Core-shell Nanofibers with Tunable Dimensions and Mechanics for Targeting Immune Cells in the Intestine – Fitt-In

Oral vaccination offers great potential since it does not require trained personal, avoids the use of needles, and improves compliance of patient. However, vaccination through mucosal routes remains a great challenge. It suffers from low efficiency because the antigens face several severe hurdles by the mucosal barrier before they reach the target immune cells located in the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT). Therefore, the objective of the Fitt-In project is to synthesize polymeric core-shell nanoparticles (NP) with controlled dimensions and tunable mechanical properties, conjugated with specific intestinal M cells- and immunocytes-targeting peptide-ligands that should facilitate the transport of the NP through intestinal M cells and their further interaction with the immune cells in MALT. Together, understanding the role of NP dimensions and the mechanics of specific ligands-conjugated NP, and thereby modulation in their interactions with the mucosal immune system should lay the path towards more efficient oral vaccination.