Displaying Tetra-Membrane Spanning Claudins on Enveloped Virus-Like Particles for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Virus-like particles (VLPs) displaying foreign antigens have become an important tool in vaccination including the induction of immune responses against self-antigens. Claudin 6 (CLDN6) has been identified as tumor-associated antigen and is therefore a potential target for tumor vaccination strategies. However, as tetra-membrane spanning protein its incorporation into VLPs while preserving a native fold is challenging.

1-ethyl-3-(6-methylphenanthridine-8-il) urea modulates TLR3/9 activation and induces selective pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in vitro.

We have previously demonstrated the nucleic acid binding capacity of phenanthridine derivatives (PHTs). Because nucleic acids are potent inducers of innate immune response through Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and because PTHs bear a structural resemblance to commonly used synthetic ligands for TLR7/8, we hypothesized that PHTs could modulate/activate immune response. We found that compound M199 induces secretion of IL-6, IL-8 and TNFα in human PBMCs and inhibits TLR3/9 activation in different cellular systems (PBMCs, HEK293 and THP-1 cell lines).