Publications
Twelve peer-reviewed papers across three areas — chemical biology and immunology at Chicago, and neuroimmunology at Harvard. The featured work in each below; full list on Google Scholar.
Trained Immunity
First-author research on how to extend the duration of innate immune memory — and how to use it.
Trained Immunity
First-author study showing that β-glucan released slowly from PLGA nanoparticles extends trained immunity from one week to a month — using only 3.5% of the standard dose. Nanoparticle-trained mice resisted B16F10 melanoma growth more effectively than mice given a full conventional dose.
Ajit J, Cassaidy B, Tang S, Solanki A, Chen Q, Shen J, Esser-Kahn AP. Temporal control of trained immunity via encapsulated release of β-glucan improves therapeutic applications. Adv Healthc Mater. 2022;11(18):e2200819. doi:10.1002/adhm.202200819
Cancer Adjuvants & TLR Heteroagonists
Co-first-author mechanistic work on how covalently linked dual TLR agonists differ from simple mixtures.
Cancer Adjuvants & TLR Heteroagonists
Co-first author. Mechanistic study of six linked TLR-agonist dimers showing that ligand specificity, dose, and the first 30 minutes of receptor kinetics determine whether linkage produces synergy, suppression, or no change at all. Implications for the rational design of subunit vaccine adjuvants. (✱ Co-first authors)
Kimani FW*, Ajit J*, Galluppi A, Manna S, Howitz WJ, Tang S, Esser-Kahn AP. Receptor–ligand kinetics influence the mechanism of action of covalently linked TLR ligands. ACS Chem Biol. 2021;16(2):380-388. doi:10.1021/acschembio.0c00924
Neuroimmunology
Invited review on how sensory neurons regulate immune responses — at the intersection of neuroscience and immunology.
Neuroimmunology
Feature review proposing that nociceptors act as immune rheostats — fine-tuning inflammation, promoting tissue repair, and shaping adaptive immunity in a context-dependent way. Synthesizes findings across infection, allergy, cancer, and tissue homeostasis to reconcile the field's apparent contradictions.
Hanč P, Messou MA, Ajit J, von Andrian UH. Setting the tone: nociceptors as conductors of immune responses. Trends Immunol. 2024;45(10):783-798. doi:10.1016/j.it.2024.08.007