Generating antigen-specific immune tolerance through liver targeted peptide-loaded nanoparticles

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are capable to induce tolerance against blood borne antigens, e.g. those originating from food. We mimic those antigens by small peptide-loaded nanoparticles which are intravenously injected. After active and rapid uptake of those nanoparticles by the LSECs, peptide-specific regulatory T cells are generated which confer tolerance against one or more specific antigens in the periphery of the body. A one-time application of our peptide-loaded nanoparticles in EAE mice led to complete tolerance against this MS-like disease. We will discuss the underlying mechanism, the extension to other diseases and applications as well as the fate of the nanoparticles in the body.
Timm Jessen is biochemist and received his academic career in Kiel, Munich, Cambridge and Boston. He spent six years in pharma before he assumed the role of the CSO in Evotec between 1997 and 2004. Throughout his subsequent self-employment he founded several companies of which Topas focuses on the translation of this academic invention from the University Hospital of Hamburg into therapeutic products in the area of autoimmune diseases and allergies. Today Timm is the CEO of Topas Therapeutics.