Microparticles formulated from a family of novel silylated polysaccharides demonstrate inherent immunostimulatory properties and tunable hydrolytic degradability.

Acid-degradable polymers are well-suited for use as drug delivery vehicles because numerous physiological sites (e.g., intracellular endocytic pathway) are acidic.

Needle-Free Delivery of Acetalated Dextran-Encapsulated AR-12 Protects Mice from Francisella tularensis Lethal Challenge.

Francisella tularensiscauses tularemia and is a potential biothreat. Given the limited antibiotics for treating tularemia and the possible use of antibiotic-resistant strains as a biowarfare agent, new antibacterial agents are needed. AR-12 is an FDA-approved investigational new drug (IND) compound that induces autophagy and has shown host-directed, broad-spectrum activityin vitroagainstSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium andF.

Acetalated dextran encapsulated AR-12 as a host-directed therapy to control Salmonella infection.

AR-12 has been evaluated in clinical trials as an anti-cancer agent but also has demonstrated host-directed, broad-spectrum clearance of bacteria. We have previously shown that AR-12 has activity in vitro against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Francisella species by inducing autophagy and other host immune pathways. AR-12 treatment of S.

Electrospun acetalated dextran scaffolds for temporal release of therapeutics.

Electrospun acetalated dextran (Ac-DEX) scaffolds were fabricated to encapsulate resiquimod, an immunomodulatory toll-like-receptor (TLR) agonist. Ac-DEX has been used to fabricate scaffolds for sustained and temporal delivery of therapeutics because it has tunable degradation rates that are dependent on its synthesis reaction time or the molecular weight of dextran. Additionally, as opposed to commonly electrospun polyesters that shift the local pH upon degradation, the degradation products of Ac-DEX are pH-neutral: dextran, an alcohol, and the metabolic byproduct acetone.

Rapid vaccination using an acetalated dextran microparticulate subunit vaccine confers protection against triplicate challenge by bacillus anthracis.

Purpose: A rapid immune response is required to prevent death from Anthrax, caused by Bacillus anthracis.

Method: We formulated a vaccine carrier comprised of acetalated dextran microparticles encapsulating recombinant protective antigen (rPA) and resiquimod (a toll-like receptor 7/8 agonist).

Results: We were able to protect against triplicate lethal challenge by vaccinating twice (Days 0, 7) and then aggressively challenging on Days 14, 21, 28.