Glucocorticoid-antibody conjugates for selective targeting of immune cells

National Center For Advancing Translational Sciences

Investigators

Abstract

During this period, the collaborative research team has screened for nanobodies able to recognize and bind with CD4 receptor. The nanobodies were characterized for binding to the target protein, using both recombinant protein and cell-based assays. The project team is characterizing the capacity for the nanobodies to be internalized in primary CD4+ cells. In parallel, chemistry efforts have focused on conjugating the glucocorticoid to the nanobody, using a strategy that would liberate the effector compound at the lysosome. The conjugation reactions and purification approaches are being optimized to facilitate creation of the multispecific molecules for dowstream testing. If successful, delivery of glucocorticoids to CD4+ T cells should selectively inhibit the inflammatory response in these cells, avoiding side effects associated with off-tissue activity.