# Mechanistic evaluation of mast cell agonists combined with TLR, NOD and STING agonists.

> **NIH AI R01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2026 · $619,591

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Subunit vaccines are safer and can more broadly be applied across the population then other vaccine
formulations such as live-attenuated. However, subunit antigens are often poorly antigenic and require
formulation with an immune stimulating adjuvant to garner protection. Additionally, some vaccines require more
than one adjuvant, necessitating combined adjuvants to stimulate a protective response. Also, a combined
adjuvant could decrease vaccination boosts and provide longer protection. One avenue to evaluate combined
adjuvants is with mast cell (MC) agonists. MCs are throughout the body and reside at many interfaces of the
host and the environment. When activated MCs recruit monocytes and leukocytes to the local area and help to
promote an adaptive response. MC agonists combined with toll-like receptor (TLR), nucleotide-binding
oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD-2), or stimulators of interferon genes (STING) agonists should
elicit not only a humoral response, but also a cellular response to create an efficacious and effective vaccine.
Herein we will evaluate combined MC agonists with TLR, NOD-2 or STING agonist to identify synergistic pairs.
Pairs will be evaluated in mice and human cells as well as with cells from collaborative cross (CC) strains. The
CC strains are a large panel of recombinant inbred mouse strains with genetic variation that can mimic the
human population as well as give insight into genetic variables that contribute to adjuvant mechanism. To ensure
that the adjuvants are co-delivered as well as offer dose sparring, storage outside the cold chain and controlled
release of adjuvant, we will formulate them into acetalated dextran (Ac-DEX) microparticles. Ac-DEX
formulations have illustrated enhanced delivery of STING, NOD-2, TLR and MC agonists in vitro and in vivo,
above that of other carriers like liposomes or PLGA particles. The best identified adjuvant combination will be
evaluated in a mouse model of a vaccinia vaccine 

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11247131
- **Project number:** 5R01AI167099-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Kristy M Ainslie
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** AI
- **Fiscal year:** 2026
- **Award amount:** $619,591
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-01-03T00:00:00 → 2027-12-31T00:00:00

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11247131

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11247131, Mechanistic evaluation of mast cell agonists combined with TLR, NOD and STING agonists. (5R01AI167099-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-17 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11247131. Licensed CC0.

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