1B Immunoengineering a New Frontier - Opportunities and Challenges

Module Overview

  • Course Title: Immunoengineering: A New Frontier

  • Institution: Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering

  • Focus: Exploring opportunities and challenges in immunoengineering.

Immune Response to Biomaterials

  • Applications:

    • Artificial Hip Joint: Involves studying the immune response when biomaterials are used in joint replacements like hip joints.

    • Key Reference:

      • Vasconcelos, DM, et al. (2016). "Immune response and innervation signatures in aseptic hip implant loosening." Journal of Translational Medicine, 14(1), 20.

Tissue Engineering and Regeneration

  • Innovative Approach: Regeneration of teeth using tissue engineering techniques.

    • Key References:

      • Steindorff, MM, et al. (2014). "Innovative approaches to regenerate teeth by tissue engineering." Archives of Oral Biology, 59(2), 158-166.

      • Sadtler, K, et al. (2016). "Design, clinical translation, and immunological response of biomaterials." Nature Reviews Materials, 1, 16040.

Allergy Immune Response

  • Overview: Examination of immune reactions such as those caused by wasp venom.

  • Key Studies:

    • Trindade, RA, et al. (2012). "PLGA microspheres containing bee venom proteins for preventive immunotherapy." International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 423(1), 124-133.

Autoimmune Response

  • Technologies and Devices:

    • Glucose monitoring devices for understanding autoimmune conditions.

  • Key Study Reference:

    • Singha, S, et al. (2017). "Peptide-MHC-based nanomedicines for autoimmunity." Nature Nanotechnology, 12, 701-710.

Immune Response to Pathogens

  • Diagnostic Advancements:

    • Microfluidics: For infectious disease diagnostics.

    • Key Reference:

      • Chin, CD, et al. (2011). "Microfluidics-based diagnostics of infectious diseases in the developing world." Nature Medicine, 17(8), 1015-1019.

Immune Response to Cancer

  • Material Science in Cancer Therapy:

    • Development and use of injectable cryogel-based whole-cell cancer vaccines.

    • Key Reference:

      • Bencherif, SA, et al. (2015). "Injectable cryogel-based whole-cell cancer vaccines." Nature Communications, 6, 7550.

Innovation and Startups in Immunoengineering

  • Market Growth:

    • Several immuno-engineering startups have gone public, raising significant funds for human trials.

    • Examples:

      • Kite Pharma: $134 million (June 2014)

      • Juno Therapeutics: $304 million (Dec 2014)

      • Cellectis: $228 million (March 2015)

Challenges Facing Immunoengineering

  • Key Challenges:

    • Overengineering the immune response: Potential adverse effects due to excessive immune activation.

    • Ineffective cross-communication: Channels for information between immune cells may not function properly.

    • Lack of uniformity: Variability in response to treatments and therapies.

  • Key References:

    • Senior, M. (2017). "CAR-T death strikes Kite." Technology Review.

    • Iwama, S, et al. (2014). "Pituitary expression of CTLA-4 mediates hypophysitis secondary to CTLA-4 blocking antibody." Science Translational Medicine, 6(230), 230ra45-230ra45.