Project Grant R01AI203505

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases awarded the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill $530,480 on September 1, 2026, under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) to develop intravenously administered acetalated dextran microparticles for treating multiple sclerosis.

The recipient will conduct basic and translational research on biopolymeric acetalated dextran microparticles designed to target B cells in vivo and induce antigen-specific tolerance. Preliminary data indicate that intravenously administered microparticles bind almost exclusively to circulating B cells without internalization and, at peak disease in murine models, produce full functional recovery in mice with paraplegia. In vitro studies demonstrate that the microparticles induce IL-10 production by B cells, confirming regulatory B cell generation. Research is organized into three aims: evaluating how polymer properties influence B cell binding and functional effects in vitro and in vivo, including translational studies with human B cells; mechanistically mapping B cell recognition of microparticles via proteomics, lipidomics, and enzymatic analysis; and optimizing particle properties including polymer molecular weight and hydrophobicity.

The award covers a five-year period of performance from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2031, with work performed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill operates through its Office of Sponsored Research as a sub-recipient of the University of North Carolina System Office.