T-cell activation by antigen-loaded pH-sensitive hydrogel particles in vivo: the effect of particle size.

ABSTRACT: Polymeric carriers designed to encapsulate protein antigens have great potential for improving the efficacy of vaccines and immunotherapeutics for diseases such as cancer. We recently developed a carrier system based on polyacrylamide hydrogel microparticles cross-linked with acid-labile moieties. After being phagocytosed by antigen-presenting cells, the protein encapsulated within the carrier is released and processed for subsequent presentation of antigenic epitopes. To understand the impact of particle size on the activation of T-cells following uptake by antigen-presenting cells, particles with mean diameters of 3.5 microm and 35 nm encapsulating a model protein antigen were synthesized by emulsion and microemulsion based polymerization techniques, respectively. In vivo tests demonstra

SUBMITTER: Cohen JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2640420 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature