Glycopolymer-conjugated antigens as an inverse vaccine platform prevent anaphylaxis in a pre-clinical model of food allergy

Cao, S.; Maulloo, C. D.; Raczy, M. M.; Sabados, M.; Slezak, A. J.; Nguyen, M.; Solanki, A.; Wallace, R. P.; Shim, H.-N.; Wilson, D. S.; Hubbell, J. A.

doi:10.1101/2023.03.23.534004

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2023.03.23.534004

Glycopolymer-conjugated antigens as an inverse vaccine platform prevent anaphylaxis in a pre-clinical model of food allergy

Cao, S.·Maulloo, C. D.·Raczy, M. M.·Sabados, M.·Slezak, A. J.·Nguyen, M.·Solanki, A.·Wallace, R. P.·Shim, H.-N.·Wilson, D. S.·Hubbell, J. A.

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Abstract

The only FDA-approved oral immunotherapy for a food allergy provides protection against accidental exposure to peanuts. However, this therapy often causes discomfort or side effects and requires long-term commitment. Better preventive and therapeutic solutions are urgently needed. We have developed a tolerance-inducing vaccine technology that utilizes glycosylation-modified antigens to induce antigen-specific non-responsiveness. The glycosylation-modified antigens were administered intravenously (i.v.) or subcutaneously (s.c.) and were found to traffic to the liver or lymph nodes, respectively, leading to preferential internalization by antigen-presenting cells, educating the immune system to respond in an innocuous way. In a mouse model of cows milk allergy, treatment with glycosylation-modified {beta}- lactoglobulin (BLG) was effective in preventing the onset of allergy. In addition, s.c. administration of glycosylation-modified BLG showed superior safety and potential in treating existing allergies in combination with an anti-CD20 co-therapy. This platform may provide an antigen-specific immunomodulatory strategy to prevent and treat food allergies.

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Cao, S., Maulloo, C. D., Raczy, M. M., Sabados, M., Slezak, A. J., Nguyen, M., Solanki, A., Wallace, R. P., Shim, H.-N., Wilson, D. S., Hubbell, J. A.. 2023-03-25. Glycopolymer-conjugated antigens as an inverse vaccine platform prevent anaphylaxis in a pre-clinical model of food allergy. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.03.23.534004

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