Enhanced Humoral Immune Response by High Density TLR Agonist Presentation on Hyperbranched Polymers

Prophylactic vaccines often exploit adjuvants to drive potent and directed immune responses. Small-molecule toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists are promising adjuvant candidates; however, the poor pharmacokinetics rapid distribution of these relatively hydrophilic small molecules results in systemic side effects that have limited their usage topical application. In this study, TLR7/8 covalently attached highly dense end-groups hyperbranched polymers synthesized by controlled radical polymerization techniques. Subcutaneous administration a prolonged type I interferon response. When co-administered model subunit vaccine, with ovalbumin or HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120, polymeric potentiate an enhanced immunoglobulin response near-immediate type-switching IgG2c, suggesting they promote strong T helper cell 1 is desirable for treatment intracellular pathogens such as mycobacterial viral infections. Controlling TLR through conjugation polymers, therefore, enables development durable high-quality humoral immunity.