Infections caused by viruses such as HIV and the influenza virus have killed millions of people worldwide. We describe the use of polyvalency to combat viral pathogens. Polyvalent or multivalent interactions involve the simultaneous binding of multiple ligands on one entity to multivalent receptors on another. Synthetic polyvalent molecules, consisting of nanoscale scaffolds presenting multiple copies of suitable ligands can be used to inhibit undesired biological interactions at concentrations that are orders of magnitude lower than the corresponding monovalent ligands. Along these lines, we will describe the design of polyvalent molecules that bind to CCR5, a co-receptor for HIV. These molecules are more potent antagonists of CCR5 than the corresponding monovalent ligands. Synthetic polyvalent molecules can also be used to elicit desired cellular responses (e.g., the activation of an immune response). We will describe the design of nanoscale scaffolds that present antigens polyvalently in a controlled orientation, and discuss their application to design vaccines against viral pathogens.

Developing polyvalent vaccines and therapeutics against viral pathogens

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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