Biomaterial-based dendritic cell therapy to teach the immune system to tolerate specific antigens
Official title: Engineering Biomaterial-Based Dendritic Cell Therapies for Antigen-Specific Immune Tolerance
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-11446068 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new therapy uses engineered materials to make dendritic cells teach the immune system to tolerate certain autoimmune targets, potentially reducing the need for broad immune suppression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $584,755 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI192491-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11446068 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with autoimmune diseases where restoring antigen-specific tolerance could improve disease control.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions not driven by specific autoantigens or those unable to undergo dendritic cell–based therapies may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create biomaterial formulations that make dendritic cells long-lasting and more likely to promote antigen-specific regulatory T cells. Researchers will test sustained-release microparticles that deliver immunomodulatory signals to generate durable tolerogenic dendritic cells, first in the lab and then in animal models. They will also explore an off-the-shelf, allogeneic option and nanoparticle strategies to direct these cells to lymph nodes where Tregs can be efficiently induced. The goal is a cell-based therapy that can specifically dampen autoimmune responses without widespread immune suppression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide targeted immune tolerance for autoimmune diseases, reducing the need for chronic immunosuppression.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work with tolerogenic dendritic cells has shown promise, but this project seeks to extend durability and specificity using biomaterials, which is a novel advance.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Deak, Peter — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Deak, Peter
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.