Publications by Kaltrina Paloja

Multivalent Presentation of TCRs on DNA Nanostructures as a Sensitive Probe for pMHC Detection

Kaltrina Paloja, Maartje Martina Cornelia Bastings, Hugo José Rodriguez Franco

Dendritic cells (DCs) are key regulators of immune responses, presenting antigen-derived peptides on major histocompatibility complexes (pMHCs) to T cells for recognition via their T cell receptors (TCRs). Despite the weak intrinsic affinity of the TCR-pMH ...

American Chemical Society (ACS)2025

Exploring the interplay of molecular pattern and valency for selective interactions at the bio-interface

Kaltrina Paloja

Cell-cell communication is fundamental for immune balance. Multivalent interactions of surface receptors at immune interfaces drive specific communication, with stimulatory and inhibitory signals guiding the immune outcome. Notably, the valency, affinity, ...

EPFL2023

Balancing the Nanoscale Organization in Multivalent Materials for Functional Inhibition of the Programmed Death-1 Immune Checkpoint

Kaltrina Paloja, Maartje Martina Cornelia Bastings, Jorieke Weiden

Dendritic cells (DCs) regulate immune priming by expressing programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and PD-L2, which interact with the inhibitory receptor PD-1 on activated T cells. PD-1 signaling regulates T cell effector functions and limits autoimmunity. Tumo ...

Amer Chemical Soc2023

Multivalent Pattern Recognition through Control of Nano-Spacing in Low-Valency Super-Selective Materials

Kaltrina Paloja, Hale Bila, Maartje Martina Cornelia Bastings, Vincenzo Caroprese

Super-selective multivalent ligand-receptor interactions display a signature step-like onset in binding when meeting a characteristic density of target receptors. Materials engineered for super-selective binding generally display a high number of flexible ...

AMER CHEMICAL SOC2022

Probing the importance of valency and spatial organization of immune regulator PD-1 with DNA-based nanomaterials

Kaltrina Paloja, Maartje Martina Cornelia Bastings, Alice Comberlato, Cem Tekin, Jorieke Weiden

WILEY2021

Nucleic acids presenting polymer nanomaterials as vaccine adjuvants

Kaltrina Paloja, Maartje Martina Cornelia Bastings, Alice Comberlato

Most vaccines developed today include only the antigens that best stimulate the immune system rather than the entire virus or microbe, which makes vaccine production and use safer and easier, though they lack potency to induce acceptable immunity and long- ...

Royal Society of Chemistry2019