A targeted opsonization platform for programming innate immunity against rapidly evolving novel viruses.

Technical Report · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1820519· OSTI ID:1820519

Cahill, Jesse ^[1]; Ghosh, Koushik ^[1]; Carson, Bryan ^[1]; Harmon, Brooke ^[1]; Ricken, Bryce ^[1]; Schwedler, Jenn ^[1]; Thatcher, Christine ^[1]; Callaway, Rachel ^[1]; Branch, Darren ^[1]; Lobitz, Mia ^[1]; Humphrey, Brittany ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Recent work has shown that artificial opsonins stimulate the targeted destruction of bacteria by phagocyte immune cells. Artificial opsonization has the potential to direct the innate immune system to target novel antigens, potentially even viral pathogens. Furthermore, the engagement of innate immunity presents a potential solution for the spread of pandemics in a scenario when a vaccine is unavailable or ineffective. Funded by the LDRD late start bioscience pandemic response program, we tested whether artificial opsonins can be developed to target viral pathogens using phage MS2 and a SARS-CoV-2 surrogate. To direct opsonization against these viruses we purified antibody derived viral targeting motifs and attempted the same chemical conjugation strategies that produced bacterial targeting artificial opsonins. However, the viral targeting motifs proved challenging to conjugate using these methods, frequently resulting in precipitation and loss of product. Future studies may be successful with this approach if a smaller and more soluble viral-targeting peptide could be used.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• DOE Contract Number: NA0003525
• OSTI ID: 1820519
• Report Number(s): SAND2021-11399R; 699391
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES