake across epithelial tissues at barrier sites. One strategy to cross the mucosa is through albumin transcytosis via the neonatal Fc receptor. We are currently developing subunit vaccines consisting of antigen conjugated to an albumin-binding lipid tail, termed amphiphile vaccines. Here, I propose to optimize this amphiphile vaccine platform for different immune cargo, elucidate the role of antigen kinetics in the NALT on mucosal immune response and functional protection, and translate this immunization strategy to other infectious diseases.
I am incredibly honored to have been chosen as a recipient of the PhRMA Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship in Drug Delivery. Not only will this award provide valuable funding, but it will also connect me with other scientists conducting groundbreaking research in drug delivery. I am excited to use this fellowship to continue my work on albumin hitch-hiking intranasal vaccines for better uptake and protection against infectious diseases.
