(19c) Peptide Aggregation Induced Immunogenic Rupture (PAIIR)

Peptide Aggregation Induced Immunogenic Rupture (PAIIR)

Gokhan Gunay M.Sc., PhD Candidate: Gokhan.Gunay-1@ou.edu

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) involves damage to the cell membrane and release of damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), molecules that can engage innate immune cells and are natural adjuvants for inducing immune response. In the presence of an antigen, released DAMPs can be a decisive factor regarding the type and magnitude of the immune response, and therefore the longevity and efficacy of an antigen-specific immunity. The role of ICD and DAMP release has been studied in diverse set of applications such as vaccine design and immunotherapies. Introducing a co-assembling oppositely charged peptides (CoOP) strategy¹ we have shown a controllable peptide aggregation for the induction of ICD. We have used this strategy to design a vaccine against influenza hemagglutinin antigens² as well as model antigen ovalbumin (OVA). Our results show that aggregation induced ICD and DAMP release is comparable and further activates bone marrow derived dendritic cells into a pro-inflammatory state through the release of DAMPs. This system will further be used in an in vivo tumor model and would represent a strategy to engage ICD and DAMP release for a diverse set of applications.

Figure 1 Peptide aggregation induced immunogenic rupture (PAIIR) is a platform engaging damage-associated molecular patterns for robust antigen-specific immunity.

References

1. Hamsici, S., White, A. D. & Acar, H. Peptide framework for screening the effects of amino acids on assembly. Science Advances (2022) doi:10.1126/sciadv.abj0305.
2. Gunay, G. et al. Peptide Aggregation Induced Immunogenic Rupture (PAIIR). BioRxiv 472230, (2021).