Tregeutix (pronounced ti·rəˈgyoo·tiks or trəˈgyoo·tiks) is advancing unique, first-in-kind antigen-specific immunotherapeutic approaches by addressing how microbiota derived antigen cross-reactivity maintains full and complete repertoire of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) essential for health.

Sanofi Pasteur VaxDesign is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sanofi Pasteur (the vaccines division of Sanofi) developing fully human in vitro immunological testbeds for vaccine and biologics evaluation.

Research Projects• Researched and worked out procedures for establishing in vitro “bone marrow” culture supporting propagation and maintenance of human long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs residing in bone marrow are primary responsible for maintaining protective titre of serum antibodies after vaccination. However, prior attempts to develop fully in vitro system that supports propagation and maintenance of LLPCs has been technically challenging). • Explored ways to optimize human antigen-specific B cell activation assay (as a readout to study vaccine-derived antigen and its adjuvant immunogenicity).• Experimented with B cell receptor associated Syk phosphorylation assay as an immunogenicity readout (Syk tyrosine kinase is a critical component of B cell receptor signaling machinery).• Trained and supervised research associates and technicians in the laboratory techniques and good research practices.

Research Projects• Designed a novel assay that revealed mechanism of immunosuppression by TC-83 vaccine (TC-83 is an experimental live-attenuated vaccine strain of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, VEEV. However, in human trials TC-83 vaccine showed unexplained adverse side effects, including immunosuppression. It does not have FDA approval). • Conducted experiments with magnetically purified and EBV-transformed human VH1-69+ B cells specific for Flu stem region (VH1-69+ B cells are source of universal anti-Flu antibodies).• Explored ways to optimize of human naive and memory B cell polyclonal activation assay (high antibody yield would enable to detect antigen-specific immune response after vaccination).• Successfully developed human NK cell mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay against antigen-transduced targets, such as CD52 (alemtuzumab), Flu HA antigen (some of the immunotherapeutic antibodies target tumor cells via ADCC).

Notable AccomplishmentsNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) is one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It conducts and supports basic and applied research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. • Collaborated with the Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML), Genomics Unit, to design and conduct a statistically-valid sampling of short-term and long-term stimulated CD8 T effector cells for kinetic gene expression microarray analysis.• Promoted research group's scientific education and encouraged open discussion by introducing novel journal club, Blitz, 30 min presentation, conducting twice a week with the emphasis on studies that showed (a) unexpected finding (b) produced contradictory results to the prevailing dogma (c) provided novel explanations of the known observations.

Research Projects• Explored mechanisms of mouse CD8 T cell effector differentiation (CD8 T cells primary responsible for elimination of infected cells and tumors).• Experimented with mouse CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cell differentiation (CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells are special subset of CD4 T cells primary responsible for maintaining tolerance to self-antigens). • Worked out conditions to detect Th1-promoting heterodimeric IL-12p70 cytokine in mouse dendritic cells (IL-12p70 is a major cytokine that drives Th1 and cytotoxic CD8 T cell differentiation and plays crucial role in immunity against intracellular pathogens and tumors). • Initiated development of in vitro mouse neonatal organotypic hippocampal slice / T cell co-culture system (neural-immune interface to study immune response in immunoprivileged sites).