Project description
Harnessing the skin's immune system could mean the end of needles for vaccinations
The skin is not only a physical barrier that protects our body from pathogens; it also plays a role in immunity. Targeting the activation of skin-resident immune cells could be a convenient and efficient way to deliver vaccines and other treatments. While the concept of a skin immune system was introduced nearly 40 years ago, we only recently learned about the full potential of these immune cells located in both the epidermis and dermis. In particular, Langerhans cells (LCs) are antigen-presenting cells located in the epidermis. The EU-funded TALL project is targeting antigen delivery to receptors on LCs with the goal of triggering an immune response with a simple transdermal patch as an alternative to intramuscular vaccination. Successful lab tests will pave the way for clinical trials and signal the end of needles for all those childhood vaccines and boosters.
Objective
The skin is an attractive target in human vaccination harboring a dense network of immune cells. For instance, Lagerhans cells (LCs) are specialized in the identification of antigens derived from pathogens, and their subsequent internalization and presentation to induce a T cell response. The aim of the present proposal is to establish a novel mechanism for antigen delivery, targeted specifically to a particular receptor of LCs, Langerin, capable of triggering a T cell response. To this end, the vaccine scaffold will be composed of a T cell stimulating peptide covalently linked to a glycomimetic probe aiming exclusively to Langerin.
This project gathers the use of several techniques derived from both chemistry and biology at the disposal of immunology. First, molecular docking of the binding groove in complex with the antigenic peptide will be crucial to rationally design the vaccine scaffold. Once chosen, the most suitable candidate will be synthetized and analyzed by a combination of different Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) techniques. Elucidation of the antigen-Langerin affinity using NMR experiments will be critical to choose the most specific antigen to be further employed in biological tests. Antigen uptake will be monitored by flow cytometry and confocal imaging. Whole skin cell suspensions will be then employed to test the specificity of the construct. Finally, antigenic peptides will be tested for T cell activation and proliferation.
The translational outcome of this research will be applied in the design of transdermal patches, which represent an attractive approach to intramuscular vaccination, allowing targeted and pain-free delivery with minimal invasiveness.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs vaccines
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy confocal microscopy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1010 WIEN
Austria
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.