UC Irvine

The innate control of adaptive immunity has been the target of various therapeutics. By the chemical modification of the chemical patterns recognized by the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on innate immune cells, we can further control the systemic immune response. Chemical modifications can be used to control the spatial presentation of multiple TLR agonists by covalent conjugation of two TLR agonists which serve as a synthetic mimic of macromolecular pathogens. Additionally, photocaging of TLR agonists is used to control the spatial and temporal presentation of agonists. These strategies would further provide mechanistic insight in TLR synergy as well as therapeutic insight in modulating the immune response.