Sanofi Pasteur Vaxdesign Corporation

Virginia Commonwealth University

Luis Mosquera

William L Warren

Donald Drake

Russell Higbee

Heather Fahlenkamp

Guzman Sanchez-Schmitz

Anatoly Kachurin

Eric Mishkin

Conan Li

John G Tew

Mohey Eldin M El Shikh

Selva Sukumar

Janice Moser

Vaughan Wittman

Tirumalai Kamala

Evan Gomes

Mohey Eldin El Shikh

Donald Iii Drake

In vitro biomimetic models of the neonatal immune system are provided along with methods of using the models in pre-clinical assessment of infant immune cell-mediated and humoral responses to immunogenic stimulation, such as vaccination. The models include one comprising cord blood-derived T follicular helper cells and B cells, and one comprising cord blood-derived dendritic cells and CD4+ T cells. The models can be used, for example, to assess candidate vaccines via analysis of cellular responses to antigen and vaccine exposure.

In vitro neonatal biomimetic (nMIMIC) model and methods of using same

The present invention incorporates germinal centers (GCs) into three-dimensional (3D) engineered tissue constructs (ETCs). In an embodiment, we have incorporated the GC in the design of an artificial immune system (AIS) to examine immune responses to vaccines and other compounds. Development of an in vitro GC adds functionality to an AIS, in that it enables generation of an in vitro human humoral response by human B lymphocytes that is accurate and reproducible, without using human subjects. The invention also permits evaluation of, for example, vaccines, allergens, and immunogens, and activation of human B cells specific for a given antigen, which can then be used to generate human antibodies. In an embodiment of the present invention the function of the in vitro GC is enhanced by placing FDCs and other immune cells in a 3D ETC; FDCs appear more effective over a longer time (antibody production is sustained for up to about 14 days.

Methods for assaying responses to vaccines

Methods of evaluating an immune response to an antigen

In vitro germinal centers

Growing community of inventors

Oviedo, FL, United States of America

Luis Mosquera