# Tissue-Targeted Enzyme for Localized Tryptophan Catabolism to Direct Subcutaneous and Oral Mucosal Inflammatory Responses

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 2020 · $464,175

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
There is a considerable need for targeted technologies that direct the immune system for the
controlled suppression of localized inflammation. Programming immune cell metabolism is a new
and active area of investigation with numerous diverse immunotherapy applications. We are
developing an innovative new approach of locally administering a tissue-targeted chimeric
enzyme which catabolize the essential amino acid, tryptophan, and produces kynurenines,
together inducing a powerful immunosuppressive metabolic programming. The chosen tissue
targeting domain confers prolonged tissue retention, and the enzymatic activity can block local
inflammation for an extended time. We are applying this technology for the amelioration of
periodontal disease, in which localized non-resolving chronic inflammation is associated with a
shift away from a submucosal environment rich in tolerance toward one of inflammation consisting
of Th1 and Th17 T cells at the expense of regulatory T cells.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9964761
- **Project number:** 5R01DE027301-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** Benjamin George Keselowsky
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $464,175
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-08-01 → 2021-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9964761

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9964761, Tissue-Targeted Enzyme for Localized Tryptophan Catabolism to Direct Subcutaneous and Oral Mucosal Inflammatory Responses (5R01DE027301-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9964761. Licensed CC0.

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