Prototypic experimental model of transdermal immunotherapy with recombinant proteins to allergic asthma

Abstract

Asthma is considered a pulmonary allergic inflammatory syndrome, which, in its classic form, is associated with uncontrolled activity of CD4-positive cells called T helper 2 (Th2). Current therapies for asthma are mostly symptomatic, but specific immunotherapy (IT) consisting of continuous administration of increasing doses of allergen is potentially curative. The inconveniences of IT are several, such as the long period of treatment that reduces the adherence to the treatment; possibility of developing life-threatening anaphylaxis and failure to reverse the allergic condition. Recent work has shown that IT with low doses of an allergen associated with CpG, a toll-like receptor (TLR)-9 agonist, given in three doses in a short time interval, was able to reverse established experimental asthma. Furthermore, the use of recombinant allergens has been strongly advocated in IT. The present project aims to develop a prototypical model of IT for allergic asthma with transdermal delivery. Basically, the OVA model of experimental allergic asthma and recombinant OVA will be used, which will be in fusion with a cell penetration peptide (PPC) along with the CpG adjuvant. This new formulation will be applied to the skin using an adhesive. The project will bring together the expertise of two USP institutes, ICB (immunotherapy of allergic asthma) and EACH (recombinant allergens coupled to PPC). (AU)