Potential of Ni(II)-NTA-Modified Poly(ethylene imine) Glycopolymers as Carrier System for Future Dendritic Cell-Based Immunotherapy

摘要

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in the development of cell-mediated immunotherapy due to their ability to induce and maintain strong immune responses. In our study, we evaluated a biocompatible Ni(II)-NTA-modified poly(ethylene imine) dendritic glycopolymer (Ni(II)-NTA- DG) as new carrier system to increase the antigen uptake into iDCs for future DC-based immunotherapy. Ni(II)-NTA-DG led to an increase in His6-Gpl60 uptake in monocytes and iDCs, where His6-Gpl60 is localized in the early endosomal and lysosomal compartments, Ni(II)-NTA-DG and the formed polyplexes induced an activation of iDCs, showing an increasing expression of costimulatory molecules CD86, CD80, and proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8. Beside no influencing effect of Ni(II)-NTA-DG and polyplexes on the maturation of antigen-bearing DCs, the mature peptide bearing DCs remained their ability to migrate along a gradient of CCR7 ligands. Thus, Ni(II)-NTA-DG with advancing biological properties is a promising carrier system for the future application in DC-based immunotherapy.