Porous Silicon Particles as Adjuvant to Modulate Immune Response and Deliver Antigens for Vaccination
Tech ID: 21971 / UC Case 2011-164-0
Background
Modulating immune responses to pathogen invasion and tumors is a major goal in immunotherapy. Progress towards this goal can be accomplished by stimulating the immune response in vivo through active immunization. Biodegradable particles can be engineered for the purpose of improving immunization. Particulates can elicit potent immune responses, either by direct immuno-stimulation of antigen presenting cells or/and by delivering antigen to specific cellular compartments and promoting antigen uptake by appropriate stimulatory cell types. Micro- and nanoparticles derived from porous Si have been proposed as carriers to deliver external imaging and therapeutic but the immune response that may be triggered by functionalized silicon nanoparticles has thus far not been explored.Technology Description
UC San Diego researchers have developed porous silicon nano/micro-particles for use as adjuvants to more effectively modulate immune responses and deliver antigens for vaccination. For example, avidin was physically incorporated into porous Si nanoparticles, then anti-CD40 antibody conjugated with the nanoparticles through avidin-biotin interaction. CD40 is a costimulatory protein found on antigen presenting cells (APCs) and is required for their activation. In the invention, the porous Si nanoparticle construction is significantly more potent in stimulating APCs than free standing anti-CD40 antibody in vitro. APCs targeting protein with antigen can also be co-incorporated into porous Si nanoparticles together with anti-CD40 antibody to form “porous Si NanoVaccine.” Use of the constructed porous Si NanoVaccine can induce an immunity memory towards the given antigen. Multiple antigens and costimulatory molecules can be incorporated simultaneously into the porous Si NanoVaccine. Further, the intrinsic photoluminescence of porous Si nanoparticles allows for in vivo tracking. The invention could potentially enable utilizing the self immune system to treat diseases.Intellectual Property Info
This technology has a patent pending and is available for licensing and sponsorship.Patent Status
| Country | Type | Number | Dated | Case |
| United States Of America | Published Application | 12-0171292 | 07/05/2012 | 2011-164 |
Other Information
Categorized As
Related cases
2011-164-0
Keywords
porous silicon, nanoparticles, immunotherapy, immune response, nanovaccine, immunization, vaccination, antigen delivery
Contact
University of California, San Diego Technology Transfer Office / invent@ucsd.edu / tel: View Phone Number. Please reference Tech ID #21971.